Animation script writer Đàm Thùy Dương. Photo danviet.vn

Bà Của Đỗ Đỏ (Đỗ Đỏ's Grandmother) is one of the Vietnamese movies competing in the Short Film category at the 6th Hanoi International Film Festival 2022 (HANIFF).

In September, the animation won the Golden Kite from the Việt Nam Cinematography Association 2022.

Việt Nam News' contributor Thảo Vũ speaks with the animation's scriptwriter Đàm Thùy Dương about the movie.

Đỗ Đỏ's Grandmother features scenes that are imbued with Hà Nội cultural identity. What inspired you to write the script?

My memory of one of my grandmothers inspired me. Emotion in my childhood helped me to write the script. When I was small, I was close to my grandmother, and she loved me very much.

I miss the cold winter days when she was alone in a small house and my mother told me to come and sleep with her. I felt her warmth when I was in her arms. Her warmth came from Wind Cure Oil, betel, woodsmoke and sweat.

We hugged each other, listening to the howling wind and the sound of dry leaves on the roof. We warm each other with endless talking.

When I smell Wind Cure Oil, woodsmoke or betel, it reminds me of her warmth in the old winter nights.

Why is it the animation film without dialogue?

It is a familiar story. I think the literature and meaning of the story will make a strong impression on the audience and the movie makers.

I am not a person who makes scripts to wow and wonder. I want to play a game with the children.

Vietnamese animation is mainly aimed at younger audiences. What do you think it needs to make more family-themed animations like Đỗ Đỏ's Grandmother?

In modern society, the bonding relationship between family members is sometimes distracted and distant, so we need to wake up and reconnect before it's too late. Of course, animated scripts on family topics are not outside this purpose.

A child who knows how to feel about family will learn to love his family more. Therefore, the family theme is always necessary to appeal to all audiences and scriptwriters, even though it is difficult to write a good script.

Anyone can find themselves in someone's family story. I always like to write about family, and I want to spread the warmth from the family in a simple and closest way to young audiences.

A still from Vietnamese animation Đỗ Đỏ's Grandmother.

Your works have received awards from the Việt Nam Cinematography Association and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. What do you want to say to young animation makers?

Animation script writing is challenging. I think that young writers must have a love for their job. They should persevere in the pursuit of their work.

Do you believe that Đỗ Đỏ's Grandmother will convince the jury's heart at the HANIFF?

I used to have times of hardship, but I always found joy in work. I am pleased when my scripts become animation. I always believe the director will make the script a good movie.

When I heard the animation was to be selected to compete at the HANIFF, it was like receiving a big joy and nice surprise. I hope for an award.

The sentiment of the grandmother and niece may move the audience and the jury at the festival. VNS