New film honours naval soldiers at forefront of waves

HÀ NỘI – Rare footage shot on the Trường Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, offering the audience a chance to witness the realities faced by the frontline naval soldiers, have been presented for the first time in a newly-released film.

Entitled Trường Sa – Bến Bờ Trong Nhau (Trường Sa – The Shore Within), the movie dedicates to the naval soldiers stationed at the forefront of the waves, on the archipelago – a strategically important region in Việt Nam.

Telling the story of a four-generation family of naval soldiers guarding the seas and islands of the Motherland, the movie also shares many moving stories about the sacrifices of the soldiers and their support personnel.

The movie ‘Trường Sa – Bến Bờ Trong Nhau’ (Trường Sa – The Shore Within) tells the story of a four-generation family of naval soldiers guarding the seas and islands of the Motherland. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Television

The story is told simply and sincerely, interwoven with songs about the soldiers and the love for the country’s seas and islands, performed by Meritorious Artist Khánh Hòa, a singer from the Thăng Long Singing and Dancing Theatre.

The singer, with a deep connection to the archipelago, has poured her personal passion and experiences into the creation of this film. Her repeated visits to the region have cultivated a profound appreciation and commitment to honouring the sacrifices and duties of the naval forces stationed there. This personal investment has directly shaped the film’s development, as Khánh Hòa co-wrote the screenplay with composer Lê Tâm to bring this story of love for the country and its islands to life on the screen.

“The Spratly is a great and profound love in my life. Each time I visit the archipelagos, my emotions are further nurtured and deepened, which has driven me to undertake this musical film project,” said Khánh Hòa.

Eight songs featured in the movie have been given fresh musical arrangements and carefully curated to align with the feelings, and emotions of the naval soldiers as well as the women in the supporting roles at the home front during different stages of the story.

Film crew members take photos with naval soldiers during the film shooting. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Television

The songs include Gửi Cánh Chim Biển (Send to the Seabird Wings) by Võ Thiên Lan, Tình Anh (My Love) by Đình Dũng, Mẹ Kể Con Nghe (Mother Words to Her Child) by Xuân Bình), Nơi Ấy Là Trường Sa (That Place Is Trường Sa) by Xuân Nghĩa), Ngọn Nến Tri Ân (Candle of Gratitude) by An Hiếu, Đảo Xa Tổ Quốc (Far Islands of the Motherland) by Quỳnh Hợp, Bâng Khuâng Trường Sa (Wanging Trường Sa) by Lê Đức Hùng, and medley Tình biển – Chào Trường Sa (Love of Sea – Hello Trường Sa) by Trần Quang Huy and Lưu Hà An).

Journalist Trần Hồng Hà, Deputy Head of the Arts Department at Vietnam Television, has affirmed that the Trường Sa – The Shore Within is the largest-scale musical film project undertaken by the Arts Department to date. To produce this film, the music editor had to work very urgently and seriously with the directing and screenwriting team to select the songs to be included in the film. The film was a collaborative effort of 1,000 people, with the film crew alone comprising over 105 members.

The film’s cast features a number of respected and popular Vietnamese artists, from seasoned performers like People’s Artist Mạnh Cường. Meritorious Artist Minh Phương, to rising talents like Tiến Lộc, Bình An, and Huyền Thạch.

In addition, the involvement of the Việt Nam Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Kim Xuân Hiếu, further elevates the musical elements of the production, with their live performance captured during the film shooting on the Spratly region.

The film project manager Đặng Hương shared that the process of making the film took nearly two years, from the initial concept to completion. The film shooting took place for over a month, with many scenes shot in different locations such as mainland, Cam Ranh Peninsula, Military Zone 4, on the DK1 platform on the southern continental shelf, and various islands in the Spratly Archipelago.

A scene in the movie features ainger Khánh Hòa performing together with the Việt Nam Symphony Orchestra. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Television

Key moments showcased in the film such as the memorial for fallen soldiers in Gạc Ma (Johnson South) Reef battle, the personal lives of the naval personnel, the emotional reunions between the soldiers and their families, all serve to illustrate the deep ties and interdependence between the home front and those stationed on the Trường Sa islands. These scenes underline the human dimensions of the naval forces’ duties, and the steadfast support they receive from the Vietnamese people.

The film is to celebrate 60th anniversary of the first victory of the Việt Nam People’s Navy and the army and people of the North (August 2 and 5, 1964 – August 2 and 5, 2024), and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Việt Nam People’s Army (22/12/1944 – 22/12/2024).

Speaking at the film’s premiere, Rear Admiral Phạm Văn Luyện, Deputy Political Commissar of the Việt Nam People’s Navy, has emphasized that the film is a significant work, deeply reflecting the human values of patriotism and love for the homeland’s seas and islands. VNS