Director Manh Ha's firsthand experience at "Father and Son, a Thousand Miles"
Stepping away from the director's chair to become a participant in the experience alongside his two children, Nguyen Manh Ha impressed with his educational philosophy that prioritizes freedom and happiness over rigid, mechanical methods.
Nguyen Manh Ha, the director behind the first episodes of the "Father and Son's Journey" program, recently made a surprising role reversal. Instead of directing from behind the camera, he and his two children, Nguyen Ngoc Gia Minh (Gin, 5 years old) and Nguyen Phu Gia Binh (Tao, 3 years old), directly participated in the journey as experiential characters.
A cultural journey in Lung Cu, Tuyen Quang.
During their trip to Lung Cu (Tuyen Quang), the father and his two sons participated in many unique cultural activities of the local people. These experiences included witnessing the sacred flag-changing ceremony at the Lung Cu flagpole, practicing the traditional technique of painting with beeswax on fabric, and trying their hand at laying yin-yang roof tiles.
Although the long journey provided much useful knowledge, it also made the children tired and prone to irritability. Director Manh Ha admitted that there were times when Gin and Tao were uncooperative, forcing him to spend a lot of time comforting them and helping them calm down.
Patience and a liberal educational philosophy
Throughout the journey, the director portrayed the image of a patient father. In the face of his children's tantrums and crying, he remained calm, avoiding harsh words or frustration. He respected his children's freedom: from playing and exploring to expressing personal emotions or saying no.
A perspective on educational philosophy rather than method.
Sharing his approach to raising children, director Mạnh Hà said he doesn't apply rigid techniques or methods from textbooks. For him, the most important thing is an educational philosophy that aims for freedom and happiness.
"I want my children to be free and happy, those are the only two points. I simply believe that if I just love my children, I will find a way," Mr. Ha confided.
The program "Father and Son Traveling Thousands of Miles," featuring director Mạnh Hà and his two children, is currently airing from Tuesday to Sunday every week at 7:10 AM on VTV3.
