HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese and Indian filmmakers and critics gathered at a seminar yesterday to discuss potential collaboration between the burgeoning Vietnamese film scene and its rich, developed Indian subcontinental counterpart.

With the theme of Indian cinema - Experience for Development and Co-operation, the seminar was part of the ongoing Hà Nội International Film Festival (HANIFF).

The seminar aimed to highlight Indian cinema, widely considered a world phenomenon. It is not only the world’s largest film industry but one with a distinctive identity. Additionally, the roundtable focused on experience and lessons from the development of Indian film production and distribution, and it discussed ways forward for co-operation between Việt Nam and India.

“India is so populated that there is a large number of moviegoers filling the cinemas regularly,” said producer Trương Ngọc Ánh.

“My company has co-operated with South Korea, Hong Kong and Canada. I look forward to working with Indian filmmakers in the future.”

“Filmmakers here are getting more professional and full of filmmaking enthusiasm, that’s our advantage. The country possesses a rich culture and history and beautiful scenery that attract foreign filmmakers.”

Peter Hiền, whose mother is Vietnamese, is a famous action director in India. He’s considered as a bridge between cinema industries in Việt Nam and India.

His film Sám Hối (Penitence), starring Bình Minh and Anh Thư will be released in Việt Nam and India in 2017. He revealed that last week he signed a contract to direct a collaborative film between two countries. The US$15 million project will be started next year.

“I will try my best to show people how beautiful Việt Nam is, and communicate how the country has cultural values which are as great as its neighbours,” he said.

“I’m always aware that half of my blood is Vietnamese, so I want to promote the country’s image through language of cinema.”

Indian director Adoor Gopalakrishnan, juror in the category of feature film at the HANIFF, said in the recent years, Indian TV series have been imported and broadcast widely on Vietnamese TV channels.

He said the most impressive Vietnamese film for him is The Scent of Green Papaya, directed by Trần Anh Hùng.

“I think we should work towards a memorandum of understanding between two countries,” he said.

“With a MOU, foreign film producers will find it easier to get permission and pass administrative procedures.”

Since 2009, Indian film industry produced 2,000 films in different genres each year.

Indian cinema was chosen to introduce the Country Focus programme in the forth HANIFF.

Accordingly, audiences have a chance to enjoy five films including Bajrangi directed by Kabir Khan, Sohra Bridge by Bappaditya Bandopadhyay, The Quest by Skita Biswas, Interrogation by Vetrimaaran and In Greed We Trust by Munish Bhardwaj.

In the Film Competition, the feature-length Birds with Large Wings will represent India. The film won India’s National Award 2015 for best environmental film. — VNS