People's Artist Tra Giang
People's Artist Tra Giang is famous for many revolutionary films, including the feature film "The 17th Parallel, Day and Night".
In the film, she plays Dịu, a woman whose only "weapon" is her love for her homeland, and who passionately fights for her people. Dịu's unwavering determination and courage strike fear into the hearts of her enemies.
The character Dịu in "The 17th Parallel, Day and Night," portrayed by People's Artist Trà Giang, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of many generations of viewers (Photo: Screenshot).
People's Artist Tra Giang said that, despite having acted in several films before, she still felt like a fresh graduate. Witnessing the stories at the 17th parallel, she felt a great surge of love for her country.
In the artist's memory, the filmmaking process was extremely harsh. "We were filming while living like soldiers on the battlefield, often spending more time in bunkers than above ground," she recounted.
Even after filming some scenes at the 17th parallel, due to the intense fighting, People's Artist Tra Giang and the film crew were forced to go to Hanoi to shoot the remaining scenes.
The film, which realistically portrays the fighting on the 17th Parallel, day and night, was highly praised by experts. In 1973, at the Moscow International Film Festival, the film won the World Peace Council award, and People's Artist Tra Giang won the Best Actress award.
Known as a prominent figure in Vietnam's revolutionary cinema, Tra Giang prematurely left the arts after participating in only 17 films. This left many fans who admired her with a sense of regret.
After retiring from acting, People's Artist Tra Giang returned to the Film School to teach acting. Since retiring in 1998, the artist has also developed a passion for painting.
For many years, "Sister Dịu" Trà Giang has lived alone in an apartment on Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City). The apartment isn't very big, but it has enough space for her to live and paint.
"For me, painting is also a form of meditation. And I see life like a child seeing it for the first time; painting has a primal instinct, like a child's play with colors..."
"I paint like breathing, like a ceaseless movement to explore the nature of consciousness, eliminating all lingering impurities. And that's also a method of spiritual practice," People's Artist Tra Giang shared with a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper.
Despite her advanced age, the beauty of Dịu from her younger days is still evident in the face and demeanor of this former star of Vietnamese revolutionary films.
The actress confided that although she gave her all to her roles in her youth, she has always missed acting over the years. Many times, Tra Giang wanted to accept a role in a film, but due to her age, she had to put it off.
People's Artist Nhu Quynh
Nhu Quynh was born into an artistic family; her parents were the famous leading actors and actresses of Vietnamese Cai Luong (traditional opera), Tieu Lang and Kim Xuan. She graduated from the acting training program of the Vietnam National Theatre School (now the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film) in 1971.
Two years later, Nhu Quynh quickly made her mark with the role of nurse Mai in the revolutionary film "The Song of the Battlefield" . But it was with the role of Net in "Until We Meet Again " that the artist truly shone.
The image of Cô Nết – a beautiful woman with a traditional headscarf and a charming four-panel dress – has become legendary in the hearts of audiences, closely associated with Như Quỳnh's acting career. This role earned her the Best Actress award at the 3rd Vietnam Film Festival.
The youthful and beautiful appearance of People's Artist Nhu Quynh in the role of Net in "Until We Meet Again" (Photo: Screenshot).
Few people know that when director Tran Vu invited Nhu Quynh to star in "Until We Meet Again ," her parents were very worried because she was from Hanoi but had to play the role of a country girl in the 1940s.
Although Nhu Quynh already had some knowledge about the lives of women in the past, her parents still decided to take her to Professor Hoang Nhu Mai's house so that she could hear about the women of Kinh Bac in the old days, and thus have a clearer picture of the character.
During the filming of "Until We Meet Again ," Nhu Quynh vividly remembers the scene where Net reunites with her lover after many years of separation. She said: "I had to cry, but it was crying with a happy smile. This was a very difficult scene because at that time, I was only 18 or 20 years old and lacked experience; I had to act it out countless times."
Afterward, director Tran Vu had to explain and guide Nhu Quynh to help her portray what it means for tears to stream down the face of a happy person.
Following the success of " Until We Meet Again," People's Artist Nhu Quynh continues to act tirelessly. She has appeared in numerous television series such as "Don't Make Me Forget," " The Taste of Family Love," "Journey to Justice," and her latest project is the film "Touching Happiness."
Speaking to a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper , People's Artist Nhu Quynh said she feels fortunate to still be invited to act in films at the age of nearly 70.
In her daily life, when she's not working on films, she wakes up early to go to the market and cook for her family. Currently, artist Nhu Quynh's family lives on Hang Dao Street - an old neighborhood in Hanoi that is always bustling and noisy. However, she limits going out because she prefers peace and quiet.
"I prefer staying home to cook, read scripts, and avoid going out, probably because I'm getting old and don't like the hustle and bustle anymore. Even though we have a housekeeper, I still want to cook for my husband and children. In the afternoons, my husband and I go for a workout together. At 69, I only have joint pain, and being able to move around quickly is already great," she said.
Meritorious Artist Thanh Loan
In 1986, director Long Vân's film "Saigon Commando" was released, creating a nationwide sensation and becoming one of the classic works of Vietnamese revolutionary cinema. This project also brought the names of many actors closer to the public, including Meritorious Artist Thanh Loan, who played the role of nun Huyền Trang.
The image of the female commando soldier in a nun's habit, with her deep, captivating eyes and strong, courageous personality, has left a lasting impression on many generations of viewers.
Before gaining fame with "Saigon Commando ," Meritorious Artist Thanh Loan had appeared in many films such as "The Battle Song," "Childhood," "The Forgotten Project," "The Three Roses Plan ," etc.
She was often cast in gentle, mild-mannered roles such as teachers, messengers, and engineers. Therefore, the role of nun Huyền Trang marked a major turning point in the actress's career.
At that time, she was married and working as a director for the Security Television channel. During a business trip to Ho Chi Minh City in 1984, Thanh Loan coincidentally met artist Trinh Thai, the main art designer for the film.
Hearing the artist say they still hadn't found an actress to play the nun Huyền Trang, even though filming had been underway for a year, she suggested she read the script. Recognizing the character's striking personality, Thanh Loan decided to ask her agency for permission to work on the film, unaware that filming would last for four years.
In a conversation with a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper , Thanh Loan said that the role of female commando soldier Huyen Trang came to her like destiny.
"I consider it the most beautiful high point in my artistic career. Every time I think about it, I feel proud to have had a role that will live on forever," she said.
To complete the role, Thanh Loan had to cut off her long hair because in those days there were no rubber head coverings. Next, the artist stayed at the Dược Sư temple for a week, eating vegetarian food and practicing chanting, striking the wooden gong, ringing the bell, and begging for alms to resemble a Buddhist nun. Furthermore, she practiced rowing a boat and immersed herself in the waterways of Southern Vietnam…
Despite cutting her hair short, Thanh Loan was fortunate to receive support from her family. Her husband, a professor and doctor of mathematics who lived abroad for many years, respected and understood his wife's profession.
At that time, because the filming time was so long, she even brought her father, mother-in-law, and children to the film set. The artist said that her mother-in-law also played a minor role in Saigon Commando.
Nun Huyền Trang was captured and interrogated by the enemy during the "Saigon Commando" operation (Video: Archival material).
After 37 years, many viewers still call Thanh Loan by the name of nun Huyen Trang. She shared with a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper : "I feel very lucky to have had a role that defined my life, a role that has become a part of real life. Many viewers even name their children Huyen Trang, even though my character suffered greatly, endured much hardship, and faced many disadvantages."
The role of Nun Huyền Trang was also the last role in the artistic career of Meritorious Artist Thanh Loan. After the success of the film, she switched to directing documentary films and held the position of Deputy Director of the Police Film Studio.
Therefore, she no longer had time to appear on screen, partly because she couldn't find a script good enough and a character that would help her overcome the shadow of the nun Huyền Trang.
People often say "beautiful women have unfortunate fates," but that wasn't true for the former film beauty, Thanh Loan.
At seventy years old, despite her hair turning gray, Meritorious Artist Thanh Loan still possesses a gentle and elegant beauty. The former screen beauty with her deep, melancholic eyes, who once captivated countless men, now enjoys a peaceful and simple family life with her husband.
She said that perhaps it's because she's used to eating according to the "bell," sleeping on schedule, and living a disciplined life that she's always content with what she has...
And perhaps because of the long period of peace and absence, Thanh Loan was at one point involved in malicious rumors such as being the victim of a love triangle, having acid thrown at her, or becoming a nun…
Sharing her thoughts on this, "nun Huyen Trang" confided: "I think that as an artist and a public figure, it's difficult to avoid malicious rumors and gossip. There will be many people who love me, but there will also be those who hate, envy, and fabricate stories. That's just how life is. I consider it normal and don't pay attention to it."
When asked, "At this age, what do you fear most?", Thanh Loan replied, "I only fear my health deteriorating. I enjoy traveling and going out, so I created the 'Hoa Chan' group so that friends and fellow artists can occasionally meet and socialize."
Meritorious Artist Thanh Tú
During the period 1960-1964, Meritorious Artist Thanh Tú spent time studying at the Hanoi Theatre School (now the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film).
After graduating, Thanh Tú acted in many films such as "Sea of Fire" and "The Front Line Calls ," but it wasn't until 1975 that her name shot to fame with the role of Nhu, a female revolutionary cadre, in the film "August Star."
The role earned the actress the Best Actress award at the 4th Vietnam Film Festival in 1977.
Nhu is a character with many twists and turns, requiring the actress to constantly hone her skills. Thanh Tú said: "I had to try hard to portray Nhu because at that time, I was young, new to the profession, and lacked experience. But I just played the role authentically, without much technique."
For Thanh Tú, "August Star" is a beautiful memory in the life of the female artist. Time may change things, but the imprint and historical witness are still remembered in the work.
After the film, Thanh Tú did not act much. Speaking about her absence, Thanh Tú said that besides acting, she also worked as a director. Later, her main work was training younger generations of actors, so she stopped acting in plays.
Regarding television dramas, the artist said she had taken on several roles but always felt she couldn't quite reach the level she wanted. She affirmed, "I think once I stop working in this profession, it will be difficult for me to improve further, so I want to stop."
In November 2022, after many years away from the stage, Meritorious Artist Thanh Tú returned with the play "Giác," simultaneously playing four roles. The work competed in the 5th Hanoi International Experimental Theatre Festival and won a gold medal.
For Thanh Tú, the stage came to her as if by destiny. Her love for theater has become deeply ingrained in her blood, breath, and even the rhythm of her daily life; it's a deeply meaningful and profound "love affair."
Currently, Meritorious Artist Thanh Tú lives in her own house in a small alley near West Lake. The small, charming house is filled with greenery, simple and peaceful. For the past three years, she has lived here with her daughter. The artist jokingly says, "I've lost my freedom because of my children and grandchildren."
To this day, she remains proud of the life she has achieved through her own efforts. Despite the ups and downs of her marriage, Thanh Tú still feels peaceful and relieved because she has realized the right life philosophies.
Thanh Tú as she is now (Photo: Toàn Vũ).
She turned to Buddhism to be herself and live peacefully. Thanh Tú said: "Buddhism helped me realize many truths after a series of turbulent days in my life. I repented for myself when I followed Buddhism: Naturally waiting for what comes. Peacefully letting go of what goes. Loving what I don't want. My mind is as tranquil as a drifting cloud."
Yet, deep down in her heart, the woman still yearned for and waited for love. "I've been waiting for a 'knight' in my heart for so many years. I'm still waiting for something that will never come. But if I don't wait, I have no reason to live anymore," she confided.
Source link
![[Photo] Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds a phone call with the CEO of Russia's Rosatom Corporation.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvphoto.vietnam.vn%2Fthumb%2F1200x675%2Fvietnam%2Fresource%2FIMAGE%2F2025%2F12%2F11%2F1765464552365_dsc-5295-jpg.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Comment (0)