Nguyễn Phúc Tộc Council Demands Historical Accuracy in The Last Queen Film

Council Warns Against “Unfounded Interpretations”

According to Nguyễn Phước Bửu Nam, Chairman of the Nguyễn Phúc Tộc Council of Vietnam, the council issued the communiqué on July 18. The move follows the emergence of cinematic works inspired by the Nguyễn Dynasty that contain fictional details regarding Emperor Bảo Đại, Empress Nam Phương, and Empress Dowager Từ Cung.

The Council stated that certain characterizations and plot points have sparked conflicting opinions and risk creating inaccurate public perceptions of historical figures and contexts. While acknowledging that artists have the right to creative freedom, the Council warned that applying 21st-century moral standards, psychological views, or social values to the early 20th century requires careful consideration. They noted that interpretations lacking a factual basis can lead to public misunderstanding of documented historical events and figures.

Demands for Transparency and Fact-Checking

The Council emphasized that the depiction of Emperor Bảo Đại, Empress Nam Phương, and Empress Dowager Từ Cung should be based on reliable historical sources, including archives, letters, memoirs, diaries, photographs, and eyewitness testimony. They warned that fictional details linked directly to the identities of historical figures without a clear basis could damage the honor and prestige of ancestors and cause pain to descendants and historians.

To balance creative freedom with historical responsibility, the Nguyễn Phúc Tộc Council requested that production and distribution units:

• Publicly and transparently disclose the documentary basis for fictional details when a work is introduced as being based on historical figures or events.
• Provide clear explanations, corrections, or annotations for fictional content that the public might mistake for historical fact.
• Consider changing character names if the work uses creative elements that cannot be proven by reliable historical documents, ensuring compliance with the law and professional ethics.

Controversy Surrounding “The Last Queen”

The dispute specifically highlights the project The Last Queen, directed by the duo Bảo Nhân and Nam Cito. Following the release of a teaser on July 7, the film became a subject of intense social media debate. Critics, including researchers and specialists, have questioned the accuracy of the costumes, particularly those worn by the Empress Dowager and other figures of the Nguyễn Dynasty.

The film, which began shooting on March 20 and is set primarily at the Kiến Trung Palace in the Huế Imperial City, is inspired by the true love story of Empress Nam Phương and Emperor Bảo Đại. However, director Nam Cito stated that the film is not a pure historical film but a psychological-social work. He explained that the production does not aim to recreate the entire lives of the historical figures, but rather focuses on the “emotional gaps” and the human side of the people behind their titles.

Government and Industry Response

Đặng Trần Cường, Director of the Cinema Department, confirmed that his office has received public concerns regarding the trailer for The Last Queen. He stated that the Cinema Department encourages artistic creativity, provided it remains within the framework of the law.

Director Cường noted that public feedback has been forwarded to the production team for their reference. He clarified that the Cinema Department can only provide a formal evaluation once the complete film is submitted for appraisal, at which point a council will review the entire work according to current regulations.

The film, which marks the return of actress Tăng Thanh Hà after approximately 17 years, also features artists Diệu Đức, Hồng Vân, Ma Ran Đô, and Trâm Anh. It is scheduled for theatrical release in March 2027.