U.S. director encourages more Vietnamese indie films

A young American director has recently said he would like to build a film studio that funds Vietnamese independent films to encourage young filmmakers to make artistic, low-cost films.
“To make an indie film, you just need a camcorder and PC with video editing software. The most important thing you need is your own creativity,” said Aaron Toronto, 28.

Toronto, who has been in Vietnam since March 2004, is a familiar name in the local movie industry and with audiences after Vietnam Television screened music videos that he shot for local artists in the program “VTV – My Favorite Song” last year. In fact, many Vietnamese industry folk consider the American a successful director.

Talking to Thanh Nien, Toronto admitted he saw potential in many young Vietnamese filmmakers. He said he would do his best to help local filmmakers introduce their independent works outside Vietnam.

Recently, Toronto helped Vietnamese director Le Thanh Son send a short film entitled “Who am I?” to VC Filmfest 2005 - The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and Vietnamese International Film Festival held by the U.S. overseas Vietnamese community.

“Who am I?” is a 36 million-VND (2,200 USD) movie that had previously won the Silver Kite at the national Vietnamese Film Festival 2005.

Reported by Le Phuong Anh – Translated by Quynh Nhu.
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 12 May, 2005, 20:40:41 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News