Le Thi Thuy, principal of Van Don Secondary School in Xom Chieu ward, said the screening took place last weekend during the new school year's opening ceremony. Thuy and several teachers had seen the film earlier and were impressed by its grand scale and emotional scenes.

She contacted a cinema complex to book a screening for the 8th and 9th grade students. The film is rated 13+.

Van Don Secondary School students watch "Mua do" at the beginning of the school year. Photo: Van Don Secondary School

Van Don Secondary School students watch "Mua do" at the beginning of the school year. Photo: Van Don Secondary School

While watching the film, Thuy observed her students and noticed many were moved. The audience applauded enthusiastically during scenes where the revolutionary soldiers achieved victories. At the end of the film, the entire theater sat and read the tribute to the soldiers who participated in the 81-day battle to defend the citadel.

"I want students to learn more about this heroic period in history. From there, they will understand how fortunate and precious it is to live in peace today," the principal said.

During its 20-day release, "Mua do" has been well-received by a large audience, including many schools, creating a ticket "rush." In late August, the University of Foreign Languages - Hue University announced it would give free tickets to all its full-time students, lecturers, and staff. The university did not limit the time for ticket collection to the National Day holiday but extended it beyond the holiday.

According to the university, after nearly 9 days, almost 4,000 people registered. Many students said they had already seen "Mua do" but still wanted tickets to return to the theater and gain a deeper understanding of the film.

Students of the University of Foreign Languages - Hue University sing "Con gi dep hon" (composed by Nguyen Hung) during a screening of "Mua do." Video: Youth Union of the University of Foreign Languages - Hue University

In addition to schools, several businesses organized community screenings to honor those who fought for national independence. On 9/8, 600 veterans from Vinh Thuy commune, Quang Tri, were invited to a screening by a fellow businessman. Transportation was arranged to take them from their homes to the cinema about 30 km away, divided into three groups for different showtimes.

Quang Tri veterans are invited to watch the film "Mua do." Photo: Hoang Tao

Quang Tri veterans are invited to watch the film "Mua do." Photo: Hoang Tao

Earlier, on 9/4, the production unit, the People's Army Cinema (General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army), held a screening at the Quang Tri citadel, inviting veterans, relatives of martyrs, and local residents, attracting over 5,000 viewers.

A representative of the production unit, Colonel Nguyen Thu Dung, director of the People's Army Cinema, said the revenue of 580 billion dong (as of 9/9) was "a success beyond expectations." The team is happy that the film has transcended the framework of a motion picture to become a cultural event, inspiring audiences.

Director Dang Thai Huyen said that over seven million viewers is a great encouragement for the film crew. "Mua do' has made a small contribution to reaffirming the position of war and revolution films: it's time for this genre to have a place in the development of modern Vietnamese cinema," she said.

Trailer of the film "Mua do." Video: Provided by the film crew

The film, written by Chu Lai, is set in 1972, when the liberation army of South Vietnam had completely taken over Quang Tri province, the temporary dividing line between North and South Vietnam. Having lost a strategic base and facing the risk of losing Thua Thien province, the US provided additional equipment for the Army of the Republic of Vietnam to counterattack and retake Quang Tri, especially the ancient citadel, to force a peace agreement favorable to them.

The script follows the 81-day battle to defend the citadel. The central character, Cuong (played by Do Nhat Hoang), is a Conservatory student, generous and skilled in martial arts. He gives up the opportunity to study abroad to enlist in the army. During the fighting in Quang Tri, Cuong fought alongside his squad, including Ta - the squad leader, Binh, Tu, Hai, and Sen. They come from different regions, with different backgrounds and personalities, but share the same goal of fighting for peace.

MV "Noi dau giua hoa binh" (composed by Nguyen Van Chung, sung by Hoa Minzy) - soundtrack of "Mua do." Video: Provided by the film crew

Over the past two years, war and revolution films have attracted great attention from audiences, creating a new wave in the domestic film market. First, there was "Peaches, Pho, and Piano" (2024), directed by Phi Tien Son and commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, which earned nearly 21 billion dong and broke even after almost three months of release. In April, "Tunnel," about soldiers fighting in the "steel land" of Cu Chi, directed by Bui Thac Chuyen, earned 172 billion dong.

Nhat Thu