Clutch of new movies on the way

Thrilling times: A poster for Lenh Xoa So (Death Sentence) which will open nationwide in April.

HCM CITY — Film studios are working on a raft of new projects, including comedy, action, and horror films, that are slated for release this year.

Things are all set for Thien Ngan (Galaxy), Viet Nam Studio (BHD), and Early Riser Media Group to begin shooting an action-comedy movie about a switch between a rural man and the leader of a crime gang at the end of this month.

Long Ruoi (Fly Long), the eponymous title named for the gang boss, will be directed by Vietnamese-American Charlie Nguyen.

A poor cook from the countryside, Teo, looks so much like the Sai Gon gang boss that the latter's men force him to act as their leader who is in hospital after a fight with rivals.

Teo has to constantly ward off conspiracies to assassinate him.

Nguyen said he and his crew are working to create a "new style" for the film since many films have been made earlier in this genre.

The film features Thai Hoa, who plays Teo and Long Ruoi. Hoa came to prominence last year after playing a gay man in another Galaxy Studio film De Mai Tinh (It's Up to Mai).

Long Ruoi is expected to be released on National Day, September 2, a Galaxy spokesperson said.

Hoang Tran Film is making an action flick about gangsters, Lenh Xoa So (Death Sentence). It will have plenty of thrilling fight sequences featuring traditional Vietnamese martial arts, its director Do Quang Minh said.

It features overseas Vietnamese martial arts star Tran Minh Hoang, who won many European taekwondo and Thai boxing championships, who is also the producer and martial arts director.

A former member of a criminal gang, Hoang, turns a new leaf and quits his old ways but has to contend with the "death sentence" passed by the gang's leader.

Filming finished at the end of January and BHD will release it in April.

Galaxy Studio is making a supernatural thriller Rh108 which is being directed by Bui Thac Chuyen, who is also one of its scriptwriters along with Bui Kim Quy, winner of the top prize at the 2004 National Short Film Festival.

The film is about Chieu Duong, a 16-year-old girl who has the mental make-up of a six-year-old following a traumatic incident during her childhood.

However, the incident has given her strange powers – she has the ability to read people's minds and foretell terrible disasters.

Nguyen Thuy Duong, daughter of veteran actress Mai Phuong – famous for her role in the 1983 film Son Ca Trong Thanh Pho (Nightingale in the City) – will play the role of her namesake.

"Duong's face and body language match the character's, while she also passed the screen test," the director said.

Duong said though it was difficult to fit in the filming with her school schedule, Chieu Duong's role was worth the challenge.

She earlier acted in two TV series, May Rau Lam Vo (A Man-Wife) and Con Duong Phia Truoc (The Road Ahead).

Galaxy expects to release the film for Halloween in October. — VNS

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The ancient art of catfighting

If you grew up on a daily diet of Tom and Jerry cartoons, you’d be surprised to know the forerunners of the clumsy, outwitted Tom to have actually provided an inspiration for ancient Vietnamese to create a form of martial art called vo meo (the cat kung fu).

Cat kung fu is a style of fighting adapted from the cat’s postures and movements and as such, it elevates the status of the cat to that of other awe-inspiring animals, such as the tiger, dragon and eagle after which animals many world-famous styles of martial arts have been named.

A cat’s strengths lie in its flexibility and agility, allowing it to move swiftly and noiselessly and launch quick attacks with its sharp claws and lightning-speed slaps. Observing its swift movements and formidable postures in fighting other animals and hunting mice has led some ancient Vietnamese martial art experts to invent the cat-like style of fighting, which survives and is still practiced in the country today.

A leaf from the book of life

The existence of cat kung fu is well-known to many in the world of professional martial arts but researchers need more than just anecdotal evidence to confirm its existence.

As an expert on the traditional Vietnamese martial arts, I have researched documents and exhibits in museums and libraries, and examined martial art postures related to the cat in many different schools of martial arts in Vietnam. I have discovered that the cat kung fu appeared very early in our country.

Ancient Vietnamese were good at self-protection because they had to fight against savage animals, thieves, robbers, and other enemies. In the beginning, their kung fu was based mostly on everyday activities such as hunting animals, climbing trees, plowing land, and rowing boats. At the same time, they observed how certain animals hunted their prey and then imitated their postures and movements. Not surprisingly, they did not neglect the cat, a skilled hunter and a familiar household animal to them.

To the ancient people, cats were an extremely smart and faithful animal that were loved and treated as a friend in the family. Their effective hunting skills and special fighting style gave ancient Vietnamese an idea about developing a style of fighting that captures the cat’s strengths -- quick attack, quiet retreat, sharp observation, high jumping, fast running, effortless movements and extremely nimble postures.

The cat-like fighting style, existing in a preliminary form next to other animal-based forms of kung fu, such as the tigers, monkeys, snakes, became a vital instrument for ancient Vietnamese to deal with dangers and challenges. Over time, the postures and movements of the cat were systematized and developed into a full-fledged form of martial arts.

In fact, the cat kung fu helped to diversify the many Vietnamese schools of fighting and enrich the national treasure of traditional martial arts.

Degeneration and loss due to oral teaching

The majority of martial art exercises adapted from animals were mainly taught orally and many of them have been lost after thousands of years not being collected and preserved. As the masters of the cat kung fu passed away over time, this form of martial art gradually became lost or degenerated into many inaccurate versions.

Today, drilling techniques in the art of cat fighting are rare and little known to the public. According to experts, “Mieu tay dien” (the cat washing its face) is perhaps among the earliest cat kung fu exercise that survives in Vietnam.

In 1965, I studied the cat kung fu with two martial art masters Huyen An and Nghia Hiep, and later watched Quach Cang, Ta Canh Tham and some other martial art teachers in Binh Dinh Province perform “Mieu tay dien.” This exercise consists of 32 acts, requiring great coordination between the arms and legs.

Techniques of moving, attacking, retreating, evading or neutralizing the opponent’s offense almost make no noise, approaching the movement of a falling leaf in midair. They marshal a person’s both internal and external strengths and are crystallized in the “soft but not weak, hard but not broken” principle.

The formal feline exercises in fighting not only serve the practitioners well in all situations, both in offense and defense, but also contribute to improving their strength and health.

Although the cat’s martial art enjoys less popularity today, its drilling techniques and exercises are still collected and preserved at many martial art centers. The martial art centers of Ha Trong Ngu and Ha Trong Khanh in Ho Chi Minh City’s Go Vap District perpetuate and teach students some typical lessons in the cat-style of kung fu such as “Linh mieu doc chien” (Sacred cat fighting alone) and “Bach mieu quyen” (White cat’s fists).

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Ancient martial arts school under renovation

THUA THIEN-HUE — A VND1-billion (US$50,000) renovation project on the Xien Vo Temple in the ancient capital of Hue has been launched by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre.

The project, which deals with the temple's main compartment and two wings, is expected to be completed by October.

The building, also called Vo Ban Temple, was used as a martial arts teaching facility for children of high-ranking mandarins under King Minh Mang (1820-40).

Recognised as a provincial historical and architectural vestige in 2006, the temple presents features of a ruong house – a typical wooden house that once dominated the city.

One-day photo contest to be held in capital

HA NOI — Photography enthusiasts over 18-years of age are invited to join a one-day photo contest in Ha Noi on Sunday.

Organised by the site www.xomnhiepanh.com – a website for people interested in photography – the contest will focus on the unique features of the city, such as sidewalk tea shops, street food stalls, local open-air markets and cyclos.

Contestants will have from 7am till 4pm to capture images before submitting their five best photographs to the judges.

The top three photos will be auctioned for charity. The first-prize winner will receive a digital camera.

Renovation of old community house complete

THANH HOA — A VND3 billion (US$150,000) renovation project on the Dong Mon Communal House in the central northern province of Thanh Hoa has been completed.

Built under the reign of King Le Trung Hung (1570-1623) in Vinh Long District, the temple is the province's oldest communal house and still has nearly all of its original features.

It is a five-compartment complex with sophisticated carving patterns on its pillars, demonstrating the typical architectural style of Vietnamese communal houses.

Charity gala event to help aid children in need

HA NOI — Leading artists will gather to perform at a charity gala on Thursday to raise money for children living at Ha Noi's Phuc Lam Preschool and Nursery.

The show, which is to take place at the capital's historic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel, is entitled Cay Lieu Khoc Cho Em (Willow Weeps for Me).

As a curtain raiser, Spanish fashion designer Chula will present her latest collection, which features the diamond jewellery of the Ha Noi-based London Diamond Gallery.

Vietnamese diva My Linh and virtuoso pianist Pho An My will share the stage with the hotel's resident French jazz diva Trebeka on the night. Award-winning actress Le Khanh will MC.

The event is organised by the the non-profit charity organisation, Willow Weeps for Me, founded by Trebeka.

High schools win top prizes for ‘Sweet Dream' performance

HA NOI — Phan Dinh Phung and Kim Lien High Schools won the first prizes in the final round of the Ha Noi High School English Festival 2010 on Sunday for their outstanding performance titled Sweet Dream.

Organised by the Ha Noi Department of Education and Training and Apollo English, the festival awarded three second prizes to Viet Duc High School for their performance of the English song Stand up for Love, Hoai Duc A High School for their eloquence, and Nguyen Sieu High School for their hip-hop play titled Apologise.

Prizes were also given to other schools joining the festival held at the Youth Theatre in Ngo Thi Nham Street. — VNS

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Action flick kicks off holiday season

Black and white: Singer Siu Black and model Anh Thu in the movie Gentle as a Nun. — File Photo

HA NOI — Viet Nam's first holiday season movie release, Em Hien Nhu Ma So (Gentle as a Nun), hits cinemas yesterday.

In the film, directed by Hoang Thien Tru, a former singing star (real-life singer Siu Black) meets a Buddhist nun (Anh Thu) who is a martial arts expert on a secret mission to recover a priceless religious artefact. The two of them witness a murder committed by the son of a mafia boss and, entangled with the underworld, take refuge in a church.

Anh Thu has previously appeared in such popular films as Nhung Co Gai Chan Dai (Long-Legged Girls) and Hon Truong Ba Da Hang Thit (The Butcher's Soul and Truong Ba's Body). Playing a Buddhist martial arts nun in the new film, she spent two months in martial arts training and performs her own stunts in the film.

For Black, movie acting is still an experiment, although she turned in an engaging performance in the film Huyen Thoai Bat Tu (The Legend Alive). She turns in another surprising performance here, as a former star sour with the passing of her youth.

"I'm keen on action movies," said Black. "Sometimes I forget dialogue, but I'm absorbed in the action scenes,

The holiday movie season will eat up at Tet (Lunar New Year), when the Thien Ngan Studio will release Bong Ma Hoc Duong (Ghost at School), the first 3D movie from director Le Bao Trung.

"To prepare for my biggest project, I spent time to learn 3D filmmaking from specialist Chuck Comisky in Hong Kong," said Trung.

Trung and his crew were supported by cinematographer Joel Spezeski, and post-production for the film was completed in Hong Kong.

Pop singers Wanbi Tuan Anh, Truong Quynh Anh and Elly Tran all play leading roles in the film.

"By using 3D technology, we can make films completely different from 2D products, which have poorer images and music," said Dinh Thanh Huong, the movie's production manager.

High-tech, sophisticated productions would attract fans of different ages and backgrounds, he added.

Ghost at School will be screened in both 2D and 3D versions.

Viet Nam first saw 3D technology in the cartoon Phu Dong Thien Vuong, produced by the HCM City-based LCKSoft Company. Other 3D animations like Tho Va Rua (Rabbit and Turtle) and Chu Heo May Man (Lucky Pig), produced by the Viet Nam Cartoon Studio and the 3D Sao La company, have impressed children.

"I think making 3D cartoons and movies isn't difficult for domestic filmmakers," said Trung, who recently opened his own studio, LBT Entertainment. "But the problem is how to encourage movie producers to become involved in the new business."

Other movies expected for the holiday season will be the Viet Film Studio's Dai Chien Co Dau (Fighting Bride), Thien Su 99 (Angel 99) – produced for the teen market by Phuoc Sang Studio – and Sai Gon Yo! from the Chanh Phuong Studio. — VNS

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Martial arts documentary wins Italian award

Quang Ngai Province’s Radio – Television on Thursday announced that its sport documentary named Doi vo or Martial Arts Life won the Guirlande D’Honneur 2010 award in the sports individual category at the 2010 Sport Movies and TV competition in Milan, Italy, reports Thanh Nien newspaper.

 Doi vo is a touching documentary about a dedicated martial arts teacher named Ngo Bong, born in Nghia Dien Commune, Tu Nghia  District, Quang Ngai Province who devoted his life to the growth of Hung Ke Quyen (Bravery Cock Fighting Style) a once-famous traditional fighting style originating from Binh Dinh Province.

There were 150 documentaries screening from 50 countries that were judged with 13 winners including feature films, documentaries, cartoons, television programs and advertising films. Some of the winning documentaries came from China, Russia, Uzbekistan and Hungary.

The boxer, Mike Tyson, was awarded with the most prestigious honor recognizing his contributions to boxing and his role in the feature film, “The Hangover”.

All the winning films will be screened from November 15 to 18 in Doha (Qatar), the Federation International Cinema Television Sports (FICTS) said.

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President unveils enormous statue

President Nguyen Minh Triet and monks of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha dedicate the statue of Saint Giong. – VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang   Certified: Beatriz Fernandez (right), the international licensing manager of Guinness World Records, presents a Guinness record certificate to Ha Noi yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhat Anh   Ceramics: Visitors look at ceramic items displayed at Bat Trang Pottery Village in Gia Lam District, where an exhibition runs through October 9. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

HA NOI — An unveiling of the 85-tonne bronze statue of Saint Giong on top of Soc Mountain in Soc Son District yesterday was described as one of the most important events in celebrations for the 1,000th anniversary of Ha Noi.

The 14.2m statue was described as a symbol of the Vietnamese people's tradition of fighting to save the country. It features the legendary hero on his metal horse flying off into the sky after fighting against northern invaders.

Addressing the unveiling ceremony, President Nguyen Minh Triet praised the great contribution of the legend of Saint Giong in the defence of the country from foreign invasion.

"Mentioning Saint Giong is referring to patriotism and the Vietnamese people's deep hatred of foreign invaders," Triet said. "Saint Giong's strength also symbolises the extraordinary strength and strong will of the Vietnamese people. That's the meaning of [President Ho Chi Minh's sentence] ‘nothing is more valuable than independence and freedom'."

Triet said the very strength which had encouraged Vietnamese people to overcome all challenges, had pushed the "Viet Nam ship" to a glorious shore.

He stressed that the statue would be a reminder to future generations to preserve the achievements of previous generations. At the same time it would be an encouragement for people to make greater efforts in studying, working and safeguarding the nation, he said.

The statute, from the design of sculptor Nguyen Kim Xuan, had been under construction since late 2007 at the total cost of VND50 billion (US$2.6 million), which had been provided by private local sponsors.

The legend has it that Saint Giong was a three-year-old child living in the northern province of Bac Ninh under King Hung VI (around 500BC), when he responded to a call from the king to fight against the northern invaders, and suddenly grew up into a strong man to join the battle.

After seeing off the invaders, he took off his metal armour and flew into the sky on his metal horse from the top of the mountain.

Since then the local community has organised a festival every year between the 6th and 12th day of the fourth lunar month to commemorate the event. The festival has been nominated to UNESCO for recognition as an intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO's decision is expected this year.

Guinness certificate

A section of the Ceramic Road along the Hong (Red) River dyke in Ha Noi received a Guinness certificate yesterday for the longest ceramic mural in the world.

The mural is on the section of the road running along 810m of the dyke from An Duong to Tan Ap on Yen Phu Road and covers a total of 1,570sq.m.

It's part of a longer ceramic mural which runs 3,950m from An Duong to the Van Kiep gates of the dyke, measuring 7,000sq m, in 21 parts covering various topics.

Beatriz Fernandez, the international licensing manager at Guinness World Records, represented the organisation at the recognition ceremony.

People's Committee deputy chairwoman Ngo Thi Thanh Hang said the city acknowledged the goodwill of artists involved in the project, including 20 Vietnamese artists and 15 foreign artists from 10 countries, 500 Vietnamese and overseas children, 50 fine arts students and more than 100 ceramic handicraft artisans and workers from all over the nation.

The work has been in progress since March 2007, using the best ceramic materials from villages throughout the country, such as Bat Trang, Phu Lang, Chu Dau, Binh Duong, Vinh Long and Bau Truc.

Music, martial arts, kites

A music gala attracted thousands of people to Hang Day Stadium yesterday.

The show was staged as a story, telling about Ha Noi from the past to the present day through songs.

A martial arts festival also began yesterday and will end tomorrow at the Quan Ngua Sports Palace.

The festival has attracted about 2,500 martial artists from 21 domestic clubs performing 50 different styles, plus guest teams from such countries as Israel, Russia, German and France.

The festival is the first of its kind in Ha Noi in the 22-year history of the development of martial arts in the country.

A new cultural venue for hosting artists' activities was opened in Cau Giay District.

Called the Intellectual Palace, it comprises two buildings on 6,700sq m land, which will host the offices of the city's Literature and Arts Association and the Union of Science and Technology Associations.

The Ha Noi Kite Festival kicks off today to celebrate the capital's millennium anniversary.

The festival at My Dinh Stadium square on Le Duc Tho Street would run into the night with 124 Vietnamese artists, said Ngo Hong Tien from the Ha Noi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. — VNS

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