"Thanks to 'Red Rain', I've sought out the original novel by Chu Lai and numerous documents about the 1972 Quang Tri campaign," said the 25-year-old from Thanh Xuan, Hanoi.
Du admitted his first viewing was out of curiosity and to join in the 80th National Day celebrations. But 'Red Rain' surprised him and changed his perception of Vietnamese cinema. He realized he didn't understand many scenes due to his lack of knowledge about the Citadel battle.
Du went online to read comments and then searched for books to gain a deeper understanding of the 81-day battle and the domestic and international context of that time. Armed with this knowledge, during subsequent viewings, he paid closer attention to the characters' expressions and the symbolism, analyzing and reflecting on them. "Watching the film again, I felt a deeper understanding, recognizing which details were real or fictional," Du shared.
His exploration didn't stop at the Quang Tri battlefield. He broadened his research to include other historical milestones such as the “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” campaign of December 1972, the southwestern border conflict of December 1978, and the Gac Ma battle of March 1988.
For Du, 'Red Rain' was a catalyst, inspiring him to learn about his nation's heroic history and regretting his rote learning approach to the subject in high school.
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Hong Ngoc and hundreds of viewers take photos with the 'Red Rain' film crew during a meet-and-greet at Galaxy Tan Binh cinema, Ho Chi Minh City, on 6/9. Photo: Provided by interviewee |
Hong Ngoc and hundreds of viewers take photos with the 'Red Rain' film crew during a meet-and-greet at Galaxy Tan Binh cinema, Ho Chi Minh City, on 6/9. Photo: Provided by interviewee
Hong Ngoc, 26, from Ho Chi Minh City, has also seen the film four times. She's noticed a shift in recent Vietnamese war films, with a more direct perspective, avoiding excessive sentimentality or one-sided praise.
'Red Rain', and before that 'The Tunnel', 'Dao, Pho, and Piano', motivated her to delve deeper into history. After each film, she spent nights reading documents and watching videos about the battles. "As a result, I've come to realize the extent of the sacrifices made by previous generations to achieve peace for our country," Ngoc said.
Beyond reading historical documents, Ngoc and her friends plan to visit Quang Tri to experience this historic land 53 years later.
Du and Ngoc's stories are not unique. On social media, thousands of posts share experiences of watching 'Red Rain' 4-5 times, even 10 times. Videos analyzing the film in detail, pointing out its strengths and weaknesses, have attracted millions of views. As of 9/9, the film has earned over 578 billion VND, becoming the highest-grossing film in Vietnamese cinematic history, maintaining over 5,000 screenings daily.
Before 'Red Rain', several historical and war films released since 2024 have made their mark. 'Dao, Pho, and Piano' (2024) caused a ticket frenzy, repeatedly crashing the National Cinema Center's website. Similarly, the film week commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory in May 2024 also received significant attention. Eight films were screened, including four documentaries from the People's Army Cinema and four feature films like 'Red Bauhinia', 'Living with History', etc. The People's Army Cinema welcomed 400-500 viewers daily, constantly adding extra seats but still unable to meet demand.
Dang Tran Cuong, Director of the Cinema Department, shared with VnExpress that these successes further confirm that Vietnamese audiences, especially young people, are not indifferent to war films, as long as the quality is there.
Dr. Vu Thu Huong, an education specialist in Hanoi, believes the recent success of some war films is due to a combination of favorable timing, location, and human factors. Music programs since 2024 have revived revolutionary songs and refreshed the image of soldiers, creating an emotional foundation for young audiences to connect with history. Combined with the enthusiastic atmosphere of major anniversaries like the 50th anniversary of national reunification and the 80th National Day, national pride has surged.
Another appealing aspect, according to Dr. Huong, is the blend of historical accuracy and modern cinematic language. The films not only respect the truth and recreate the spirit of heroism but also captivate audiences with compelling visuals, sound, special effects, and pacing. This storytelling approach prevents the films from being dry or dogmatic, instead stirring the viewers' emotions.
Dr. Huong analyzed that history is a subject that requires imagination. This genre of film helps young people visualize and experience the past in an accessible and authentic way, thereby fostering national pride.
But the key to the success of these films, according to Dr. Huong, is the emotional experience. Audiences feel as though they are living through wartime, experiencing the pain, loss, and hatred for invaders, gaining a genuine understanding of war.
"Many young people rewatch the films to delve deeper into history, stirring a movement to reconnect with their roots and ask themselves: 'What can I do for my country?'", Dr. Huong said.
Students from the University of Foreign Languages - Hue University sing "What's More Beautiful" (composed by Nguyen Hung) during a screening of 'Red Rain'. Video: Youth Union of the University of Foreign Languages - Hue University
Cultural researcher Dr. Nguyen Anh Hong from the Academy of Journalism and Communication has also observed a shift in young people's entertainment preferences towards exploring history.
She's noticed that young people visiting historical sites or watching films are no longer just for social media posts, but genuinely want to reconnect with their roots, especially when knowledge is presented in an engaging and accessible way.
According to the expert, this appeal stems from the inherent value of historical sites, new educational methods, the stimulation of patriotism, and especially the influence of social media in creating new trends and discussions, drawing young people closer to history.
Following the 'Red Rain' effect, a representative of the Management Board of the Le Duan Memorial Site and Quang Tri Citadel reported 17,000 visitors in August, a 27% increase compared to the same period last year.
This effect has also spread to the publishing industry. Nguyen Tuan Binh, a representative of Binh Book, the publisher that reprinted the novel 'Red Rain', reported a surge in orders. Despite being reprinted in 2024, the book only sold around 300 copies during the April 30th holiday this year. After the film's release, this number jumped to 6,000 orders.
Quynh Nga
