Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan: The Spark Behind Vietnamese Films

Though she does not often appear in front of the camera, Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan has consistently been a powerful force behind the scenes, quietly advancing Vietnamese cinema on its journey of global integration. Recently, the French Ministry of Culture bestowed upon her the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters, a prestigious honor recognizing individuals for exceptional contributions to culture and arts, and for fostering international cultural cooperation.

Born into a family steeped in the arts - her father, People's Artist Ngo Manh Lan, was a pioneer of Vietnamese animation, and her mother, People's Artist Phan Thi Ngoc Lan, was an acclaimed actress - cinema quickly became Ngo Phuong Lan's passion and life's calling. In her twenties, she left Hanoi to study at the VGIK National Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. There, she had the opportunity to engage with world cinema classics and gradually developed a critical perspective, influenced by the unique viewpoints of directors like François Truffaut and Alain Resnais.

Ngo Phuong Lan gives a heartfelt speech at the ceremony where she is awarded the Order of Arts and Letters by the Minister of Culture of the French Republic. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP

Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture of the French Republic (right), presents the Order of Arts and Letters to Ngo Phuong Lan. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP

Upon returning to Vietnam, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the development of the nation's film industry while working at the Cinema Department (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). Later, as the Director General of the Cinema Department, she breathed new life into the sector at a time of significant transformation, marked by the increasingly strong participation of the private sector.

Beyond her role as an administrator, Dr. Lan is also a respected critic and researcher with valuable academic work. Her doctoral thesis, "Modernity and National Identity in Vietnamese Cinema," stands out as a significant milestone in bringing Vietnamese cinema closer to international audiences. This research, published in English, has profoundly contributed to a deeper understanding of the diversity, complexity, and development trajectory of Vietnam's film industry.

The Order of Arts and Letters, presented by the Minister of Culture of the French Republic to Ngo Phuong Lan. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP

A particularly notable highlight is her collaboration with the French Embassy in Vietnam, the city authorities of Saint Malo, and French cultural and cinema activists, including renowned directors such as Claude Lelouch and Regis Wargnier, to successfully organize the Vietnamese Film Festival in France. The festival showcased and honored selected Vietnamese films and French films about Vietnam.

Ngo Phuong Lan is a vivid symbol of the strong relationship between Vietnam and France. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP

In the journey to deeply integrate Vietnamese cinema with the world, Ngo Phuong Lan is not only a strategic leader but also a true cultural advocate who cherishes the spiritual values shared among different film industries. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP

After retirement, she founded the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association, serving as a bridge between management agencies and industry professionals. She also actively encouraged provinces and cities to become film-friendly locations by developing new incentive policies for filming.

In 2023, she founded the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) - Vietnam's first annual film festival. For its second edition, she organized a specialized seminar and a special screening program to celebrate the relationship between French and Vietnamese cinema.

A meeting of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association chaired by Ngo Phuong Lan. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP

Ngo Phuong Lan at the announcement ceremony for the 2nd Da Nang Asian Film Festival (2024). Photo: Files

Expressing her honor at receiving the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Minister of Culture, Ngo Phuong Lan said, "Over the past nearly two decades, Vietnamese cinema has been on an upward trajectory, particularly in market growth and film quality improvement. I hope that, in the near future, Vietnamese cinema will receive even more consistent and effective support from the French Ministry of Culture, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the French Institute, to nurture and develop a talented, professional generation of young Vietnamese filmmakers"./.

Story: Ngan Ha Photos: Thanh Giang/VNP & Files Translated by Hong Hanh