The film is expected to be the biggest cinematographic project ever produced by Vietnam to meet international standards. From now until the premier only 30 months remain, so it will be a tough task to complete the film on schedule.

Hasty but thorough preparations
Scriptwriter Dinh Tien Phuc won the B Prize in the Play Writing Contest on the 1,000 years of Thang Long – Hanoi. 

The simulation of the Can Nguyen sanctuary

Since May 11, 2007, after receiving the order from the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee to produce a motion picture about King Ly Cong Uan, the Vietnam Feature Film company has had all necessary administrative procedures completed before shooting the film, including the arrangement for the screen play’s copyright and script editing. 

Dinh Thien Phuc, the playwright said, “Over the past four years, the scrip has been revised seven times and now runs to 126 pages”.

“When I wrote the script, I tried to reflect all the good characteristics and nature of a good king in King Ly Thai To. All I wanted to do is for him to represent the Father of the nation and a kind hearted King,” said Mr Phuc.

The company has established a board to oversee all logistical work for the project, an office for the film crew and the Film Editorial Board comprised of Le Dan Thuc, who won the title the People’s Teacher, Professor Le Van Lan, writer Le Ngoc Minh and Emeritus Artist Le Duc Tien.

In addition, the company has visited several possible sites and studios for shooting the film and prepared film equipment and costumes for the characters.

Phan Cam Thuong, aesthetic advisor for the film said that he will try to ensure the film will leave a pleasant aesthetic impression on the viewers despite complex details.

Artist Vu Huy said the fine arts reflected in the film are based on the two factors: first, the remains of terracotta or ceramics, and Hoang Thanh, Dong Ho paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries as well as pagoda sculptures. Secondly, the team will visit China to study the sculpture of the Tang and Sung Dynasties.

Doctor Nguyen Thi Tinh, a costume advisor said that costumes will try to reflect the ideology of the film and the national spirit and nature by the use of colour.

“We’ll use Vietnamese silk to make the costumes”, Mrs Tinh said.

The film crew starts their work

Director and Emeritus Artist Le Duc Tien, director of the Vietnam Feature Film Company said the shooting was expected to start in November 2008.

The production of this motion feature posses a big challenge to his company. As it is the biggest film project in the country, it requires a huge budget, especially with the costs of hiring foreign experts. Furthermore, the film must be of high quality to meet international standards.

Mr Tien said “At the moment I cannot reveal the estimated budget for the film. But the costume making and equipment alone will cost from VND30- 50 billion.”

Four directors, like Do Minh Tuan, Vuong Tien Duc, Luu Trong Ninh and Vu Xuan Hung will be involved in the preparatory stages. However, pretty soon the company will choose the key director and that person will choose his team.

Tien said his company will not be hiring foreign actors in any role in the film but needs some experts from China, the USA, Hong Kong and Australia to make budget plans for the whole process of film production.

The preparations are expected to take place from January to October 2008. The actual shooting will begin from November 2008 to May 2009 and post-production work will be done from June 2009 until April 2010. The film will premier on May Day 2010.

 

“We’re very proud to make this film and promise to keep it on schedule”, Mr Tien said.