Director Nguyen Quang Dung shares insights with Van Lang University students on literary adaptations in cinema

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Thanh Phuc
Date
01/04/2025(354 views)
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On April 2, 2025, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Van Lang University organized the seminar “Adapted Films and Remakes in Relation to Literature”. The event welcomed acclaimed film director Nguyen Quang Dung and Dr. Dao Thi Diem Trang as guest speakers, along with the enthusiastic participation of Van Lang University students.

Director Nguyen Quang Dung emphasized that literature has had a profound influence on many creative arts, particularly cinema. He noted that each form of art brings about a unique effect: literature evokes imagination through words, while cinema delivers vivid and tangible images that bring literary feelings to life. For that reason, adapting literary works into films allows creators to offer fresh perspectives with personal imprints. In the case of remakes, he stressed that literary elements play a key role in rewriting the script to suit local tastes, making the film more accessible and financially viable. Crucially, he added, any adaptation must maintain a coherent and realistic storyline that allows the audience to connect deeply with the film.

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Literature has a tremendous impact on creative fields, including cinema, shared director Nguyen Quang Dung.

Film scholar Dr. Dao Thi Diem Trang shared that research suggests the first adapted film appeared in 1902, while the first remake dates back to 1896 - both originating in cinema’s earliest days. Since then, numerous literary and poetic works have been transformed into films. While some remakes have failed to meet audience expectations, many films have skillfully conveyed messages rooted in literature, religion, and philosophy. This has inspired audiences to explore the original works. She encouraged viewers to approach adapted films and remakes with an open and relaxed mindset, seeing them as an extension of two distinctive storytelling mediums: literature and cinema.

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Dr. Dao Thi Diem Trang advised audiences to embrace adaptations and remakes with an open heart

Both guest speakers agreed that while literature and cinema often evolve in parallel, each has its own expressive style. Therefore, when adapting literature into film, creators must pay careful attention to the key elements that made the original work successful and consider factors that will ensure the adapted version resonates with audiences. Innovation and creativity during the adaptation process, they concluded, are vital to producing lasting cinematic works.

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The seminar drew great interest from lecturers and students across Van Lang University.

The event not only deepened the understanding of how literature and cinema intersect, particularly for students in the Applied Literature program, but also broadened potential career directions for students of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

News: Thanh Phuc
Photo: Nhu Hieu

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