ASEAN Film Week 2020 ceremoniously opened in Hanoi

On July 18^th, 2020, the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Film Week 2020-one of the events within the framework of Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship with the theme of "ASEAN cohesive and responsive"- was ceremoniously held at the National Cinema Center, Ha Noi. Distinguished guests at the ceremony include H.E Mr. Ta Quang Dong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; Mr. Vi Kien Thanh, Director General of Viet Nam Cinema Department, Head of the Organizing Committee of the ASEAN Film Week 2020; Mr. Le Ngoc Dinh, Deputy Director General of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and representatives of ASEAN Member States in Viet Nam; representatives from ASEAN 2020 National Committee and Ministries and departments; representatives from foreign cultural centers in Viet Nam; Vietnamese and foreign media agencies and movie lovers in Ha Noi. 

Addressing the Opening Ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dongaffirmed that the ASEAN Film Week 2020 was an important cultural event to celebrate Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship aiming at introducing and promoting ASEAN Member States’ cultures, traditions, lifestyle and people; enhancing mutual understanding and cohesion among our people; making contribution to expanding economic cooperation, investment and tourism development etc. Despite the complication of COVID-19 and difficulties resulted from the epidemic, ASEAN member countries have enthusiastically participated in the Film Week, showcasing their special interests in the cultural event hosted by Viet Nam within the framework of Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship. Culture has play a significant role that contributes to connecting ASEAN member countries, creating close solidarity, affirming ASEAN Community’s spirit and strength in coping and resolving difficulties and challenges as well as effectively taking advantage of opportunities for further development, asserting the central role of ASEAN in the processes of regional and international dialogue and cooperation in the coming time.

Movies screened at the ASEAN Film Week 2020 include “Ranggau, Thousand Incarnations” of Brunei,“Young Love” of Cambodia, “Aruna Dan Lidahnya” of Indonesia, “Expiration Date” of Laos, “Ejen Ali the Movie” of Malaysia, “Women of the Weeping River” of the Philippines, “The Wayang Kids” of Singapore, “App War” of Thailand and “The Happiness of a Mother” of Viet Nam. Vietnamese representation “The Happiness of a Mother” which was screened at the Opening Ceremony, had won the 2019 Golden Kite Award and participated at the 59^th Asia-Pacific Film Festival in January 2020 in Macau (China). 

After the Opening Ceremony, ASEAN Film Week 2020 will continue the screenings of ASEAN countries’ movies in Ha Noi (18-22 July 2020, National Cinema Center), Da Nang (19-26 July 2020, Le Do Theater) and Ho Chi Minh City (22-26 July 2020, Cinestar Hai Bà Trưng), the three major cities where important events in Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship will be held. Tickets are available from 13 July 2020 at National Cinema Center, Ha Noi from 11 July 2020 at Le Do Theater, Da Nang and from 17 July 2020 at CineStar Hai Bà Trưng, Ho Chi Minh City. 

Trinh Quoc Anh