Kenh Te

Title

Kenh Te

Description

"Kenh Te" is a contemplative short film crafted from a series of video sketches depicting the western end of the Te canal in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The film explores the life and transformations of Kenh Te, a waterway that, like many others in Vietnam, faces pollution and the erosion of its functional identity following the decline of the District 4 port and water-based trading.

Through the lens of the canal itself, the film presents a unique perspective on the vibrant and rapidly modernising city. The camera captures the murky waters, subtly revealing the hidden life beneath the surface, where small fish thrive around clusters of water hyacinths. These floating plants become habitats for butterflies and small birds, symbolising the delicate ecosystem that persists amidst urbanisation.

The film also showcases barges that evoke the canal's historical past while hinting at the remnants of a floating market. Alongside these serene images, the edges of the frame are alive with the bustling activity of the community. People are seen traversing over a bridge or moving along Tran Xuan Soan Street, illustrating the juxtaposition of the canal's quiet persistence against the backdrop of the city's relentless pace.

"Kenh Te" offers a reflective glimpse into the intertwined fates of natural and urban landscapes, inviting viewers to consider the enduring presence and evolving role of the canal in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Date

2024

Creator

Andrew Stiff

Type

Digital Video

Format

mov

Rights

CC BY-NC 4.0

Language

N/A

Contributor

RMIT Figshare

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.25439/rmt.27633696.v1

Subject

Dissemination