HCM CITY — Veteran director Lê Mộng Hoàng, who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away on Thursday at his home in HCM City after a long illness due to heart disease. He was 88.

Hoàng was born in 1929 in Phú Vang District in the central province of Thừa Thiên – Huế.

During his childhood, he took part in music and theatrical performances at Huế Radio Station.

He graduated from the National Academy of Music in Paris in 1953, and continued his study in cinematography.

After graduation, he returned to Việt Nam and made his first movie Bụi Đời (Street Life) in 1957. It was based on author Võ Đình Cương’s novel Những Hòn Sỏi (Pieces of Gravel), depicting life of street children in HCM City.

During his career, Hoàng directed more than 20 films with themes of history, war and love, such as Xin Đừng Bỏ Em (Please Don’t Leave Me), Chiều Kỷ Niệm (Memorial Evening), and Mãnh Lực Đồng Tiền (Strength of Money).

His works produced after 1975 include Ngọn Lửa Thành Đồng (Bulwark of Fire), Tình Yêu của Em (My Love), and Ngôi Nhà Oan Khốc (House of Gross Injustice).

His prominent work was Nàng (You) in 1970, which won top prize at the 17th Asian Film Festival in Taiwan. The film, based on the novel with the same name by Bùi Hoàng Thư, tells the life of an orphan played by famous actress Thẩm Thúy Hằng.

Many actors, including Hằng, Lý Hùng, Diễm Hương and Lê Tuấn Anh, who appeared in his films became movie stars.

Hoàng also taught students at film schools in the city.

The funeral is being held at Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda until February 28. — VNS