During a book signing and meet-and-greet event on the morning of 13/6 in TP HCM, the author revealed that five of his works were recently acquired by producers for the big screen. In addition to "Cho toi xin mot ve di tuoi tho", his bestselling story, other projects include "Ngoi khoc tren cay" and "Con chim xanh biec bay ve". Nguyen Nhat Anh stated that filming schedules are not yet set, but he hopes the movies will be released to audiences soon.

Author Nguyen Nhat Anh at a reader meet-and-greet on the morning of 13/6. Photo: Mai Nhat

First published in 2008, "Cho toi xin mot ve di tuoi tho" stands as one of Nguyen Nhat Anh's most beloved works, with over 400 nghin copies sold and approximately 70 reprints. The story centers on a group of four children living in the same neighborhood: Tun, Ti, Hai, and Mui. The author once said the book was not for children, but "for anyone who was once a child". In 2009, the work received the Good Book Award from the Vietnam Publishers Association and the Vietnam Writers' Association. one year later, Nguyen Nhat Anh was honored with the Southeast Asian Writers Award for this work. The book has been translated into several languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, and Thai.

At the event, when asked about his requirements for film crews adapting his works, Nguyen Nhat Anh expressed his desire for projects to retain the core message of the original stories. Producers have previously sent scripts for his feedback, but the author often declines, fearing differing opinions could make the crew hesitant.

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Nguyen Nhat Anh discusses his perspective when film crews ask for script feedback. Video: Mai Nhat

Nguyen Nhat Anh believes it is impossible to fully convey the content of his stories on screen. According to him, literary characters are imagined archetypes, with each reader forming their own image, but on film, directors shape them differently. "Each person tends their own field; one should not interfere or worry too much. My field is literature, and theirs is cinema," he explained.

At the age of 71, Nguyen Nhat Anh shared that he has no special secret to maintaining his pace of writing one book each year, attributing it to regular exercise and a balanced diet. For him, creative work is demanding, especially in later years, as it involves sitting and typing for four to five hours daily. "However, while others might see it as 'torture', we find joy in our passion for the profession, which helps us forget the hardships," Nguyen Nhat Anh said.

On this occasion, he launched a boxset featuring four long stories previously adapted for the big screen: "Mat biec", "Co gai den tu hom qua", "Toi thay hoa vang tren co xanh", and "Ngay xua co mot chuyen tinh". This hardcover edition features images from the film adaptations. The project marks a collaboration between Nha Xuat Ban Tre and Fahasa, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the TP HCM Book Distribution Company and the 40th anniversary of the publishing house.

Readers of various ages lined up for Nguyen Nhat Anh's autograph on the morning of 13/6. Photo: Minh Chau

Nguyen Nhat Anh was born in Thang Binh, Quang Nam (formerly). In 1973, the author moved south, studying pedagogy and graduating in 1976. Besides five poetry collections, over 30 comic books, and 12 film scripts, Nguyen Nhat Anh has published over 100 prose works focusing on youth, coming-of-age, and children's themes. The author also printed three collections of sports commentary and over 50 volumes of relationship advice under various pen names. The Vietnam Book of Records Center recognized him as the nation's most prolific writer for young adults.

Nguyen Nhat Anh's books have frequently been adapted for the screen. In 1994, the film "Ao trang san truong", directed by Le Dan and based on the story "Nu sinh", featured actors Le Cong Tuan Anh, Y Phung, and Ngo My Uyen. In 1998, the film "Chu be rac roi", based on the story of the same name, starred Phung Ngoc, an actor from the film "Dat phuong Nam". In 2004, the television series "Kinh van hoa" premiered, featuring Ngoc Trai, Tieu Long, and Anh Dao. In late 2024, a film adaptation of the series, directed by Vo Thanh Hoa, will be released with a new cast.

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Trailer for "Ngay xua co mot chuyen tinh", a film based on Nguyen Nhat Anh's story, released in 2024. Video: Film crew provided

Mai Nhat