Critics have tipped one of the many historical films nominated to win this year\'s national Golden Kite awards.
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| A poster for Khat Vong Thang |
This year, 11 films, including five historical features have been nominated for the celluloid category in the prestigious awards, which are presented by the Viet Nam Cinematography Association in HCM City on Sunday.
While the jury began its work to sort through the entries, insiders are predicting wins for two films – Vuot Qua Ben Thuong Hai (Crossing the Shanghai Port) and Khat Vong Thang Long (Thang Long Aspiration).
The VND16 billion Vuot Qua Ben Thuong Hai by the Viet Nam Cinematography Association\'s Film Studio and its Chinese partner, Zhoujiang Film Studio, was aimed at the jury rather than the public. Nonetheless, the film with its visual and sound effects, it could become popular.
Based on a screenplay by Vietnamese writers, Ha Pham Phu and Le Ngoc Minh, and Chinese author Jia Fei, the film portrays the life of Nguyen Ai Quoc, as the late President Ho Chi Minh called himself.
It recounts the president\'s time as a revolutionary in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 1933 and 1934, before he moved to Vladivostock, Russia.
The biopic is expected to take home the award for best movie.
Before being submitted for a Golden Kite, Vuot Qua Ben Thuong Hai was received well by audiences during its release last year in cinemas.
"It provides a deeper understanding of the spirit and revolutionary cause of the leader in Viet Nam history," said Trieu Tuan, the film\'s director.
"My crew worked hard to bring the story to life," he added.
Many of the film\'s scenes were completed in China\'s Hengdian Film Studios in Zhejiang Province, and in Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam and Nghe An provinces.
The other Golden Kite nominee, Khat Vong Thang Long is on the life of King Ly Thai To, who moved the capital from Hoa Lu (now in the northern province of Ninh Binh Province) to Thang Long (today\'s Ha Noi).
The producer, Ky Nguyen Sang Company, released the film to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi last year.
They spent four months doing the casting, holding auditions across the country.
More than 3,000 young actors auditioned for the leading role of King Ly Thai To. Finally, the role was given to a new face, fashion model Quach Ngoc Ngoan.
The film\'s director Luu Trong Ninh wanted to make a quality historical film that would appeal to young audiences.
Ninh is one of the nominees for the best director award.
Ngoan was nominated for the award of promising young talent.
The four remaining historical films for the Golden Kite top movie award all revolve around the tried and trusted theme of war and peace.
Love is also covered in the six commercial nominations, including BHD Film Company\'s Co Dau Dai Chien (Bride War) and Phuoc Sang Film Studio\'s Thien Su... 99 (The Cherub... 99).
The 2010 Golden Kites will present awards for the best works in five categories: movies, video film, short films, cartoons, scientific films, and cinematography research.
The organisers received 89 entries for the awards. The jury includes veteran directors and cameramen such as Tran Luan Kim and Bui Tuan Dung.
The award presenting ceremony will take place in HCM City on Sunday.