XUYẾN XANH: Workshops that nurtured VÙNG TRŨNG (The Hollow) short film
Back in 2023, VÙNG TRŨNG — a short film that proudly reached the Top 5 at the CJ Short Film Awards—began its journey of fundraising through a unique workshop series called XUYẾN XANH.
The XUYẾN XANH Series unfolded in three parts, each offering a different path of discovery:
- Xuyến Thấu — led by director Anh La: A workshop exploring the artistry of visual storytelling in cinema.
- Xuyến Hoạ — led by director Kỷ Thế Vinh: A workshop on the beauty of traditional indigo dyeing in Northwest Vietnam.
- Xuyến Trà — led by me: A workshop on the timeless beauty of ancient tea trees in the Northwest.
Xuyến Trà: Introducing a local specialty featured in the film’s setting
Of course, at first we asked ourselves: why Tea?
My Tea Workshop did not emerge by accident. The film Vùng Trũng is set in Hà Giang, a highland province on Vietnam’s northwest border. This is not only the backdrop of the story but also the homeland of Vietnam’s centuries-old ancient tea trees. The presence of tea is therefore inseparable from the spirit of the film itself — becoming both a symbol and a companion to its journey.
Among them, Xuyến Trà became a gentle space of stillness and connection. Participants gathered to converse, reflect, and savor ancient forest teas from the highlands of Northwest Vietnam. Brewed from centuries-old tea trees — their roots woven deep into the soil, their trunks standing resilient amidst mountain forests — each cup carried the essence of earth and sky. The teas, curated from the Rare Forest Tea Collection by Plantrip Cha, transformed simple sips into a shared experience of grounding and clarity.
A Collective Step Forward
Through XUYẾN XANH, every story exchanged and every cup of tea poured became part of the energy that carried VÙNG TRŨNG forward. It was not just about raising funds — it was about weaving community into the very fabric of the film’s journey.
