Secretly filming: A small act, big consequences

Hanoi [Vietnam], February 24: Just a few dozen seconds of secretly filmed footage in a movie theater can spread like wildfire on social media. But behind those curious views lies a story about copyright, awareness, and respect for creative work...
While the movie "Rabbit, Oh My Rabbit" was attracting audiences to theaters, an unpleasant reality emerged: numerous leaked clips appeared on social media, even revealing crucial plot points. While the film crew was busy promoting the movie, director Tran Thanh had to speak out, asking viewers to "sympathize with the hard work of so many people involved in making this film." That statement might sound gentle, but behind it lies a significant worry for those in the film industry.
Secretly filming is nothing new. What's concerning is that this behavior is increasingly being taken lightly, as if it were just a harmless "social media habit." With just a phone, a few simple steps, and a sufficiently large following, anyone can become a "source of distribution" of unauthorized content. In the digital environment, a short clip of just a few dozen seconds can spread at an uncontrollable speed.
Many argue that filming only a short segment won't have a significant impact. But filmmaking doesn't operate on the idea that "a little bit is okay." A leaked climactic scene can diminish the excitement of viewers who haven't seen the film yet. A revealed plot twist can detract from the cinematic experience. The damage isn't just about a few fewer tickets sold, but also about the feeling of being violated for those who put their effort into creating the work.
Let's be frank: illegally filming and distributing movies is a copyright infringement. A film is intellectual property protected by law. Behind those two hours of "going to theaters" are months, even years, of preparation by an entire team. From script development, casting, set design, filming, post-production to distribution - each stage is associated with specific costs and responsibilities. When content is illegally uploaded online just days after its release, it's no longer an "accidental" incident, but a direct violation of legitimate rights.
A comprehensive solution is needed to address the problem of secretly filming people.
Vietnamese law does not lack regulations on punishing the illegal copying and distribution of works. The problem lies in enforcement. If violators believe they are unlikely to be detected or that they will only receive a "warning," the deterrent effect will not be strong enough. There is a need for cases to be dealt with strictly and publicly so that society understands that this is not a joke played in the shadows of movie theaters.
However, relying solely on penalties is not enough. Movie theaters - the first place where surreptitious filming can be prevented - need to be more proactive in their control. Clear reminders before each screening, increased in-room surveillance, and decisive action against violations are measures that need to be implemented simultaneously. A civilized viewing environment must be built on both awareness and specific regulations.
In the online space, platforms also need to react quickly to copyrighted content. If a clip remains online for too long before being removed, the damage has already been done. Close cooperation between producers, distributors, and authorities is essential if we want to curb this problem.
However, the most sustainable solution still lies with the audience. A cultured movie-watching experience isn't just about queuing for tickets or maintaining silence in the theater, but also about how you behave after leaving the screening room. Not secretly filming, not sharing infringing content, not encouraging accounts that "gain views" by clicking to watch and comment - ​​that's a personal choice. When the community stops assisting, the motivation for profit will gradually disappear.
Vietnamese cinema is currently in a period of high expectations, with large investment projects and ambitions to expand the market. However, if every film released faces the risk of being "fragmented" on social media, the bold investment will be difficult to sustain in the long run. No one wants to spend tens or hundreds of billions of dong on a product whose value is eroded after just a few taps on a screen.
A few dozen seconds of secretly filmed footage might seem insignificant to an individual, but when multiplied into thousands of shares, it has major repercussions for the entire creative environment.
Protecting a film isn't just the responsibility of the production team. It's a shared responsibility of theaters, digital platforms, regulatory bodies, and above all, every viewer. Because cinema can only develop sustainably when it's supported by respect - starting with seemingly small things.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper