Hong Cam Dao

Writing

Born: January 4, 1924

Birthplace: Nam Dinh, Vietnam

Đào Hồng Cẩm (b. Cao Mạnh Tùng, Nam Định province, 4 January 1924 - 16 January 1990) was a Vietnamese writer, playwright and screenwriter, considered to be one of the most important figures in modern Vietnamese theater. He joined the army in 1947, while working as a teacher in the mountains. During the first Indochina war, he actively participated in the campfire stage activities within his unit. From 1950 to 1954, Đào worked in the literary department of the 308th Division. Here he began to write plays, but mainly for animated films and short plays. In 1956, Đào wrote the comedy "Nghị Hụt", in collaboration with Sỹ Hanh. His later scripts have been greatly popular, such as "Before Victory Hour" (Trước giờ chiến thắng, 1960); "Nhan" (Chị Nhàn, 1961); "Rising Storm" (Nổi gió, 1964); "A Mother" (Một người mẹ, 1974); etc. "Nhan" and "Rising Storm", both figuring the image of the heroic revolutionary Vietnamese woman, are representative works of Vietnamese theater during the war years. "Rising Storm" was later adapted by director Huy Thành into a famous film of the same name. Another one of Đào Hồng Cẩm's recurring figures is that of the Vietnamese communist soldier.