Animated film on Vietnamese history released online

Poster of the animated film Rạch Đôi Sơn Hà (A Country of Two Halves), a 2D production by Đạt Phi Media featuring historical events during the Lê and Mạc dynasties. — Photo courtesy of the producer

HCM CITY — An animated film featuring historical events during the Lê and Mạc dynasties has been released on YouTube. 

Rạch Đôi Sơn Hà (A Country of Two Halves), a 2D production, features the Lê-Mạc war, a 65 year-long civil war between the Lê and Mạc dynasties from 1527 to 1592.  

It focuses on military general Mạc Đăng Dung, who established the Mạc Dynasty in 1527 after fighting against the Trịnh and Nguyễn clans during the Southern and Northern Dynasty period. 

General Dung killed Lê Cung Hoàng, the last Emperor of the Later Lê Dynasty to rule the new Mạc Dynasty. 

In 1592, Thăng Long (now Hà Nội), the capital of the Mạc Dynasty, was reconquered by the Later Lê forces, marking the end of the Southern and Northern Dynasty period of Vietnamese history. 

Rạch Đôi Sơn Hà is produced by filmmakers from Đạt Phi Media, a company founded by Nguyễn Đạt Phi who has a YouTube channel called Hùng Ca Sử Việt (The Heroic Tunes of Vietnamese History).

The film, released on September 21, has attracted more than 49,400 views. 

Sơn Tinh (God of Mountain), an animated film o Vietnamese history by young artists of Đạt Phi Media in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the producer

“We researched documents and books about the nation’s historical events and victories, and legendary heroes during the filming,” said Phi, head of the film crew.   

“Through animated films from our YouTube channel Hùng Ca Sử Việt, we hope young people can improve their knowledge about Vietnamese history. They’ll also can learn bravery, honour and responsibility.” 

“We have received severals hundred comments and letters from Vietnamese fans at home and abroad who shared their love for Vietnamese history,” he said.

Young artists of Đại Phi Media are working on a new project, called Anh Hùng Bán Than Trần Khánh Dư (National Hero Trần Khánh Dư), an animated film on Vietnamese history in the Trần Dynasty between 1240-1340. — Photo courtesy of the producer

The channel Hùng Ca Sử Việt released in 2016 and has more than 100,000 subcribers.

For every work, Phi and his crew spends around 15 months on filming. “We wanted and have tried our best to make every production lively,” said Phi. 

Phi and his staff are working on a new project, called Anh Hùng Bán Than Trần Khánh Dư (National Hero Trần Khánh Dư), an animated film on Vietnamese history in the Trần Dynasty between 1240-1340. 

“I think animated films shown on social media will help lure young audiences back to Vietnamese movies,” Nguyễn Hoàng Quốc Duy, a 16-year-old from Bình Dương Province, wrote in the comment section on YouTube, after viewing Rạch Đôi Sơn Hà. — VNS