Cong Ly's daughter makes a film about her father

Image of Cong Ly in the movie of his daughter. Photo: Character provided — Image of Justice in daughter's movie

The short film "There is a constellation" was screened in the S-Express Vietnam program in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of May 9. The work is about 17 minutes long, in a narrative style, simulating and depicting Cong Ly's life through Thuc Anh's perspective from childhood to adulthood.

When Thuc Anh was one year old, her parents separated. She lived with her mother and only saw her father on TV. When she was little, she thought Cong Ly was in jail because she saw him wearing a prisoner's uniform in movies several times. Every time she saw that scene, Thuc Anh burst into tears because she thought her father had been arrested.

Thuc Anh's childhood was associated with drinking places, gatherings of her father and friends and colleagues. Sometimes, she followed the artist to practice at the Hanoi Drama Theater or film TV series. Later, when she saw Cong Ly's new happiness or the times when her father didn't pick her up after school because he was busy, she thought she was forgotten. The director used to hate her father because he thought the artist had abandoned her and her mother.

As she grew older, Thuc Anh understood that her father was strict and reserved, but he always loved his family and children. According to Thuc Anh, Cong Ly did not interfere with her studies because he wanted his daughter to be proactive and creative. Knowing that his daughter was pursuing a career as a director, he supported her but still warned her that it would be hard. When Thuc Anh gave him a hat or a sweater, the artist did not show his emotions but always cherished it and used it often.

In the film, the director ponders about the most unfortunate period for himself and his family when Cong Ly had a stroke. The artist was hospitalized during Covid-19, and his family could not visit him for a long time. The incident made Thuc Anh realize how much she loved her father. She said: "I realized how much I loved my father more than I thought and how afraid I was of losing him. I longed to hear my father's voice on stage, to hear him scold me, to see him on TV, to sit with him in a drinking place like when I was a kid."

The first day she met her father after a serious illness, Thuc Anh realized that for a long time, artists had always struggled to show themselves as pillars. Although Cong Ly did not say it, the director felt his father's fear of being forgotten by everyone. Thuc Anh wrote a letter to her father, in which she said: "The audience misses you very much and you are such a good artist, please don't give up everything because of this incident. The audience needs you and we need you too." The letter made Cong Ly agree to return to the screen after a year of sick leave.

Thuc Anh had the idea of making a film about her father when she was 18, and could only start in her final year of university. She worked on it for four months, including coming up with the script and post-production. When it was finished, Thuc Anh showed it to her father and Tit - the son of Cong Ly and MC Thao Van. The director said that after watching it, her father just smiled, but Tit was clearly moved.

Thuc Anh (middle) and artist Cong Ly backstage. Photo: Character provided — Thuc Anh (middle) and artist Cong Ly backstage

Nguyen Cong Thuc Anh, 23 years old, graduated from Hanoi University of Theatre and Cinema, majoring in Film Directing. There is a constellation is her graduation film, which participated in the 2023 Golden Kite Award. Currently, Thuc Anh works as a production assistant and film crew secretary for VFC.

Cong Ly, 51 years old, born in Hanoi, is the deputy director of the Hanoi Drama Theater. In addition to his stage activities, he has participated in many TV series such as Gio Lang Kinh, Bao Qua Lang, Chuyen Ngang Qua Pho Cu, Nhung Co Gai Trong Thanh Pho, Huong Duong Nguoc Nang. In 2019, he was awarded the title of People's Artist.

In July 2021, the actor fell at home and had to be treated for a long time at the 108 Central Military Hospital. Since then, he has performed and filmed less, focusing on treatment. When he gradually recovered, the artist returned with some notable small roles in the films Ex-husband, Ex-wife, Ex-lover; My family is suddenly happy .

University (according to VnExpress)

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