“The Fox Gets What He Deserves” is the first Vietnamese animation film. Five Vietnamese animation films will be screened at L’Espace on April 19 with their soundtracks played live - PHOTO: COURTESY OF VIETNAMESE ANIMATION STUDIO

The “Red Balloons: Music for 20th Century Vietnamese Animation” program, jointly organized by The Onion Cellar and the Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents, presents five Vietnamese animation films produced between 1960 and 2000.

Animations are not just created for children. Many of them contain viewpoints, inspiration, perseverance, hope and even ideologies that reflect the historical context of certain times.

With “Dang Doi Thang Cao” (The Fox Gets What He Deserves) first appearing in 1959, Vietnamese animation films have been largely influenced by topics, motifs and social situations of the pre-reform era.

Primarily produced by the Vietnamese Animation Studio before 2000, the films celebrate efforts and achievements in modernizing and industrializing a post-war nation, or criticize bad behaviors. Moreover, they cull tales from mythology, ancient history, or fantastical adventures.

During the program, the animations’ soundtracks will be played live by underground artists from HCMC and Hanoi, who combine various genres, from upbeat electronics to textured ambient, contemporary classical music, and indigenous instrumentation.

The event is supported by British Council Vietnam, Vietnam Film Institute, L’Espace Hanoi, Goethe-Institut Hanoi, Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, and Dogma Collection.

Conceived and curated by Tran Duy Hung, “Red Balloons: Music for 20th Century Vietnamese Animation” is part of an ongoing initiative implemented by the Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents around Vietnamese cinema in the past, present and future.

The event will be held on Sunday, April 19, starting 6:30 p.m. SGT

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