Le Mai - Kim Xuyen: The rare friendship of two former "screen beauties"

(Dan Tri) - Seven years apart in age, artists Le Mai and Kim Xuyen are still as close as real sisters. At the age of 79, Ms. Kim Xuyen still rides her motorbike to Le Mai's house to confide and share her joys and sorrows.

Meritorious Artist Kim Xuyen made an appointment to meet a group of Dan Tri reporters at a coffee shop on Hang Vai Street ( Hanoi ) when she had just returned from filming an advertisement for a brand. She told Dan Tri reporters that in recent years, she has been invited to do many advertisements. She also accepted offers from a number of brands in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The salary for advertisements is usually higher than for films, but she is selective and does not participate in every brand that invites her.

Le Mai (left) and Kim Xuyen when they were young (Photo: Character provided).

Artist Kim Xuyen admits that she is a funny person, likes to talk and joke around the film crew, so she is loved by young actors. She said that if she has to go to film, she still rides a motorbike to the filming location. In some films that are filmed far away, the director sends someone to pick her up by car. "Kim Xuyen's audience is middle-aged people, and even young people. When going out on the street, many people keep saying, when you act in a film, you are putting on your real self, right? I admit that because I am comfortable, acting without any pressure," Ms. Kim Xuyen confided. The female artist said that after retirement, her salary is 5 million VND/month, if there is a good film, she still goes to work to avoid missing her job. "I participate in films or skits not for money. The salary for a supporting role is often not enough for gas to travel, but I still like it," Ms. Tam, a pho seller in the film Canh Bac, shared. At the age of 79, artist Kim Xuyen has a peaceful life with her children and grandchildren. She lives with her son and his wife on Hang Vai Street. Her two daughters have settled in Germany. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, she visited her children once a year. For the past 4 years, she has felt weaker so she has stopped going and her children have come to visit her.

At the age of 79, artist Kim Xuyen still rides her motorbike to meet friends.

Sitting and chatting, Meritorious Artist Kim Xuyen just remembered that today she had an appointment with Meritorious Artist Le Mai so she would ride her motorbike to Phan Dinh Phung street to meet her friend. The meeting place of artists Le Mai - Kim Xuyen was... a tea shop at the beginning of the street. When Ms. Kim Xuyen arrived, she saw her senior and a friend named Hue sitting drinking tea and watching people passing by. Ms. Kim Xuyen said: "Almost every day, Ms. Le Mai and I talk. Before, Ms. Mai lived alone in Phan Dinh Phung, but recently, the family of Le Khanh - Le Mai's second daughter - moved to live with her mother. If there was anything at home, Le Khanh would call me and I would be there right away. Or if she saw that the two of them couldn't meet, Khanh would bring her mother to my house to play. We spent our youth at the Hanoi Drama Theater so we understood each other and talked more."

Knowing Kim Xuyen was coming to visit, Mrs. Le Mai came out to welcome her.

The female artist said that when working together at the theater, Ms. Le Mai always encouraged and helped her a lot so that she could go a long way in art. She found her senior to be easy-going, open-minded and never held grudges. "At that time, I didn't have a house, Ms. Le Mai said "just buy it, if you need it I'll lend you money". She lent me 100 million VND (equivalent to 20 taels of gold at that time). This amount of money was very large at that time. Ms. Mai and I went to find a house to buy, that is the house on Hang Vai where my family is living now", artist Kim Xuyen shared.

The two female artists are as close as sisters.

The 79-year-old female artist added that the Hanoi Drama Theater goes on many tours. The two women often take their children to work with them. She also looks after Le Khanh and Le Vi so that Le Mai can perform on stage. Meritorious Artist Kim Xuyen added: "When we were young, we often went on long trips together. Once, Ms. Mai came by on her motorbike and said: "Get on the bike, I'll take you here". So she took me all the way to Yen Vien (Gia Lam - Hanoi) or Ha Dong to play with her friends... During a performance in Thai Nguyen , Ms. Le Mai was hit in the head by a clothes pole and had to be hospitalized. I was very worried, but luckily she was only slightly stunned...". There was a time when artist Le Mai lived in Phu Thuong with her daughter Le Vi's family, and artist Kim Xuyen often came to visit. Even Le Vi's son opened the door and said "Kim Xuyen again". Hearing this, the two old artists burst into laughter because of the children's cuteness and adorability. [caption id="attachment_1126841" align="aligncenter" width="1258"] [/caption] Sharing with Dan Tri reporter, Meritorious Artist Le Mai said that she lived alone for many years on Phan Dinh Phung street (Hanoi). For more than 3 years now, Le Khanh's family has moved closer, so she is happier.

Meritorious Artist Le Mai goes to Phan Dinh Phung Street (Hanoi) every day to chat with friends.

According to Le Mai, her pension is 3 million VND/month but she does not feel deprived because her 3 daughters: Le Van, Le Khanh, Le Vi also take care of her very well. When Le Khanh is on a business trip, Le Van will come to visit her, and Le Vi is in France, often calling her mother. "The audience often mentions my 3 daughters and says they are symbols of Hanoi girls, I am very happy. Luckily, my children are artists so many people know them. This year I am happier because I have the title of Meritorious Artist, so the whole family has been awarded a noble title by the State so we have to maintain our image", artist Le Mai said. At the age of U90, Ms. Le Mai said she still likes to act in movies but her health does not allow it so she has to give up. "When I was filming Grandma Doesn't Eat Pizza , I still rode my motorbike to the set. Now I can't because I have shingles and can't blink. Lately, I've been having joint and leg pain, and it's been difficult for me to walk, so I have to stay home for a while. Every day, I go to tea shops to chat with people," said Ms. Le Mai.

At the age of the other side of life, having someone to accompany and understand is a rare happiness for the two women.

The 86-year-old artist said that her schedule is to wake up at 5am, go out for a walk, then go home for breakfast. At 9am, she goes to a coffee shop and sits until noon. At 3pm, after her afternoon nap, she goes back to the coffee shop to talk to people. "Coming here is also fun, the audience recognizes Le Mai and asks to take a lot of photos. Le Khanh hires a maid to help with housework and remind me to take my medicine, so I'm more relaxed...", Meritorious Artist Le Mai confided. Talking about her friendship with artist Kim Xuyen, Meritorious Artist Le Mai said that because Ms. Xuyen is younger, she always considers Kim Xuyen as a younger sister. She often gives in and never argues with her junior. "When she was young, Kim Xuyen was gentle and spoke very little. I joked that I had two younger sisters who died early, so they must have "possessed" Kim Xuyen, so we became close friends and got along like real sisters. I like Xuyen because she is always cheerful, sociable and... talkative when she gets old," Ms. Le Mai humorously revealed. People's Artist Le Khanh's mother said that she and Kim Xuyen have never been angry with each other. Because she is very easy-going and youthful, everyone around her loves her.

Meritorious Artist Le Mai always gives in and considers Kim Xuyen as her own sister.

For her, the time working with her colleagues at the Hanoi Drama Theater were memorable days of youth. However, the veteran artist also regrets the years that followed, because of poor health, she could not continue to stand on stage. "My life is very fulfilling now. I am loved by the audience, have 3 talented daughters and have a peaceful old age...", artist Le Mai confided.

Artist Le Mai was born in 1938, in a family where both her father and mother worked in the field of performing arts. Her father was the poet - playwright Le Dai Thanh. He worked in the Central Drama Team at the same time as The Lu and Song Kim. She was once married to People's Artist Tran Tien. However, due to cracks in their family relationship, the two later divorced. Her three daughters with People's Artist Tran Tien, Meritorious Artist Le Van, People's Artist Le Khanh and Meritorious Artist Le Vi, all became famous artists and made their mark in many Vietnamese films. Artist Kim Xuyen was born in 1945 in Hanoi, and began her artistic activities at the Hanoi Drama Theater in 1962. Possessing a kind face, she made her mark with many roles on stage and television. The female artist mainly played villainous and humorous roles, leaving a deep impression on the audience. The plays she participated in include: Hanoi in winter 1946, Flowers and wild grass, Harvest painting, The frontline calls, Memories of cruel days ... In addition, the TV series with the participation of artist Kim Xuyen include: Dong - Ky goes to the street, The remaining half moon, I will be the owner, Five days to be the lord, Canh bac...

Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/le-mai-kim-xuyen-tinh-ban-hiem-co-cua-hai-my-nhan-man-anh-mot-thoi-20241024232504912.htm