The film is rich in the colors of Vietnamese rural life.

(Baonghean)The film's title, "When Will October Come?", evokes the words of an old folk song about the joyful hope of farmers awaiting the October harvest. The heavy grains of rice in their hands, having endured countless storms, hardships, and sacrifices, yield a golden harvest. Alongside the visible sacrifices and courage on the front lines facing the enemy, there is also the hidden and noble sacrifice of those on the home front – the wives and mothers – seemingly insignificant, yet possessing the powerful and profound life force that leads to victory. These are the messages that screenwriter and director Dang Nhat Minh wishes to convey in his work.

There are no grand events, thrilling plot twists, or intense conflicts. The film tells a simple and touching story: Duyen receives news that Nam, her beloved husband, has died on the battlefield. Suppressing her own grief, she silently keeps the news hidden from her family and villagers, mainly because her elderly father-in-law is seriously ill, and partly because she still clings to a faint glimmer of hope. By chance, Khang, a teacher at the village school, also learns of the story. Moved by Duyen's noble heart and silent sacrifice, he joins her efforts, even if it means becoming the "author" of the letters sent from her unit.

Misunderstood, Khang is transferred to another school. His unit sends someone back to report Nam's sacrifice while his elderly father is dying... The plot is simple, and the scenery in the film is very rustic and unpretentious. The boat on the river, the banyan tree with the village communal house, the small village along the river and the "Truong Vien" rowing night, a simple thatched house, a field, a village school, the dike with a kite full of wind... these are the profound thoughts and subtle, tender emotions of the director about Duyen's silent sacrifice, contributing to the noble beauty in the soul of Vietnamese women. The love between Duyen and Nam is portrayed by the author in such a meaningful and pure way. The film raises the question of the responsibility of the living towards those who have fallen for this land. On the other hand, it encourages the living to love each other and be more responsible for each other because of the deceased. Therefore, the ideal of beauty in the film has lasting social realism and profound moral significance.

Scene from the movie "When Will October Come?".

The success of the film "When Will October Come?" lies in its vividly and fairly consistent portrayal of its characters. In particular, the character of Duyen (played by Le Van), the film's protagonist, captivated and won over audiences with her authentic portrayal of a real person, a real situation, and a real-life fate. The character's personality develops and evolves. Duyen is innocent and naive in her youthful love, yet calm, thoughtful, and attentive to her family after receiving news of her husband's death. She is kind-hearted and full of hope for the future as she takes her child to school, with the red flag fluttering in the October fields...

These developments align with the logic of life and psychology. The inner world of the character is explored from many different angles: actions, acting, relationships, recollections... even dreams and hallucinations, which give the character depth. Duyen embodies both the common yet typical traits of Vietnamese women: loving her husband, caring for her children, being diligent and faithful, and possessing a very unique and unmistakable face of life. With Le Van's natural acting talent and ability to portray inner emotions, Duyen has earned a well-deserved place in Vietnamese cinema.

The film has a tight structure, both focusing and harmonizing between people and nature, between daily life and psychology, between everyday reality and poetic romance... The flashbacks, dreams, and hallucinations are used appropriately according to the laws of life and psychology, bringing about a positive aesthetic effect to the work. This includes the hallucination of the "Guardian Deity," an image symbolizing the tradition of fighting invaders and saving the country, a message from history to the present generation. The dream of reunion under the "market of yin and yang" is, in a way, a pure dream of marital happiness, a song about immortal love.

The famous scene depicts the Yin-Yang market.

Director Dang Nhat Minh once confided that he wanted to achieve something truly national and Vietnamese through his film. His wish became a reality, stemming from the setting of the story—a familiar village, steeped in history and surrounded by serene and poetic natural scenery, and from the people he encountered daily—simple, hardworking, and deeply connected to their community. From the discreet, silently sacrificing souls, full of compassion... everything is imbued with the distinct flavor and essence of Vietnam. It can be said that national identity has become the core "essence" of "When Will October Come?", permeating and dissolving throughout the film in all aspects, from its subject matter and ideological themes to its plot structure, imagery, and the actors' performances.

"When Will October Come?" is a captivating feature film, rich in national cultural identity, deserving of the prestigious awards it has received: the Golden Lotus Award at the Vietnam Film Festival in 1989; the Special Jury Prize at the Hawaii International Film Festival in the USA - 1987; and recently, it was selected by CNN as one of the 18 best Asian films of all time. Along with films such as "Sharing the Same River," "The Wild Field," and "The 17th Parallel, Day and Night," it has become a classic of Vietnamese cinema.

Le Lan (47, Dang Thuc Hua Street, Vinh)