Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — One of Việt Nam’s most famous literary works, masterpiece Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kiều), will be adapted into a TV series by renowned film director Lưu Trọng Ninh. Ninh, who is known for several award-winning movies and most-watched TV series, including Bến Không Chồng (Wharf of Widows), Canh Bạc (The Gamble), Hãy Tha Thứ Cho Em (Please Forgive Me), Dốc Tình (Give You All My Love) and Hoa Cỏ May (Flower of Grass), recently held auditions for actors in the series in Hà Nội and HCM City. Auditions will continue to be held in other provinces until the director finds the best cast. Talking about the series, the 62-year-old director said he was motivated by his late father, well-known poet, writer and playwriter Lưu Trọng Lư. “Actually, I never thought I would throw myself in this challenging project. … [Read more...]
TV series captures spotlight at national film festival
TV series captures spotlight at national film festival (16-02-2009) by Anh Thu Looney tunes: A scene from the 2008 Golden Kite award nominee, Bong Dung Muon Khoc. — File Photo HCM CITY — For the first time, television series are on par with movies at the Golden Kite awards. This year, 24 television shows have been nominated for the prestigious awards, which are presented by the Viet Nam Cinematography Association in Ha Noi. Previously, it was an unwritten rule that only celluloid films were highlighted at the awards show. This year, however, TV series are expected to break with that tradition. While the jury is still working hard to determine the winners, people are predicting wins for two TV series – Bong Dung Muon Khoc (Want to Cry by Chance) and Gio Lang Kinh (The Wind of Kinh Village). Bong Dung Muon Khoc, which is produced by HCM City-based BHD Studio Company, was aiming to attract a young audience rather than cater to the jury’s tastes. However, … [Read more...]
TV series to be re-edited to lessen resemblance to Chinese drama
A recently completed television series on King Ly Cong Uan is awaiting permission from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before it can be aired, after a controversy erupted surrounding the series' similarities to earlier Chinese television series. Borrowed costumes: Actors Pham Tien Loc (right, as Ly Cong Uan) and Pham Anh Dung are seen in the controversial TV series Ly Cong Uan: Duong Toi Thanh Thang Long. — File Photo Le Ngoc Minh, deputy head of the ministry's cinematography department, confirmed that the assessment panel had not made the final decision to permit the series entitled Ly Cong Uan: Duong Toi Thanh Thang Long (Ly Cong Uan: Road to Thang Long Citadel) to be broadcast in Viet Nam. "Many of the scenes were shot in China. That's why many people think that the film is similar to a Chinese product," said Khuat Duy Tan, head of the department's film distribution section. Dinh Xuan Dung, a member of the jury, said that he had viewed the entire series and found … [Read more...]
TV series promotes green issues
A TV series entitled Go Green will be broadcast in a new format on VTV1 from next Tuesday, with an aim to raise awareness on environmental issues and protection. Go Green, initiated by Toyota Motor Viet Nam (TMV) in collaboration with the Viet Nam Environment Protection Agency and the Ministry of Education and Training, has been on the air since October of last year. The short film serial is expected to educate and raise public awareness about environmental issues. The film targets the younger generation by supporting activities to protect the environment. Go Green is a reality TV-style show, with messages directed towards viewers in a gentle and personal manner. Each episode tells the story of three main characters who discover the environment around them and become involved in protecting it, calling on other young people to join the Go Green programme. With its humorous situations and real life scenarios, the show is certain to attract plenty of viewers. In its new format, the … [Read more...]
TV series salutes founder of Ha Noi
The first scene of Ve Dat Thang Long (Arrival in Thang Long), another TV series that celebrates the 1,000th anniversary of Ha Noi, was shot outdoors last weekend at Dong Nai Province’s Long Thanh District. The project was shot by M&T Pictures at the commission of HCM City Television (HTV) as a tribute to the capital from the country’ largest city, HCM City. The story is based on a few lines about King Ly Thai To in the famous Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu (The Complete History of Dai Viet), compiled by historian Ngo Sy Lien under the Tran dynasty around 700 years ago. Scriptwriter Pham Thuy Nhan has developed an action-packed 40-episode plot. It chronicles the historical period from the first years of the 11th century under the reign of King Le Long Dinh, described by historians as one of the country’s most atrocious rulers, to 1010 when King Ly Thai To decided to move the capital to Thang Long, now Ha Noi. That move marked the beginning of the country’s glorious … [Read more...]
New TV series targets teenagers
Local film studios are taking a cue from last year’s successful run of TV shows for children and creating several new programmes for the teenage market. The TV series Nu Sinh (Schoolgirls), produced by HCM City Television Film Studio, is near completion, series’ director Xuan Phuoc said. The 10-episode series, which contains humour, language, and music that teens will find appealing, is adapted from the short stories of writer Nguyen Nhat Anh. The series’ director invited several college students and the young singer Quang Vinh to play roles in Schoolgirls. "The presence of new faces as well as Vinh, who is a favourite male singer among teens, will pull in viewers," Phuoc said. HCM City Television (HTV) is also currently making a sequel to the popular series Kinh Van Hoa (Kaleidoscope). The series contains 30 episodes, of which 20 were screened in the summer of 2005 and 2006. The series is about two teenage characters, Quy (played by Ngoc Trai) and Tieu Long (Vu … [Read more...]
Vietnamese singer to appear in TV series
Vietnamese music stars will appear with Chinese movie stars in the 36 episode TV-series ‘The Lucky Lawyer’, which is scheduled to broadcast on the Guangdong channel in 2009. This is a joint-venture project of the Vietnam Feature Film Studio, Nghiep Thang Advertising Production Co. Ltd. and the Song Lei Corporation. The TV series is based on early 20th Century Guangdong stories about the legendary lawyer, Cheng Meng Sha. Cheng was well-educated, intelligent, eloquent and funny. The series will draw a picture of his society and some of his achievements. Every 50 minute episode will be a challenge for Cheng to seek justice to be done. Cheng is always accompanied by his guard and Ms. Meng Fei Fei, a female singer. The TV series has attracted actors and actresses from both Vietnam and China. The three Vietnamese actors are Nguyen Vu (Cheng’s guard - photo), Phi Nhung (Ms. Meng Fei Fei) and Nguyet Hang (Ms. Meng Fei Fei in childhood). Cheng will be played by Chinese … [Read more...]
TV series captures spotlight at national film festiva
For the first time, television series are on par with movies at the Golden Kite awards. This year, 24 television shows have been nominated for the prestigious awards, which are presented by the Viet Nam Cinematography Association in Ha Noi. Previously, it was an unwritten rule that only celluloid films were highlighted at the awards show. This year, however, TV series are expected to break with that tradition. While the jury is still working hard to determine the winners, people are predicting wins for two TV series - Bong Dung Muon Khoc (Want to Cry by Chance) and Gio Lang Kinh (The Wind of Kinh Village). Bong Dung Muon Khoc , which is produced by HCM City-based BHD Studio Company, was aiming to attract a young audience rather than cater to the jury’s tastes. However, it nonetheless has a good chance to capture the top award for a TV series. The 36-part work featuring the life of urban youth is also expected to take home the award for best direction. Before being submitted to … [Read more...]
Starlet and diva to duel for leading role in TV series
Singer Nhat Kim Anh will compete with actress Dieu Huong for the female lead in Vietnam’s largest TV project. After Miss Universe Vietnam runner-up Duong Truong Thien Ly left the set of Thai su Tran Thu Do (Royal Chancellor Tran Thu Do) due to “suggestive scenes,” Vietnam’s most expensive TV show has been scrambling to fill the void. Feature Film Studio No.1 then decided to carry out a nationwide casting call to choose the next Queen Tran Thi Dung for the historical epic. Nhat Kim Anh and Dieu Huong have been chosen as the finalists. “If chosen, I’ll put my music plans aside and devote myself entirely to the film,” said Kim Anh, a popular singer who has only recently begun her acting career with supporting TV roles. Huong also said she really wanted the part. “It would be a great opportunity for my career since this is a historical, romantic series with experienced filmmakers.” Kim Anh and Dieu Huong went with the film company last … [Read more...]
Showbiz stars’ struggles get a TV series
Showbiz stars' struggles get a TV series A series on the struggles and tribulations entertainers overcome to become stars begins next week on Viet Nam Television. Nguyen Duc Viet, who made the 30-episode Buoc Nhay Hoan Vu (Dancing with the Stars) – a joint production by VTV and Cat Tien Sa Company – got the idea for the series from the TV reality show of the same name that has been popular in Viet Nam for the last several years. Viet says the series focuses on the efforts of young artists to reach the limelight. It analyses the making of the reality dancing show in which 10 celebrities are paired with professional ballroom dancers in a contest, and takes a look backstage at the stars who take part. Viet said the contestants of the Buoc Nhay Hoan Vu show in 2013 were his first choice for the film. He chose singer Yen Trang, who won the show in 2013 and is also well-known for her negative characters in movies like Cong Chua Teen va Ngu Ho Tuong (Teenage Princess and Five … [Read more...]