The controversy stems from a personal scandal involving Thien An, an actress in the film, and singer Jack (Trinh Tran Phuong Tuan). While their personal issues remain unresolved, Cai Ma, along with the director and other actors, have become targets of related criticism.
A wave of protests erupted right in the middle of the film's extensive promotional campaign. Under pressure from public opinion, Thien An's name was removed from the official poster. However, her image still appeared in the film during the recent press screening.
When asked about whether any roles would be cut, director Thang Vu vaguely stated, "Whether we cut a lot or a little, or how we cut, isn't the most important thing." Producer Emily Le expressed, "Audiences can give Cai Ma a chance, accept and evaluate the film fairly because it's the passion of the entire team, not just one person." However, this hope seemed to have no effect.
In fact, it's not uncommon for actors to be involved in scandals that negatively impact their films. Previously, films like "Chốt đơn," "Chú ơi đừng lấy mẹ con," "Hạnh phúc của mẹ," "Vu quy đại náo," and "Đất rừng phương Nam" have all experienced similar situations, differing only in the degree of impact. Boycotting can be seen as a "right" of the audience, stemming from feelings of love or hate, although sometimes it's more subjective.
On the positive side, if handled respectfully, this can be a "self-purification" mechanism within the entertainment industry. However, when emotions are pushed too far, boycotting can easily become an act of revenge, undoing the hard work of an entire group due to the actions of one individual.
Legally, the amended Film Law does not prohibit a film from being released in theaters simply because an actor is involved in a personal scandal, as long as the content does not violate any prohibitions. The decision to cut or replace a role rests entirely with the producer, aiming to minimize damage to the film's image or revenue.
In a case like "Cải Mả," whether Thiên An's role is cut or kept, the loss is unavoidable. No one wants a film—the result of the hard work of hundreds of people—to be dismissed or boycotted simply because of one individual's private life.
This incident highlights a crucial lesson: producers need to be cautious in their casting choices, considering not only acting ability but also public image. For artists, maintaining their reputation is no longer a personal matter but a professional responsibility if they wish to continue in their artistic careers.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/can-trong-voi-quyen-tay-chay-post818074.html
