As a young filmmaker, Le Ngoc Duy is committed not only to creating films consistently but also to fostering a love for cinema within the community.

Film director Le Ngoc Duy

"A bit of Da Nang"

Currently, director Le Ngoc Duy is exploring his hometown for scenes for his film “Mo chi trai tim toi” (My Heart’s Tombstone), a top-five project in the 2024 CJ Short Film project. His short films, all imbued with "the essence of Da Nang," possess a unique allure. His debut, A Call from the End of the Bed, is memorable not for its dramatic flair, but for its stirring visuals and local soundscapes that draw audiences into a world of nostalgic memories. This artistic blend of imagery and sound evokes a serene yet stirring resonance.

Premiered at the first Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival in 2024, A Call from the End of the Bed made an impression with its introspective and poetic style. It also became one of five Vietnamese films to participate in the S-Express 2024 program, a network of film curators from ten Southeast Asian nations dedicated to showcasing new cinematic talents.

Selected films from S-Express are featured in festivals across the region, including Malaysia’s Mini Film Festival, Indonesia’s Minikino Film Week, and Thailand’s Thai Short Film Festival. A Call from the End of the Bed was also nominated in international short film competitions at Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Uppsala (Sweden), ZINEBI (Spain), and Jogja-NETPAC (Indonesia).

Duy uses film as a form of personal storytelling. For him, each film is a dialogue with the past, whether childhood tales or broader narratives on family, friends, or hometown history. “I want to tell stories that are close to my heart,” Duy shares. His films, rich with local accents, characters, and familiar settings, reflect his journey of self-discovery and his deep connection to his roots. His latest film incorporates Da Nang’s sights and sounds, thanks to a VND 300 million grant from the CJ Short Film project.

For Duy, filmmaking is a path to learning and growth, and he embraces every chance to create. “Even with only a few collaborators or by myself, I keep filming. The camera is my eye to the world, an extension of my mind. It’s wonderful if people support me, but I can still manage solo,” he enthuses. At 24, Duy feels it’s too soon to define his cinematic style, as he’s driven by a desire to experiment. His focus remains on continuous creation, allowing him to evolve through each experience.

Exploring fictional elements and historical settings, Duy seeks to meld these with established narrative techniques, shaping a unique perspective in each work. His films, interconnected by themes and locales, form markers in his artistic journey, where he hopes viewers perceive an alternate reality.

Spreading the love for cinema

Duy’s passion for film extends to community projects. Since his first year as a student, he has spearheaded ‘Chop Bong’, curating art and experimental films to share cinematic moments with fellow enthusiasts. Screening, reviewing, and subtitling films have not only supported his learning but allowed him to foster an artistic community.

His involvement in the “Khmer Golden Palm” filmmaking workshop in Phnom Penh (2024) led to the creation of Days We Won’t Forget, mentored by prominent Asian filmmakers. Alongside filmmaking, Duy also writes, with The Way Home winning first prize in a Da Nang children’s literature contest in 2016.

In 2024, he joined A Song Club in Da Nang, co-organising Cinema ‘Con Nha Ngheo’. The project showcases local filmmakers and brings Vietnamese shorts to international festivals like Melbourne’s Overshare Video Festival, also facilitating screenings with Cambodia’s Anti-Archive collective.

In one unique outreach, Cinema Con Nha Ngheo's third season, ‘Nui tho tho chung no thui’, reached Nam Tra My District, a remote mountainous area, to screen animated films for local Xo-dang communities. Duy and his team transported equipment on motorbikes, then trekked the remaining distance on foot, sharing food and moments with the students and teachers. The event became a shared celebration, with the local children connecting warmly with Duy’s team. “For these children, films were a novelty, and their innocent enjoyment reminded me of the purity essential to filmmaking,” he reflects.

For Duy, each project is a joyful step in his cinematic journey, a means to immerse himself in the world of film and bring art to his community. “While there’s still a lack of arts and cinema programmes in Da Nang, it’s rewarding to create something meaningful. We strive to improve each event, offering more high-quality programmes,” he shares.

Reporting by NAM BINH- Translating by TRUC VY