This article, originally written in Vietnamese by Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, chairwoman of the Vietnam Film Development Association, has been translated and edited by Tuoi Tre News. It pays tribute to the late Indian film critic, Aruna Vasudev, a beloved and respected figure in the global film community.
The news of Aruna Vasudev’s passing in the early hours of September 6, 2023, came as a shock to many, including myself. It was hard to believe that this elegant and passionate critic, editor, author, and documentary filmmaker had left us, even though she had been frail with age and battling Alzheimer’s disease for years.
Vasudev was a true champion of Asian cinema and an irreplaceable figure in the industry. With her extensive knowledge and dedication to the craft, she founded the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) in 1991, a non-profit organization that discovered and honored Asian films and filmmakers while fostering academic exchange. She served as the heart and soul of the NETPAC awards and was a central figure at many cinematic events, including the Hanoi International Film Festival, where she presided as a jury member and keynote speaker.
My first encounter with Vasudev was at the second Fukuoka Film Festival in 1992. As a young critic, I was invited to speak on a panel about Vietnamese cinema, and it was there that she approached me with a warm smile and kind words. She inquired about my thoughts on the new wave of Vietnamese cinema and its emerging directors, and from that moment on, she became a mentor and supporter of my work. Thanks to her encouragement and the platform she provided through Cinemaya, a magazine she launched in 1988, my name appeared in publications on Asian cinema, and my career as a film critic took off internationally.
Vasudev had a special connection with Vietnam and its cinema. She invited me to contribute a chapter on Vietnamese cinema to her book, Being & Becoming – the Cinema of Asia, and later encouraged me to complete a manuscript that would be published internationally by NETPAC in 2007. Her tireless dedication to promoting Asian cinema and her unwavering support for aspiring critics like myself earned her the title of ‘Mother of Asian Cinema.’ It was an honor to be one of her ‘children,’ and her impact on the industry will be felt for years to come.
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| Indian film critic Aruna Vasudev (L) and Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan are seen in a supplied file photo. |
Vasudev’s impact extended beyond her work with NETPAC. As a critic, author, and scholar, she left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. Her book, Being & Becoming – the Cinema of Asia, is a testament to her dedication to the craft, and her contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the Korean Cinema Award at the Busan International Film Festival, Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Cinemanila and International Film Festival of Colombo, and the French honor of ‘Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.’
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| The book on Asian cinema, ‘Being & Becoming – the Cinema of Asia,’ edited by Aruna Vasudev (left), and the book, ‘Modernity and National Identity in Vietnamese Cinema,’ by Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, published and distributed by NETPAC. |
Her memory lives on through the countless filmmakers and critics she inspired, and her legacy will forever be intertwined with the growth and spread of Asian cinema. She may be gone, but her impact on the industry will be felt for generations to come.
NETPAC continues to present its prestigious award at nearly 50 international film festivals, including Berlin, Venice, Rotterdam, Singapore, Toronto, and Busan. In Vietnam, the NETPAC Award is a sought-after honor at the Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF) and the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF).
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