Two Central Documentary and Scientific Film Studio screenwriters have lodged a complaint against a director who nominated three films written by them for State Awards.
A scene from the film “The hardship of sand”
The dispute started after the website of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced a list of individuals who are candidates for this year’s State Awards, including Director Nguyen Thuoc from the Central Documentary and Scientific Film Studio.
The screenwriters Phan Huyen Thi and Phan Thanh Tu strongly objected to film director Thuoc’s decision to nominate three films “The hardship of sand”, “Brain” and “@ citizens” for the prestigious State Awards without informing them.
Screenwriter opposition
Phan Thanh Tu was the screenwriter for “The hardship of sand”, while Phan Huyen Thu wrote the commentary. The film brought Tu the Golden Lotus Prize for most outstanding screenwriter at the 14th Vietnam Film Festival in 2004.
With the film “Brain”, Huyen Thu received the prize for the best scriptwriter at the 16th Vietnam Film Festival in 2010. She was also the screenwriter for “@ citizens”.
Huyen Thu complained, “Despite being the director of these films, Thuoc didn’t win any prizes as director, while both I and Thanh Tu won the national Golden Lotus Prize for best scripts. How can he be qualified to nominate these films for the State Awards in the role of director?”
“I decided to file a complaint against Thuoc because he doesn’t deserve a State Award. I myself see nothing special in these films to be worthy of the prize” Huyen Thu said.
She also noted that, “Thuoc sent the films to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s evaluation council for the State Awards without informing either myself or Phan Thanh Tu, nor anyone else on the film crew,” adding that this revealed Thuoc’s lack of respect for his colleagues.
Director’s defence
Director Nguyen Thuoc responded by saying he respected the screenwriters, but the journey from screenplay to final cut was a process which needed the joint efforts of the whole film crew.
“I think that no one should consider themselves the most important person in the production of a film. I only entered the film for consideration based on my efforts as director,” He noted.
“Phan Huyen Thu and Phan Thanh Tu have reacted because they do not understand the criteria used to select a work for the State Awards. Before 2000, the awards were only for screenwriters, but that changed in 2005. From 2007 onwards directors were considered for the awards, including People’s Artist Bui Dinh Hac, who was granted the Ho Chi Minh Award and Meritorious Artist Thanh Van who won a State Award,” the director said.
Thuoc said screenwriter Phan Thanh Tu thought that if he nominated the film “The hardship of sand” for the State Awards, there would be no chance for her to win any prizes from the film later. But this is a misunderstanding because she could apply for any prize she wanted.
He expressed his disappointment at the two screenwriters’ behaviour and emphasised that he hadn’t broken any laws.
“They should have been told me or raised their complaints with the Central Documentary and Scientific Film Studio’s management board to avoid a dispute. This is unprecedented in our studio,” he said.
Screenwriters disadvantaged
Speaking with DTiNews, Nguyen Thi Hong Ngat, member of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s evaluation council for the titles of People’s Artist and Meritorious Artist, said “I think that screenwriters are at a disadvantage. Under current regulations, they have to submit documentation to seek artist titles to the Vietnam Writers’ Association, not to the agencies where they work, although these agencies understand their capabilities far more, and the association typically cares more about poets and writers.”
Since 2005, a host of directors have won both Ho Chi Minh and State Awards. This year, they can apply for the coveted artist titles and the State Awards, which revealed their greater opportunities compared to screenwriters, she added.
According to her, Nguyen Thuoc’s decision to nominate the three films for State Awards was entirely lawful, as under new regulations, directors did not need to have won any individual prizes, as long as their films have been granted a national prize.
The State Awards and Ho Chi Minh Awards are national prizes presented for outstanding scientific, technical, educational, literary or artistic works that have had a major impact on society. The awards are presented every five years on occasion of Vietnam Liberation Day, September 2. The State Awards are presented every two years on the same day.
Director Nguyen Thuoc
Screenwriter Phan Huyen Thu
