Artist Hong Dao: When I was sick, I suddenly thought 'it turns out I'm also torturing my child'

Having suffered from a serious illness, artist Hong Dao planned to enter a nursing home in her old age to ease the burden of raising her children. Currently, she enjoys life, comfortably works at her job, and doesn't think much about love.

"If only my two daughters had a different mother, how nice that would be!"

Artist Hong Dao impressed with the role of a mother with Alzheimer's.

- The character of Mrs. Hanh in "Mang me di bo" is always exhausted, exhausted, walking barefoot and running in the rain, struggling with illness every day. Does this seem to be the hardest role in your career?

In terms of physical appearance, the screaming and running scenes are tough, but I am not as tired as the psychological scenes. Sometimes some scenes that seem simple are actually very heavy. When I let go, I am almost exhausted.

For example, the scene where Mrs. Hanh returns to Korea, returns to the old house to find her son. In this part, the director asked me not to say a word, focusing entirely on her eyes with many emotions: from happiness, regret, torment to remorse, torn between thinking whether to see her son or not...

Mrs. Hanh is a woman with Alzheimer's disease, facing many sorrows in life. From the moment I received the script, I thoroughly researched the character's personality, her illness, observed the reality of the patient and the opinions of people around, to try to immerse myself in the role.

- Hong Dao is considered a "late bloomer", over 60 years old but suddenly shines and is warmly welcomed. Some people are surprised because Vietnamese cinema seems to have no artist like her...

Every time I launch a project, people ask me if I feel pressured. Honestly, I feel comfortable and enjoy my work every day.

My life for the past few years has revolved around hours of makeup, reading scripts, going to the set… ending a tiring but happy day.

I get compliments, sometimes criticism from directors and audiences. That's okay! All opinions are needed to improve.

I believe that being busy at work is a form of healing. There are some things in life that cannot be resolved, just immerse yourself in your role and you will naturally feel lighter and more mentally relaxed.

I am 63 years old this year, and I can still act in movies, work with many young people, wear beautiful clothes to premieres… it’s so wonderful. I don’t dare to dream or set high goals, I just accept what comes.

Artist Hong Dao said when she was seriously ill, she thought if only her two daughters had another mother.

- The character Mrs. Hanh is half-awake and half-asleep but still loves her child, especially when she is awake. When filming those scenes, you must have related to yourself?

A mother never wants to be a burden to her children. Mrs. Hanh's sadness is that she is completely unaware of that.

In the brief moment of clarity, she realized clearly, but the pain also multiplied. Many times she wanted to let go to give her son a new life.

In real life, I have 2 daughters, mother and daughter are very happy. I used to think, in old age, I would have 2 children to protect me, especially one who has health problems like me. But in reality, everything is different from what I thought.

While I was in the hospital, my two children had to take time off work and school. They came to the hospital every day and lay at my feet to be taken care of.

When we are sick, we only care about ourselves, but when we wake up, we suddenly feel heartbroken. I suddenly thought: “Oh, so I am also torturing my child.”

Sometimes, I think how nice it would be if my two children had another mother. This is very true to Mrs. Hanh’s mentality in the movie and is suitable for many other mothers in the same situation as me.

When old, move into a nursing home and no longer think about a spouse.

- You said you have many worries, wondering if you will be in the same situation as Mrs. Hanh when you get old. Where does that fear come from?

Everyone my age has the same worry, that when they get old, they will be a burden to their children or not.

Asian traditions, especially Vietnamese, always emphasize family affection. Even though parents are old and sick, children still do not want to let go.

They want to protect and care for their parents, willing to take on the hardships and burdens, even when they are poor.

As a mother, I don't want that to happen to myself and my children.

I told my two children that if I ever became unable to take care of myself, they would move to a nursing home. It was a suitable environment because there were caregivers and many elderly people.

The elderly living in the hospital can go shopping, sing, beautify themselves and live their old age very leisurely and gently.

I know a 95 year old lady in a nursing home who goes to the beauty salon every week, and there is an old man who follows her around and keeps calling her “Honey!” . They used to be lonely, lived in a nursing home, met, fell in love, it was a very cute picture.

- How do you arrange to make the rest of your life more comfortable and relaxed?

I have always lived moderately, not the type of person who spends too much. I have never regretted investing in my children's education, and I myself live frugally. Thanks to that, financial matters are not a concern.

Since childhood, I have always been content with everything I have, so I can adapt easily.

Moreover, in foreign countries, when you reach retirement age, you will receive a pension. The elderly live a frugal life, with three meals a day being enough. In there, even if you wear branded shoes, no one will care.

I think, in old age, one should be optimistic and think positively to have a happy spirit. It is better than being gloomy, worrying about illness, being sad like this and that, bringing negativity to children and grandchildren, which is not good.

- How do you enjoy life at this age?

I am the type of person who is enthusiastic and passionate at work, but when I am alone I prefer quiet. When I get home, I put down my phone to be true to myself. I am so quiet that my assistant complains that it is difficult to contact me when there is a problem.

My personal life is quite boring and uninteresting. In the morning, I spend time exercising and meeting friends for coffee. At lunch, I go out to the garden to tend plants, cook in the kitchen, and when I feel like it, I pick up the camera to film as a souvenir...

Afternoon is the time I spend with my family. I love movies so I always look for good movies to enjoy every night.

Artists often stay up very late and have irregular schedules. As for me, I go to bed at 8:30 pm and wake up early to start a new day.

Hong Dao finds happiness with her family including her parents and two daughters.

- Have you ever thought about your current relationship?

Many people question finding a partner after a breakup, but I don't think about this.

For me now, the most important things are work, family, children, parents and spending time enjoying life.

I have a group of close friends. We often go out, eat and exercise. For me, that is happiness at the moment.

My children will be happy to see me happy and optimistic. They still want their mother to have a companion and friend.

- How do you take care of your health and spirit after the serious illness?

I am still sitting here, which means my health is fine. For many years, I have been very strict in exercising and taking care of myself. I maintain the habit of jogging 6-7km in the morning, doing gym, yoga, kickboxing... alternating between the activities every day. In terms of diet, I avoid starch and sugar as much as possible, and eat a lot of vegetables.

I still work regularly, just finished a new movie. I have recently turned down a few scripts because I was afraid of repeating myself. The joy of acting helps me forget my illness and the hardships of life.

Hong Dao in the movie "Take mother away"

Photos, clips: NVCC

The movie "Mang me di bo" with touching performances by Tuan Tran and Hong Dao, which was released on August 1st, earned 41.5 billion after attracting half a million viewers to the theater.

Hong Dao is willing to sell her house to buy a role, at 63 she is not pressured by fame. Actress Hong Dao jokingly said she is willing to sell her house to buy her favorite role in the movie "Bringing Mom Away". At 63, the famous actress is in high demand for movies but is not pressured by fame.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nghe-si-hong-dao-tuoi-63-se-vao-vien-duong-lao-song-khong-suy-nghi-tim-ban-doi-2428448.html