Like the Moon in the Night 2025 at COMPLEX 01
As part of the Like the Moon in the Night 2025 series, organized by the TPD Film Center, two compelling events “Cinema, New Memories: Stories from Asian Film Archive, MARG1N Magazine & Carlotta Films” and “Film Workshops in Vietnam: Stories from TPD Film Center, Varan Vietnam, Hanoi Doclab, and Autumn Meeting” took place at COMPLEX 01, solidifying its role as a vital cultural hub in Hanoi. Supported by the Vietnam Film Institute, the French Institute in Vietnam, the French Embassy, the British Council’s Connections Through Culture program in collaboration with Star Nhà Ease, the Purin Fund, and a close partnership with COMPLEX 01, these events delivered profound discussions that connected filmmakers, curators, and cinema enthusiasts, offering multifaceted perspectives on the heritage, practice, and future of Vietnamese and international cinema.
The “Cinema, New Memories: Stories from Asian Film Archive, MARG1N Magazine & Carlotta Films” talk brought together representatives from three influential organizations in film archiving and practice: Asian Film Archive, MARG1N, and Carlotta Films. Asian Film Archive focused on introspective questions about memory: Whose stories are preserved in cinematic memory? What gaps persist in archives? Meanwhile, MARG1N, through its vision of establishing a cinema magazine, explored cultural and historical connections between nations through the language of film. Carlotta Films shared insights on film distribution and the potential of digital archiving, creating opportunities for broader audiences to engage with cinematic heritage.
Moderated by artist and curator Nguyễn Quốc Thành, the discussion went beyond technical exchanges, touching on personal emotions as speakers shared intimate cinematic moments that continue to resonate with them. The audience Q&A following a screening further deepened the exploration of creating new memories through cinema, sparking fresh momentum for the film-loving community.
The “Film Workshops in Vietnam: Stories from TPD Film Center, Varan Vietnam, Hanoi Doclab, and Autumn Meeting” talk offered a comprehensive look at over two decades of independent organizations shaping Vietnam’s cinematic landscape: TPD Film Center, Varan Vietnam, Hanoi Doclab, and Autumn Meeting. Established in 2002 under the leadership of director Bùi Thạc Chuyên, TPD Film Center pioneered training programs like the 10 Films in 10 Months Project, We Make Films, and Cinema Space, nurturing talents such as Phan Đăng Di and Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp while fostering a young audience community.
Varan Vietnam, inspired by the hands-on ethos of Ateliers Varan and filmmaker Jean Rouch, trained a new generation of documentary filmmakers, including Trần Phương Thảo and Hà Lệ Diễm, who brought fresh perspectives on Vietnamese realities. Hanoi Doclab, founded by artist Nguyễn Trinh Thi in 2009, created a space for documentary and video art, promoting interdisciplinary approaches and hosting the notable Docfest. Autumn Meeting, initiated by Phan Đăng Di and Trần Thị Bích Ngọc in 2013, evolved into an international platform supporting young filmmakers through workshops and connections with prestigious film festivals. Moderated by artist and curator Trương Quế Chi, the talk fostered a vibrant dialogue, illuminating the contributions of these organizations to Vietnam’s independent cinema today.
Like the Moon in the Night 2025 at COMPLEX 01 underscored cinema’s power as a cultural bridge, cementing the venue’s role as an ideal space for high-quality artistic experiences in the capital.
