Actress Hong Dao: At this age, still acting in movies is happiness

This August, there are 2 movies with Hong Dao's participation released in theaters.

The Vietnamese-Korean co-production Mang Me Di Bo , directed by Mo Hong-jin and starring Hong Dao and Tuan Tran, had early screenings (July 30 and 31) before its official release on August 1, earning more than VND22 billion. As of the afternoon of August 2, the film held the number 1 position at the Vietnamese box office with more than VND50 billion.

Next, the film Chot Don directed by the duo Bao Nhan - Nam Cito, starring Hong Dao, Quyen Linh, People's Artist Hong Van... was announced by the producer to be released on August 8.

Between flights from Vietnam to the US, Hong Dao had a chat with Thanh Nien reporter about life and career.

In the past, audiences knew Hong Dao through drama. Do you remember the first play you acted in on television more than 40 years ago?

That was the play Nightingale Nightingale that I acted in 1982 with Thanh Loc. Until now, I still keep the black and white photo taken with him. At that time, I was a first year student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema. Later, I also acted in the play Doll House with Thanh Loc. The play I'm Waiting for the Director (1985) by Le Hoang, I became well known to the audience.

At the 5B Drama Stage (HCMC) in the past, you were famous for many plays: I'm waiting for the director , The house without men , Golden chicken dream , Thunderstorm ... Did you regret leaving the stage to live abroad in 1994?

When I moved abroad with my parents, everything was unfamiliar to me. Luckily, as soon as I arrived in America, I received an invitation to perform from Van Son. At that time, I really missed the stage of my hometown, my friends, my colleagues, and even the dinners and wandering around with everyone after the show. It took me more than 6 months to integrate into life here, to better understand the thoughts and activities of overseas Vietnamese; from there I was able to adapt and create plays that were more authentic to life there. Luckily, I had a background as a domestic drama actor, so when I came to America, I continued to perform continuously without stopping.

When did you act in the most movies? Is there any role in a movie that audiences still remember?

In the 1990s, I participated in more plays than films, and was still very close to the 5B Drama Theater. Occasionally, I also participated in films with Viet Trinh, Diem Huong, Y Phung... but most of them were films produced by Uncle Ly Huynh's family and directed by Ly Son. I still remember the role of Ly Hung's lover in the film Tears of a Student. Until now people still mention - the role of secretly loving Ly Hung and taking a bullet for his lover.

How did your success abroad help you when you returned to Vietnam to work in the arts?

I am lucky to still be active in performing arts centers overseas. Even now, audiences still say: "The roles you play are my childhood", which makes me very happy. It is very gratifying to receive such words in my profession. Domestic audiences still follow me through plays on foreign stages.

In the early stages of returning to Vietnam to participate in the arts, I also faced changes in life just like when I first came to America. I did not know how different society and psychology were from the past, so it took time to approach and integrate. Now I have performed roles that are close to the psychology of domestic audiences.

What was the first Vietnamese film you acted in after living and working abroad?

At that time, my child was still young, so I had to fly back and forth. In 2001, I returned to my hometown to play the role of Lan in the movie "The Changes" directed by Charlie Nguyen. Next was the role of Mrs. Trang in "Let me be closer to you ", directed by Van Cong Vien, released in 2016, with the participation of Dinh Hieu, Jun Vu, Chi Tai, Meritorious Artist Le Thien, Kieu Minh Tuan.... I played the role of Rin's mother (Jun Vu).

Then came Dear Mom, I'm Going (2019) directed by Trinh Dinh Le Minh. I played the role of a widow, Van's mother (played by Lanh Thanh), which caught the audience's attention and left many memories with my colleagues.

You have appeared in the Netflix film Beef . The film attracted a large audience, was nominated and won many film awards in the US. What do you think is the difference between acting in a foreign-produced film and a Vietnamese film?

Hollywood has a long history of film production, so it is natural that they spend a lot of time, effort, and money on projects because they cannot do it carelessly. Now I see a lot of young people both at home and abroad participating in filmmaking. They are passionate and dedicated to the profession.

In Hollywood, the production team, actors, and directors work very punctually, meticulously, and professionally, and so does Vietnam. I think the passion of youth is the same everywhere, and professionalism in filmmaking is now also present in Vietnam.

Hong Dao and Tuan Tran in the Vietnamese-Korean co-production "Bringing Mom Away"

You had great success when playing the role of Mrs. Dao in the movie Mai . How did you feel when playing this role?

Mrs. Dao's role is similar to that of most Asian women: loving and protecting her children in her own way, thinking she is always right with them and forcing them to listen. But I suddenly realized that there are always different thoughts and concepts between the two generations. I have two daughters, so I understand the psychology of young people and mothers today.

What do you think about director Tran Thanh and the cast Phuong Anh Dao, Tuan Tran, Uyen An... in the movie Mai ?

Tran Thanh is talented, intelligent and a good listener, so his success is obvious. When meeting Phuong Anh Dao and Tuan Tran, I realized that both of them were born to be actors because they both have very beautiful and cinematic appearances. They themselves have inner sensitivity and a hard-working style, are extremely disciplined, always want to learn, and want to portray their roles well and fully.

As for Uyen An, when we first worked together in the movie Mai , I realized that she was full of cinematic emotions, very fresh and one of the future talented actors for Vietnamese cinema.

Filming in the movie Sister-in-law directed by Khuong Ngoc, do you see any difference compared to other movies?

I was lucky to be able to participate in the movie Sister-in-law . I will always remember the behind-the-scenes story when filming this movie, it was extremely fun and close to talented actors like Viet Huong, Le Khanh, Dinh Y Nhung, Ngoc Trinh. The sisters considered each other as family, so when they played their roles, it was very "sweet". Filming this movie was like going to a show, every day was filled with laughter. A month of participating in the movie not only brought back beautiful memories but also a bond of affection with colleagues.

Hong Dao in the movie "Sister-in-law"

When a series of recent films you acted in such as Mai , Linh Luc: Quy Nhap Trang , Chi Dau ... were highly appreciated for their acting and most recently Mang Me Di Bo , do you think you are successful in your career?

Lately, when I have participated in many Vietnamese films, I have realized that the audience not only likes to see beautiful couples playing the main roles, but also requires good acting from the supporting cast. Therefore, I have more opportunities, especially roles that require deep acting. At this age, I am lucky and happy to receive a role.

Abandoned Mother , directed by Mo Hong-jin (Korea), is your latest project in which you play a mother with Alzheimer's disease. How did you portray the difficult role of someone with this disease?

I had to work hard to learn and research the character by asking people around me who have relatives with Alzheimer's disease and medical specialists. Each stage of the patient will show a different symptom. Hong Dao cannot act 100% like the dementia patient in each person's house. But I will try to portray the image of a mother with Alzheimer's disease as closely as possible to what I learned through medicine and patients. The disease is mentioned in the film just so that viewers can see the mother-child relationship, the filial piety of a child towards his sick mother.

What do you think when there are comments that most of the movies Hong Dao participates in have a budget of over 100 billion VND, such as Mai (551 billion VND), Chi Dau (113 billion VND)?

I think good movies with high revenue do not come from one side. It is the resonance of many people. There must be a good script, a good director, good actors and a professional production and promotion team. When I accept a role, I always try my best to contribute a small part to the overall success, because one person cannot make a big deal out of it.

You once said you were the "poorest person in showbiz". To you, are money and happiness related?

In interviews, many people often ask about my salary and private life, so I often joke that I am the poorest person in showbiz. I always teach my children that when they grow up, they need to study to have a stable job, be financially independent, and not rely on anyone.

Money is not the most important thing to pursue happiness, just enough to support yourself is enough, save a little more to do whatever you want, travel or buy whatever you like in moderation. At this age, I suddenly realized that money cannot buy happiness.

- Ảnh 11. — Hong Dao is still young even at the age of 63.

How is your life in America? Your two daughters have graduated from college, do you want them to pursue an artistic career?

My life is very peaceful. After finishing a film project with colleagues and friends, I returned to the US. My two children have gone to work after finishing school and really enjoy watching the movies I act in or foreign works. Whether they will pursue art in the future depends on fate and whether their passion is strong enough.

What is your biggest wish right now? Do you have plans to return to Vietnam to continue your acting career?

People at Hong Dao's age probably wish the most for good health, then peace for their family, parents and children, and a job they love. Right now, my parents and 2 children are still in the US, so I will still go back and forth, but I have no intention of living in Vietnam.

Thank you for this conversation.