Vietnamese film Memoryland being screened at Berlinale
“Mien Ky Uc” (Memoryland), a film by director Bui Kim Quy, is being screened at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) taking place from February 10 – 20.
A still from Memoryland by Bui Kim Quy. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – “Mien Ky Uc” (Memoryland), a film by directorBui Kim Quy, is being screened at the 72nd Berlin International FilmFestival (Berlinale) taking place from February 10 – 20.
Charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Vietnam in Germany DangChung Thuy was among the audience at its premiere at the Berlinale on February14.
Memoryland opens with the death of a mother. Although herheartbeat stops, her consciousness continues worrying about her son andblessing him. Her neighbour digs a grave near the house in the field for her,but the son insists on cremation. Because he does not receive much in the wayof inheritance, he must be careful budgeting the funeral.
At the centre of the episodically linked stories in “Memoryland”stands death and all the rituals that accompany the end of life, according tothe festival’s official website. “Such rituals are intended for the peace ofboth the dead and the living, but even they are not left untouched by changesin society.”
“Change is also made perceptible through the juxtapositionof rural and urban life: on the one hand Hanoi, with its countless constructionsites and constant stream of cars; on the other the almost abandoned, run-downvillage. The old life still exists, but only in the land of memories.”
Mai Nguyen, Director of Munich-based Scarlet Visions, one ofthe Memoryland producer, said the movie highlights the differences betweenurban and rural life. It reminds those leaving villages to pursue their dreams,study, work or a better life in the cities of the customs and traditions ofwhere they were born and grew up, she said.
In this year’s Berlinale, the 99-minute film is vying in the“Forum” category. There will be five screenings of the film at five differentmovie theatres in Berlin from February 14 – 19.
After Berlinale, “Memoryland” will compete at Doc Fortnight,an annual international festival for nonfiction films, in New York, the US atthe end of this month, Mai added.
Quy is a writer and director who studied screenwriting atthe Hanoi Academy of Theater and Cinema. She writes scripts for films as wellas television. Quy is the director of some short films including Mattress(2002), Why Is There No Moon While The Daytime (2006), and The New Year's Eve(2006).
Founded in 1951, Berlinale is one of the three oldest andmost prestigious international film festivals in the world, along with France'sCannes Film Festival and Italy's Venice Film Festival. It is attended by morethan 250 films by 69 countries and territories this year./.
“Mien Ky Uc” (Memoryland), a film by director Bui Kim Quy, will represent Vietnam to compete at this year’s Busan International Film Festival in the Republic of Korea next month.
A Vietnamese film named 'Mien ky uc' (Memoryland) by director Bui Kim Quy will vie for a prize in the Forum category at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) which is scheduled to take place from February 10 to 16 in the in-person format.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
A still from Memoryland by Bui Kim Quy. (Photo: VNA)
