War surgeon’s diary heads to the big screen

Production is underway on Dung Dot, Trong Do Da Co Lua (Don't Burn, It Has Fire in It Already), director Dang Nhat Minh's adaptation of the bestselling diaries of war surgeon Dang Thuy Tram.

Hollywood ending: Director Dang Nhat Minh (in sunglasses) works with American actors on his film's New Jersey location shoot.

The film will depict the life and work of the liberation army doctor who was killed by American troops in 1970 in Central Vietnam.

Her diaries, preserved by an American soldier for 30 years before being returned and published in 2006 by the Writers Association Publishing House. It has also been translated into English and published in the US under the title, Last Night I Dreamed of Peace.

Despite the celebrated source material, Minh says he feels no pressure with the shoot. Filming commenced with a ten-day shoot last autumn in New Jersey in the US, serving as a location for the home of US soldier Fred Witehurst who preserved the diaries.

"These scenes make up about a third of the movie which will be completed this year," said Minh.

Casting for the role of Whitehurst took place in the US two months prior to shooting, he said.

"We received a lot of support from the Monmouth County Arts Council and Black Box Theatre, La Mama Theatre and Soho Rep Theatre which announced the casting call to theatres and television production studios in New Jersey and New York," said Minh.

"From Hanoi, I saw about 40 actors who auditioned for the role."

Finally, with help from New Jersey-based film-maker Tran Minh Hoa, the director cast eight American actors in the film. Whitehurst as a young soldier is played by Matt Korsch, who is an actor, director and playwright. He had to lose weight and grow a beard for the role.

Michael Jarmus, himself a veteran, plays Whitehurst in the present day.

"I'm really satisfied with the two actors. They've worked very hard," said Minh. They will come to Vietnam in the summer to film the Duc Pho battlefield and in Hanoi.

While the crew was shooting in New Jersey, the real Fred Witehurst came by the set for about three days. He inspired actors with his memories about Duc Pho, his emotions when he read the diary, and why he wanted to preserve the book.

Witehurst also played a brief cameo role as a lawyer in the film.

The film will have two cinematographers, American Richard Connors and Vietnamese Vu Duc Tung, the latter of whom will handle scenes to be shot in Vietnam this year, said Minh.

Scenes with an American military helicopter will have to be shot at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Minh said, because the ageing helicopter isn't up to being flown long distances, he said.

(Source: Viet Nam News)