When art becomes a bridge

It is worth recalling that last year, the film phenomenon Dao, Pho va Piano (Peach Blossom, Pho and Piano) earned around 20.8 billion VND after nearly three months in theaters, an impressive commercial success for a state-commissioned film. It also sparked widespread discussion about Vietnamese historical cinema. This accomplishment was a promising sign for the state's political film genre.

Although the film may receive mixed reviews from audiences, in terms of media impact and box office revenue, it represents a positive sign that Vietnamese viewers, especially the generation born after the war, remain deeply interested in the historical war film genre.

A scene from the film “Peach Blossom, Pho and Piano”. Photo: Internet

Following the April 30 holiday, the film Dia Dao: Mat Troi Trong Bong Toi (The Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness) surpassed the 150-billion-VND milestone, becoming the highest-grossing Vietnamese war film in national cinema history at the time.

This figure highlights the film's commercial success after its theatrical release. While the work drew a mix of praise and criticism, it also served as a "yardstick" reflecting that war films still hold a meaningful place in the hearts of the public. Audiences continue to long for cinematic works that are refined enough to touch their emotions indeed.

It serves as a tribute to the nation's harsh historical periods, offered as a gesture of remembrance and gratitude. As of September 5, Mua do (Red Rain) had grossed over 500 billion VND, with a box office growth rate described as "super fast." The film surpassed Bo tu bao thu (332 billion VND) to become the highest-grossing title of 2025. Another notable achievement: over 90% of audience feedback has been positive, turning the film into a viral sensation across social media platforms. From elderly seniors to the youth, viewers have shared their emotions after watching Red Rain.

As of now, Red Rain stands as the first film in Vietnamese cinema as a whole, and military cinema in particular, to tell such a historic story. Unlike many current box-office hits in Vietnam, it features no star-studded cast to guarantee commercial success. The film avoids provocative scenes, formulaic comedy, or superhero-style portrayals of soldiers. Instead, it simply interlaces moments of fighters fully committed to defending the nation with raw depictions of their inner turmoil during the 81 days and nights at Quang Tri Citadel. Confronting death, they were still gripped by fear. Yet driven by the ideal of peace, these young soldiers, just eighteen or twenty years old, were willing to lay down their lives for their homeland.

Film poster of Red Rain. Photo: Provided by the film production crew

That is precisely the emotional "touchpoint" that allows audiences to understand and appreciate the peace they enjoy today deeply. On social media platforms, there has been a wave of reviews of Red Rain, accompanied by thousands of viewer comments about this historical film. Most express deep gratitude and admiration for earlier generations who shed their blood for the freedom and independence we now have. Culture and the arts evolve alongside the nation, while also bearing a higher mission, serving as a vital bridge. They are the invisible thread linking the present to the past. More than that, culture is also a form of soft power within the nation's economic development strategy.

This journey is a path that our neighboring countries embarked on and succeeded in more than three decades ago. South Korea captivated audiences with its "signature" cultural exports of romantic dramas, while China drew global interest through films about its mysterious imperial courts. Vietnam, a country with countless stories of heroes who gave their lives in the wars against French colonialism and American intervention, holds a priceless trove of historical narratives, one that few countries in the world can claim.

Therefore, as long as artists approach these themes with humanity and finesse, they are certain to draw large audiences both at home and abroad. In today's evolving economic climate, cultural and artistic endeavors must be guided by well-planned strategies, not only to go viral and generate profit, but also to operate with greater professionalism, beyond the intrinsic value of the work itself.

Hopefully, after Red Rain, we will see many more artistic works that take this mission even further.

By: Tran Tra My
Translated by: Dang Huyen - Minho