Vietnam is set to complete its production of a documentary on legendary general Vo Nguyen Giap by Sept 2014.
The film, titled “Vi tuong cua nhan dan” (People’s General) will be produced on the funding from local companies and individuals.
According to the Vietnam Motion Pictures magazine, it has received the funding of roughly VND500 million (US$23,534) from 562 local companies and individuals.
“We try to keep the documentary condense but it can still depict General Giap’s air and chronicle his military career in great depth,” shared Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, the film director.
Having completed their shoots in north-central Quang Binh province, Gen. Giap’s hometown, and Hanoi, the film crew is set to film more scenes in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Dong Nai, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Can Tho provinces and the Central Highlands and some northern provinces.
The film will also feature shoots at a May 7 ceremony held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory, Vietnam’s greatest triumph during the French resistance.
The documentary will also boast several scenes of the general’s funeral in Oct 2013, the country’s largest for decades, as well as valuable file footages from several local television stations.
The film is set to be completed in Sept 2014.
Vo Nguyen Giap, the first four-star general and the former commander-in-chief of the Vietnam army, died on Oct 4 in Hanoi, more than a month after he celebrated his 103rd birthday.
General Giap started his career as a history teacher before joining the army to become the legendary general who led the Vietnam Army to defeat the French and US invaders in 1954 and 1975 respectively. He directly commanded major operations including Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and Ho Chi Minh in 1975.
He served as Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister since national reunification in 1975 until 1980. From 1981-1991, he was Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
His funeral, the largest in Vietnam for decades, drew thousands of locals who queued for several hours to pay tribute to the general. People are still visiting his resting place in Quang Binh province so far.