Director Trinh Dinh Le Minh: “Entering the private zone is the bravest journey of a filmmaker”

With your experience in filmmaking and storytelling, what do you usually notice first in a short film project presented by a young director?

Trinh Dinh Le Minh: The first thing I look for in a young filmmaker’s project is whether they are actively working to shape their own style, perspective and narrative voice.

Even if these personal marks are still in their early stages, perhaps not yet fully defined, I hope to see persistence—the courage to experiment, to test, to develop with each film. What matters is not being afraid to go all the way, not fearing mistakes, but embracing them, so that step by step a distinctive style can emerge.

When accompanying the CJ Short Film Project Evaluation Board season 6 (2025), what excites you most about this year’s young filmmakers?

TDLM: Each year, I look forward to discovering fresh voices, unique and authentic creative personalities. Every film becomes not only an artwork but also a reflection of perspectives, experiences and inner worlds that only its creator can capture vividly and truthfully.

I anticipate untold stories, unusual yet powerful viewpoints, and promising new names. I believe the new generation of directors, especially those born in 2000, or even as late as 2005 and beyond will ignite a fresh flame for Vietnamese cinema. They bring with them youth, sensitivity and singular ways of seeing the world.

Yet the journey is rarely smooth. Even with guidance and support from predecessors, true strength must come from within. The willingness to take risks is as important as exploring uncharted paths in art. Put simply, however far one dares to venture, mentors can only accompany you from where you stand.

Many young people today are very good at technique and images, but for you, what is the “root” for a story to reach the audience?

TDLM: I completely agree that today’s younger generation are highly skilled in technique and visuals. Yet the essence of a story reaching its audience lies in cultural depth and perception of life. Directors must cultivate a fresh, non-judgemental outlook, while constantly enriching their knowledge and experience. A singular perspective on life becomes the foundation that breathes vitality into the work and sets it apart.

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Leaving a lasting impression with Thua Me Con Di, which carried a profound message within the LGBTQ+ community. A love story, whether straight or gay, always needs something to anchor its emotions. What is that for you?

Thua Me Con Di is a film about a couple, yet it grows complex when framed within a family setting. I had to shape it in such a way that audiences still felt it was at heart a love story between two people.

The audience must believe in the relationship between the actors, and the actors themselves must truly see each other as lovers. On set, I created a safe space for them to drop their guard and place absolute trust in one another. There were moments when they could surrender, relax and trust completely, allowing emotions to flow naturally.

Love is not only about sweetness but also about clashes, quarrels, longing glances and intimacy. Technically, all these nuances were carefully crafted in the script.

What would you say to young people who are still afraid because they want to pursue very unique things in cinema?

TDLM: Making films from a deeply personal place is the bravest journey, and also the most sacred gift an artist can offer. That personal essence, like a small yet brilliant streak of light, is what creates an unmistakable difference.

When you tell a story with sincerity and lived emotion, it becomes a language that reaches into different corners of the audience’s soul. Both judges and viewers not only see but also feel the rhythm and breath of the story, moving them to empathy and connection. Do not hesitate to create from personal truths, for they are the guiding light, the soul of the work and the most precious offering to life.

Making a gentle film about same-sex love, is it also a brave act?

For me, making such a film felt entirely natural and comfortable. The true courage rests with the investors. They did not pressure me to alter the script, even though there were temptations to make the film more “eye-catching”. What mattered most was preserving its own identity. I chose to move at a measured pace, patiently safeguarding the values I wished to convey.

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Do you ever feel like you are an “insider” in the story you tell, not just the director?

TDLM: Being a director always makes me feel as though I am in love. True love means daring to show vulnerability. I allowed myself to be honest with the actors and crew, building a profound sense of connection. I used to tell the actors that even if their first role was not perfect, they could begin again. But for a director, especially when making a debut film, the weight is immense, like a heavy stone on the shoulder, difficult to overcome lightly. Filmmaking feels like building a close relationship: it begins with feeling and understanding, and gradually grows into commitment.

If a young director wanted to make a film about the community, what would be the first advice you would give them?

TDLM: Joy. When you bring your heart and mind to the joy of storytelling, it will give life to the film and radiate to the audience. Joy is not simply about enjoying the story itself, but also about your own growth and fulfilment in the creative process. If you tell a story that does not belong to you, without a deep connection, how can the audience feel that passion?

Finally, in your view as a director, what is responsible art?

TDLM: Making art responsibly is essential in today’s world, particularly as so many social and personal issues call for acknowledgement. Art cannot stand apart; it must serve as a voice with depth.

That responsibility begins within each artist; with the way we see ourselves, with self-awareness. From there comes recognition of the impact our work has on others. When we remain sensitive and alert, we learn to weigh even the smallest details, so as not to cause harm or spread negativity unintentionally. It is a path of continual self-reflection, self-improvement and sincerity.

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