Art & Entertainment News 31/7 Famous French chef to demonstrate skills in Vietnam Christian Le Squer, a 3-star Michelin Chef, will arrive in Hanoi on August 3 at the invitation of Vietnam Sturgeon Group, a leader in the field of Sturgeon aquaculture development in Vietnam. Chef Squer is scheduled to attend a number of culinary demonstrations aimed at promoting sturgeon – a rare fish species in Vietnam. He will also attend a gala dinner Caviar de Duc at JW Marriott hotel in Hanoi and Sofitel Plaza Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City on August 5 and 9, respectively. On August 6, the French chef and Vietnamese singer Thanh Lam will visit Da Mi hydropower reservoir of the Vietnam Sturgeon Group and cook for guests at the Ana Mandara resort in Da Lat. He will also attend an opening ceremony of Icebar Dom Beluga Caviar in Nha Trang on August 8. Born in 1962, Christian Le Squer enjoys the status as one of France’s temple of haute cuisines. He has won the Michelin’s highest accolade and successfully secured the title for over 10 years. He has worked at highly acclaimed restaurants in Paris such as The Divellec, Lucas Carton, Taillevent, The Ritz, and Pavillon Ledoyen. Berlinale Short Film Festival to debut in HCM City The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) will screen ten winners of its short film category in Ho Chi Minh City on August 15-16. The Berlindale shorts, all of which are a maximum of 30 minutes long, feature a comprehensive array of the cinematic world from realism to the surrealist. The highlight of the event is the critically acclaimed film Three Stones for Jean Gernet by German director Frieder Schlaich, which has won many awards and been screened at different film festivals. Berlinale, held annually in Berlin, is one of the world’s leading film festivals and most reputable media events. Vietnamese photographers win gold medals at int'l contest   Flooding Season in An Giang by Bui Quang Vu. Vietnamese photographers won three gold medals at the international photo competition Prilep Salon in Macedonia. The black-and-white photo Tuoi Tho Tren Dong Song (Childhood on the River) by photographer Duong Phu Tam won the gold medal in the Child category, while An Giang Mua Lu (Flooding Season in An Giang) by Bui Quang Vu and Dem Binh Yen (Peaceful Evening) by Nguyen Ngoc Thach won the gold medals in the Travel category. The photo Tren Dong Muoi (On the Salt Field) by Tran Thi Thu Dong won the bronze medal in the travel category. Nearly 600 photographers from 66 countries submitted their entries for the contest, which is patronised by FIAP. Online music video promotes unique xam melody A music video featuring xam (minstrel's singing) by Ha Thanh xam club has gone on-line, making the traditional singing art popular among youth. The singers perform xam sai, a melody to express their patriotism and their attitude to social issues. The rarely performed tune was originally performed by a shaman in his battle with an evil spirit. The video is the third version of xam sai melody recorded by artisan Vu Duc Sac and composer Thao Giang focusing on eliminating illiteracy and fighting corruption. Wearable art pieces at Lucy's Dream An exhibition showcasing clothes printed with unique hand-drawn and digitally manipulated designs by Vietnamese artists has been open at Lucy's Dream, 31 Hang Giay Street. The idea behind Lucy's Dream is turning art created by Vietnamese young artists into wearable pieces of clothing. It is the second occasion since the first exhibition in June when local artists were invited to join, focusing on two subjects of Greek Mythology and Typography. The results are comfortable and eye-catching, ready-to-wear silk clothes, printed with inimitable designs that have been hand-drawn and digitally manipulated by artist partners. The design and manufacturing processes at Lucy's Dream usually take between three and five weeks, from the first sketches by artists to digital designs, followed by fabric sourcing and pre-treatment. Thereafter, the fabric is sent for printing, post-printing treatment, cutting, and sewing. The exhibition will last until August 14. Fish Sauce, Ngot to feature at live debut On Saturday, two fresh bands will debut at CAMA ATK, 73 Mai Hac De Street. Fish Sauce is the most sought-after band to make its presence felt in Ha Noi and impress audiences this summer. With a fresh blend of Vietnamese and Latin American artists, the band will present a night of original music composed by lead singer, Mai Khoi, whose song Viet Nam won the title "The Song of the Year" in 2010. Fish Sauce also comprises Araceli (Nicaragua), Sebastian (Ecuador), and Truong Sa (formerly PAK band). Alongside the Fish Sauce, the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the young Ngot, a university combo quartet. With sweet melody blends and indie folk harmonies, singer/guitarist Vu Dinh Trong Thang, bassist Ha Nguyen, guitarist Tuan Tran, and drummer Nam Anh will prove to the audience why they are already gathering a Beatles-esque following in Ha Noi. The show will commence at 8pm and the entry pass will cost VND80,000. Screening of French comedy film Vive la You are invited to the film screening of Vive la France directed by Michael Youn, which will take place at L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, on August 8. The film revolves around an adventure of two terrorists, Muzafar and Feruz, who hijack a plane and attempt to crash it into the emblem of France, the Eiffel Tower. However, at the last minute, their plane is forced to land in Corsica, which is infamous for its people's hatred towards mainland France. Often criticised as being too slapstick, the film follows the adventure of the duo in their search for the "real" France passing by Marseille (gangster centre) and Lot (the symbol of southern picturesque countryside). The 2013 movie will be presented in original French Language with Vietnamese subtitles. Tickets cost VND40,000 and VND20,000 (for L'Espace members and students). French comedies hit screens in August The Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) will screen a series of comedy films in August. The films include Asteris and Obelix: Au service de Sa Majeste (Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia), Paulette, Un jour mon pere viendra (One Day My Father Will Come), and Commone un Chef (The Chef). The animation film Les Contes de la nuit (Tales of the Night) features five fairy tales. All movies will be shown with Vietnamese subtitles. The movies are scheduled at 3pm every Saturday, at IDECAF, 28 Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1. Female DJs to perform in city Leading DJ, American Colleen Shanno, and four international female artists will present a special music performance called "Electric Steam Punk" at Queen Hall on tomorrow. Shanno, who has worked with internationally acclaimed artists like Snoop Lion, Paul Oakenfold and Funkmaster Flex, will perform with Kelly Marie from the UK, Roxy June from Thailand, Licca from Japan and Suki from Hong Kong. Vietnamese popular songstresses Ho Ngoc Ha, Trang Phap, Thu Thuy and Hoang Thuy Linh will join the show. The show will start from 8pm at 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4. Photo festival highlights Central Highlands beauty Beautiful moments of people's lives are introduced at the 19th Central and Central Highlands region photo festival, which opened in Quy Nhon city in Binh Dinh province on July 30. Co-organised by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA), the Binh Dinh provincial Literature and Arts Association, and the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the four-day festival features 150 works by 95 photographers from 10 provinces and cities in the region, namely Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Dak Nong. The works on display were selected from 1,417 colour and 189 black and white photos submitted to the contest, reflecting most aspects of people's lives in the region, in which the daily life on sea and islands was the main theme for photographers. The top prize – gold prize – was awarded to the photo ‘Determination to head to sea’ by artist Dang Van No from Da Nang. In addition, three silver, four bronze and seven consolation prizes were also granted to outstanding works. On the occasion, the VAPA also organised talks on artwork and a photo contest in Binh Dinh for photography lovers. Source: VNS/VOV/ND/SGT/VNN