The Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, concurrently in Bahrain, played host to a special screening of the film “The Tailor” on May 15. The event was part of the 2024 FrancoFilm Festival, a celebration of French-speaking cinema organized by the French Embassy in collaboration with the Alliance Française in Bahrain.
The FrancoFilm Festival showcases the diverse cinematic creations from four continents within the French-speaking world. This year’s festival featured films from Africa, America, Asia, and Europe, with partnerships from Canada, Cameroon, France, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Switzerland, and Vietnam.
By organizing this festival, the French Embassy, along with its Francophone partners, celebrates the vibrant and diverse Francophone film industry. This event also coincides with the upcoming 19th Francophonie Summit, which will take place in Villers-Cotterêts on October 4.
|
| The Vietnamese film “The Tailor” captivated the attention of locals, diplomats, and expatriates alike at the FrancoFilm Festival in Bahrain. Source: Vietnamese Embassies in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain |
“The Tailor,” a romantic comedy, offers a glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of Saigon, with a particular focus on the history of the Ao Dai, Vietnam’s traditional long dress. Starring Ngo Thanh Van, Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc, Diem My, and People’s Artist Hong Van, the film is directed by the talented duo of Loc Tran and Kay Nguyen.
The story centers around Lan Ngoc, a young and arrogant girl from the 1960s, born into a family of tailors specializing in Ao Dai. Despite her initial disdain for the family trade, she finds herself transported to the future, where she meets her older self and witnesses the decline of her family’s craft. This eye-opening journey helps her appreciate the value of traditional careers and cultivates a newfound respect for the Ao Dai.
Bastien Rafel, Cultural Attache at the French Embassy, highlighted the film’s ability to showcase one of Vietnam’s traditional cultural aspects. “The Tailor” was among the most well-received films at the festival, attracting a diverse audience.
Haya Al-Sada, an officer at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, expressed her enthusiasm after watching the film. Having visited Vietnam a few years ago, she shared her love for the country, its people, and its rich culture. She looks forward to returning to Vietnam soon.
This screening marks the second successful organization of a Vietnamese film event in Bahrain by the embassy, following the Vietnamese Film Week in November 2023.
Art programme to welcome Lunar New Year’s Eve
NDO – A special art programme, bringing together many renowned and world-class artists from abroad, who are returning to Vietnam for the first time with their families to participate in the Lunar New Year’s Eve programme, which will be officially broadcasted on Vietnam Television (VTV) at 9:15 pm on January 24 (the Lunar New Year’s Eve).
“Japanese Culture Festival” opens in Da Nang city
NDO/VNA – The Da Nang Museum held the “Japanese Culture Festival” 2019 in the central city of Da Nang on March 10 to introduce the beauty of the culture, land and people of Japan to locals and visitors, thus contributing to the strengthening of cultural exchange between the two countries and bilateral friendship.
Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2018 opens
NDO – The Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2018 officially opened at the Tam Coc – Bich Dong Tourism Area and Trang An Ecotourism Area, in the northern province of Ninh Binh on June 9.
Dong Thap hosts its first lotus festival
NDO – The first Lotus Festival opened at Van Mieu Park in Cao Lanh city located in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap on September 1.
Vietnamese durian introduced to Australia
A ceremony to open the 2019 Vietnamese Durian Tasting Roadshow was held in Sydney, Australia on Oct. 29. The show offered durian to people to boost Vietnamese durian’s reputation in Australia.
