Movie spotlight
17th Parallel, Nights and Days
Following the 1954 Geneva Accords that partitioned Vietnam into two zones at the 17th parallel, a pregnant Dịu remains back in the South with her family while her husband has to move up North. At home, the young woman has to juggle between the duties of a liberation fighter and a mother while enduring her enemies' tortures and imprisonment, as she assumes the leadership of an underground liberation movement after its previous secretary was assassinated
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary, filmed during the Vietnam War, offers a rare glimpse into the lives of ordinary Vietnamese people living under the constant threat of conflict. It juxtaposes the resilience and daily routines of civilians with the pervasive presence of war and propaganda. The film highlights the stark realities faced by those on the ground, caught between the ideological battles of nations.
Critical Reception
The film received critical acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of civilian life amidst war and its unique cinematic approach. It is recognized for its historical significance and its powerful, humanist perspective on the Vietnam War.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its poetic and observational style in capturing the 'nights and days' of ordinary lives during wartime.
Cited as a vital, non-combative perspective on the Vietnam War, focusing on the human cost.
Appreciated for its historical documentation of Vietnamese society during a tumultuous period.
Google audience: N/A
Fun Fact
Joris Ivens, a Dutch filmmaker, made this film as a co-production with Vietnamese filmmakers, spending several years in the country to capture its realities.
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