HÀ NỘI — Veteran filmmaker Hà Bắc has released an animated short about Việt Nam's islands and seas.

Truyền Thuyết Đảo Xa (Legend of Remote Island) is a 12-minute film that starts with two navy soldiers on a remote island telling the story of Rồng Vàng (Golden Dragon).

A scene from Legend of Remote Island by Hà Bắc. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

“In early 2014, when the 981 Hải Dương drilling platform violated Vietnamese islands and seas, I wanted to make a film with this theme,” said Bắc.

He met writer Đình Kính and the two artists discussed the idea. From Kính’s script about Rồng Vàng, Bắc's film tells the story of a dragon landing on Earth and forming the s-shaped Việt Nam, carving the islands with its claws.

“The script is long enough to make a motion picture, but we just mad an animation 12 minutes long,” Bắc said.

“It was very difficult for us to tell a short story that inspired the audience. I decided to make the animation using paper cutouts.”

Bắc's characters have no dialogue and just use the narrative from Quốc Trị. It took one year to complete the animation with a ten-member crew.

“Through the story, I want to convey a message of patriotism, national defense and pride,” said the filmmaker.

Bắc graduated from the Việt Nam Fine Arts University and began making animations in 1976. He made a 3D animation in 2005 which won the Silver Lotus at the 15^th National Film Festival.

He also made a 3D animation to celebrate the 100^th birthday of General Võ Nguyên Giáp.

He has been awarded by the Việt Nam Cinematography Association and the ASEAN New Media Arts Competition and Exhibition.

He has been a judge at international animation festivals in France, Belgium and India.

He was recognised as a People’s Artist in 2012 and was handed the State Award for Literature and Arts in 2017. — VNS