Dust & Metal - Symphony of Vietnamese Life through Eyes of British Director
	10 Ancient Writings Of Vietnam Recognized By UNESCO

RIAF 2024 takes place from June 28 to July 28 in the historic town of Ruthin in North Wales, gathering artists, poets, directors, and art creators from more than 40 countries. The festival features various forms of art, including contemporary performances, installations, sound, film, theater, poetry, literature, and social interactions.

“Once upon a bridge in Vietnam” is screened in the unique open art space at RIAF 2024. (Photo: VNA)

With the theme “Elsewhere”, the event emphasizes the blend of diverse cultures and human connections through live performances by more than 50 international artists, film screenings, poetry readings, art exhibitions, and workshops.

In particular, RIAF 2024 creates an open art space, connecting artists with the audience through experiential art activities involving residents and festival attendees.

The festival chose to screen the film “Once Upon a Bridge in Vietnam,” following a recommendation from Goldsmiths, University of London, after the film had impressed audiences at the university’s screening last year.

Before coming to the UK, the film premiered at prestigious American universities, including Harvard and Columbia, and won the Best Short Documentary award at the Los Angeles Film Awards 2022.

Director François Bibonne expressed his gratitude for having his film showcased at an international film festival in the UK, seeing it as an opportunity to connect with British audiences and international artists, while also introducing Vietnam and its cultural identity to the world through music. The activity serves as a bridge connecting everyone, regardless of origin.

Director François Bibonne shares his journey to Vietnam on the program La Veillée in Avignon, France. (Photo: VNA)

With beautiful natural scenes, unique ethnic dances, and costumes blended with the sound and visuals of a symphony orchestra and Vietnam’s unique traditional musical instruments, the film left a lasting impression on the audience at RIAF 2024.

Tu Pham, a Vietnamese expatriate living in the UK for nearly 10 years, shared her special feeling watching a film about Vietnam in Wales, with familiar images of northern Vietnam and her hometown of Hanoi.

The film made her feel like she was back home and proud that the beautiful images and culture of Vietnam were being introduced to international audiences.

Xiaohang Chen, a Chinese audience member, stated that he was impressed with the beautiful footage of the Vietnamese countryside, which reminded him of his grandparents living in rural areas, and believed that the film helped connect international audiences with Vietnam.

“Once Upon a Bridge in Vietnam” is director Bibonne’s first documentary about Vietnam, aiming to connect France and Vietnam through music in his journey to discover his roots, as his grandmother is Vietnamese.

The festival features various forms of art, from contemporary performances, installations, sound, film, and theater to poetry, and literature, with international artists’ performances interacting with the audience. (Photo: VNA)

Director Bibonne shared that his late grandmother was the inspiration for him to explore Vietnamese heritages. The director stated that he would dedicate his life to creative projects that connect his two homelands, Vietnam and France.

In October this year, he will return to Vietnam to continue his cultural projects. His second project is a musical film introducing Vietnamese football, the most popular sport in Vietnam.

François Bibonne was born in Fontainebleau, France. He holds a master’s degree in History from the Sorbonne University and has worked as a communications manager at the Fontainebleau School of Music and Fine Arts.

Vietnam - Italy Friendship Highlighted through Documentary Images A friendship exchange programme on Vietnam – Italy solidarity was held by the Vietnam – Italy Friendship Association and the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Associations in the ...

Foreign Documentary About Cave Tourism in Vietnam Gained Positive Online Reviews Famous online critics from The Guardian and British Film Institute are just as excited as the international audiences about the UK, Ireland premiere of "A ...