HCM CITY — Many challenges have emerged in the equitisation of State-owned film studios, particularly the Việt Nam Feature Film (VFS) Studio, Culture Minister Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện said yesterday.

Speaking with HCM City officials and artists about the future of the local film industry, Thiện said he was concerned that local artists, because of limited resources, were struggling to make classic Vietnamese movies, which were once the highlight of the local film industry.

“Foreign and commercial movies are likely to exert greater domination over the industry,” he said, adding that it was important to collect ideas from experienced artists and create competitive advantages for local movies.

Former president of the Việt Nam Cinema Association, Trần Luân Kim, said that State-owned film studios under the equitisation process should be re-sponsored by the government.

“Though I understand that equitisation is necessary, we should note that the nature of the local movie industry requires directions and stable resources from the government,” he said.

Ngô Ngọc Ngũ Long, vice president of the Việt Nam Cinema Association, said that more funds given to make classical Vietnamese movies would enable them to compete with foreign films at international festivals.

“State-owned studios tend to produce movies that communicate national pride effectively,” she added.

Classical Vietnamese movies are also struggling to compete with more commercial local movies made with modern content as well as foreign films at cinemas.

As the majority of popular cinemas are owned by private, revenue-driven companies, there are few time slots for classical Vietnamese movie screenings.   

Kim said that if State-owned studios were re-owned by the government, it would be important to restructure them.

For instance, film studios formerly managed separately should be under one management so they can improve their competitive advantage.

Renowned director Đào Bá Sơn stressed that it was unfair to underestimate local movies made by private firms. Despite being commercial, they still stand out at local cinemas.

“There should be revision of regulations to ensure that classical Vietnamese movies are able to survive in their own country,” he added.

“The ministry has collected all information and will file a report to the government. Though we can’t promise to do anything just yet, we will continue to emphasise the equitisation of State-owned film studios,” Thien said.

He said the ministry was looking forward to receiving more feedback from the public on this issue. — VNS