Lao Department of Cinema

Background

As its name suggests, Lao Department of Cinema is the department of cinema of the Lao government, which is part of the Ministry of Culture. Until 1989, the department had a monopoly on film production. The first feature-length film produced after the monarchy was abolished is Gun Voice from the Plain of Jars, directed by Somchith Pholsena in 1983, but its release was prevented by censorship.

Logo (1976)

Visuals: On an August First-like blue space background, the coat of arms of Laos used from 1975 to 1992 is shown. The coat of arms consists of two crescent-shaped stalks of fully ripened rice at both sides and red ribbons bearing the inscription "Peace, Independence, Democracy" ("ສັນຕິພາບ ເອກະລາດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ") on the left, and "Unity and Prosperity" ("ເອກະພາບ ວັດຖະນາຖາວອນ") on the right, and finally, the middle ribbon containing Laos' full name: "Lao People's Democratic Republic" ("ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ"). Over the middle ribbon, a cog wheel is seen. Inside of the whole circle, there is depicted a paddy field, a forest, and a hydroelectric dam. On top of the scenery, the hammer and sickle, with a 3D-like red star over it, can be seen. After a few seconds, the screen cuts to video footage video of waterfalls and a sea, with some islands also seen in the footage. The department's name doesn't appear.

Technique: Motion-control animation and live-action.

Audio: A proud-sounding bombastic French-like orchestral fanfare.

Availability: Seen only on Ladu Ban Haim, translating to New Spring.