The new building: a tale of The new building: a tale of two archivestwo archives

Bounchao PhichitBounchao PhichitLao National Film Archive and Lao National Film Archive and

Video CentreVideo Centre

The Lao National film Archive and The Lao National film Archive and Video Center (LNFAVC) Video Center (LNFAVC)

Founded in 1991Founded in 1991Difficulty : lack funding , unexperienced archivists, poor Difficulty : lack funding , unexperienced archivists, poor film storage and equipment.film storage and equipment.1995: Improvement of film vaults (Temperature:18- 20*C 1995: Improvement of film vaults (Temperature:18- 20*C ; 50-70%RH); 50-70%RH)1998:Repatriated 1132 reels of film from Vietnam1998:Repatriated 1132 reels of film from VietnamPresently 21 staffPresently 21 staffKey function : Preservation , Production and Key function : Preservation , Production and dissemination film and video materialsdissemination film and video materialsCurrent collection: 16 000 reels of film (16mm,35mm) Current collection: 16 000 reels of film (16mm,35mm) and 1220videotapes(Video8,VHS,SVHS,MiniDV,DVPro)and 1220videotapes(Video8,VHS,SVHS,MiniDV,DVPro)

Traditional Cooperation with Traditional Cooperation with Vietnam in the past for cinemaVietnam in the past for cinema

Helped Lao filmmakers to produce first Lao film Helped Lao filmmakers to produce first Lao film in 1956.in 1956.Trained Lao filmmakers and film technicians Trained Lao filmmakers and film technicians during the war time.during the war time.Many produced films in the liberated zone during Many produced films in the liberated zone during the war time helped by Vietnamese filmmakersthe war time helped by Vietnamese filmmakersEquipped film projectors and cameras and Equipped film projectors and cameras and related equipment to Lao filmmakers in liberated related equipment to Lao filmmakers in liberated zonezonePreserved Lao films 30 Yrs. Until 1998Preserved Lao films 30 Yrs. Until 1998Post- production Post- production

Implementation of the ProjectImplementation of the Project

2001 SEAPAVAA Conference in Bangkok: discussion about the 2001 SEAPAVAA Conference in Bangkok: discussion about the Cooperation ProjectCooperation Project2002 SEAPAVAA Conference in Vientiane: Signed MOU.2002 SEAPAVAA Conference in Vientiane: Signed MOU.Nov. 2003: Governments approved the project worth 10 bio. dong Nov. 2003: Governments approved the project worth 10 bio. dong ( approx. 700,000US$)( approx. 700,000US$)7 April 2004: Opening Ceremony ( started the construction)7 April 2004: Opening Ceremony ( started the construction)Feb. 2005 Completed the building ( 36,5m long and 12m wide ; 2 Feb. 2005 Completed the building ( 36,5m long and 12m wide ; 2 film vaults with 700m3V. ; T = 10*C and 35%RH)film vaults with 700m3V. ; T = 10*C and 35%RH)Presently request the budget to construct the outside area as car Presently request the budget to construct the outside area as car park and garden)park and garden)One of the best film vaults in ASEAN countries.One of the best film vaults in ASEAN countries.

ConclusionConclusion

Good symbol of the cooperation between two archives in Good symbol of the cooperation between two archives in SEAPAVAASEAPAVAASuccessful Project Successful Project Meet the requirement for the preservation of film heritage Meet the requirement for the preservation of film heritage in Laosin LaosTrust of the governments to LNFAVC and VFI for Trust of the governments to LNFAVC and VFI for supporting the new projectssupporting the new projectsIncreased visibility of the LNFAVC through opening Increased visibility of the LNFAVC through opening ceremony and physical presenceceremony and physical presenceWe are in the boot of the Government car, not the rear We are in the boot of the Government car, not the rear vision mirror, but we worked hard to open the lidvision mirror, but we worked hard to open the lid