A scene in Bình Ngô Đại Chiến (Battle of Tốt Động- Chúc Động), a new animated film by young filmmakers of the Đuốc Mồi Group. Its trailer has attracted more than 171,000 views on Youtube. — Photo courtesy of the producer

 By Thu Anh

HCM CITY — A new animated film featuring historical events in Việt Nam by young filmmakers from the Đuốc Mồi Group has premiered in cinemas in HCM City.

Bình Ngô Đại Chiến (Victorious Battle over Foreign Invasion), a 2D production, takes place from 1420 to 1426 under the reign of the Trần dynasty.

The film celebrates the battle of Tốt Động- Chúc Động in 1426 between the Lam Sơn troops under the command of national hero Lê Lợi and the Ming invaders from the north.

The battle began in November 1426 in the Hồng (Red) River Valley between Chúc Động and Tốt Động villages in Chương Mỹ, an outskirts district of present-day Hà Nội.

After the battle, Đại Việt gained independence, and Lê Lợi, leader of the Lam Sơn uprising, became king in 1428.

The film's trailer on YouTube has attracted more than 171,000 views.

“We worked hard to make our production lively,” Trần Tuấn, a member of Đuốc Mồi Group, said.   

Tuấn and his staff spent more than 15 months on filming.

Young filmmakers of the Đuốc Mồi Group. They have been involved in Việt Sử Kiêu Hùng (Pride in Vietnamese History), a film project that aims to introduce Vietnamese history to young audiences. — Photo courtesy of the producer

 Bình Ngô Đại Chiến is the last film of the film project called Việt Sử Kiêu Hùng (Pride in Vietnamese History) by Đuốc Mồi.

The project, worth VNĐ2.4 billion (US$647,000), aims to introduce Vietnamese history to young audiences.    

It includes a series on historical events under the Trần and Hồ dynasties between 1225 and 1400.   

The first film, Tử Chiến Thành Đa Bang (Deadly Battle at Đa Bang), is divided into three chapters and uses 3D technology. It was released in 2018 and has attracted more than 801,000 views on YouTube.

"We researched documents and books about the nation's historical events and victories, and legendary heroes during the filming,” said Tuấn, head of the film crew.   

“We received financial support from several domestic sponsors, companies and individuals who shared their love for Vietnamese animations,” he added.

“Through films from the project Việt Sử Kiêu Hùng, young people can learn bravery, honour and responsibility. They’ll also improve their knowledge about Vietnamese history and learn about independence," Ngô Phạm Quang Đại, a 15-year-old from Đồng Nai Province wrote in the comment section on YouTube. 

Đai and his friends loved Đại Chiến Bạch Đằng (The Bạch Đằng Battle), a 3D animated film by students at Hồng Bàng University in HCM City. It has remained popular since its release in 2012.

The six-minute film has attracted 847,000 views on YouTube.

It features the Bạch Đằng Battle of 938, a famous event on the Bạch Đằng River between the Vietnamese troops, led by Ngô Quyền, and Chinese invaders under the Han dynasty.

One dramatic scene depicts Ngô Quyền showing his troops how to plant iron-headed wooden stakes, invisible during high tides, into the river-bed.

After Quyền launched a counter-attack at low tide, the enemy's large boats ran aground as they were pierced by the long stakes.

The victory of Bạch Đẳng ended the 1,000-year Chinese domination, opening a period of Việt Nam's independence and sovereignty. 

“We will release Bình Ngô Đại Chiến on YouTube. Animated films shown on social media will help lure young audiences back to Vietnamese movies,” said Tuấn. — VNS