Artist Thanh Hien: 'I have been snubbed by many film crews'

The artist plays Mrs. Hai, a mother who is pushed around by her children to take care of her, in the work released in theaters on April 26. She talked about her first leading role on the big screen and her love of acting in her twilight years.

– What are your feelings when you have your first leading movie role at the age of 70?

– I'm happy but also pressured because I've never cooperated with Ly Hai before. When invited to audition for a role in Flip face 7, I was about to refuse, thinking to myself that I'm already old, whoever gives me the role should play it instead of auditioning, if I fail, I'll have to pay for transportation (laughs). The director of the new film crew told me to just call a taxi to audition, Ly Hai would take care of everything.

I tried to play the part of a mother who has cancer but hides her illness from her children. The child found out, burst into tears and was gently comforted by his mother. At that time, I just acted according to my mother's instincts. After three minutes, Ly Hai told me to stop, clapped my hands and accepted me as Mrs. Hai. At that time, I realized how important the audition stage is, from then on the director observed and "measured each person", giving suggestions to each person.

– How did the filming experience give you?

– Shooting a normal movie is already difficult, but this movie was even more difficult because for more than a month I had to stay in Lac Duong district, Lam Dong. The weather sometimes dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, my lungs were weak and I coughed a lot, so filming many times was difficult. However, working with a professional team, I am well taken care of.

Producer Minh Ha - Ly Hai's wife - prepared dozens of large, thick cotton shirts for me. There was a scene where I fell into a stream and had to soak in cold water. As soon as I stepped ashore, Minh Ha gave me a silver blanket to keep me warm. In the scenes where a character falls out of a wheelchair or gets hit by a motorbike, I was thoroughly protected even though there was a stuntman.

Trailer 'Face 7' by Ly Hai

– What motivates you to keep loving your profession after hundreds of roles?

– It is the audience's emotions. Many times, I took a motorbike taxi to the film set, where the driver asked: "Grandma, please give me a souvenir photo together." When I went to the hospital, many people favored me and allowed me to be examined first. Entering the temple, I was surrounded by spectators. One time I had to apologize for not being able to stay long, feeling extremely guilty.

This profession has a lot of joy but also a lot of sadness. It's not uncommon for me to get paid by film crews. A few years ago, a television crew refused to pay me 20 million VND even though I had finished my role. Texting and asking a few times, they just remained silent. I told myself to just consider it a misfortune in life. But there were also many loving units. I acted in three short scenes and was paid 3 million VND.

Artist Thanh Hien plays "The smell of coriander"

– What fate brought you to acting even though you were a beginner?

– I got married when I was in my twenties. I used to plow fields and grow rice in Ben Tre. At that time, I struggled to do manual labor to raise my children. Everyone hired me to do whatever I wanted. My first child had to quit school and go to work early so he could fully study. Seeing that my family's life was so miserable, a sister-in-law advised me to move to Saigon and build a small house to stabilize my children.

In the 1990s, I joined the executive board of the residential group in the information and propaganda department. I was in charge of writing scripts, staging skits, and had the opportunity to study with many artists from the School of Theater and Cinema who came to the ward to teach, such as directors Tran Minh Ngoc and Le Van Tinh. Since 2005, I have encountered acting with television series The smell of coriander, the role of a friend of Ms. Thanh (artist Kim Xuan). I played 5 segments and was paid 1 million 750 thousand VND. Holding my first salary, I cried with joy, it was too much.

The first days on set, it was very strange for me to see everyone following suit, from veteran actors to the masses. From then on, I loved movies and was determined to pursue this profession. One time, when I saw artist Phi Dieu being offered the role of a maid, I wanted it so much, I told myself I wished I could play like that. I have never been picky even though I only play supporting roles, like grandmother Ngan (Blue eyes), the gangster's mother (Hai Phuong). I was invited by many producers, like Ngo Thanh Van, to my house, even though my role only had a few fleeting scenes.

– What does your family say when they see you often away from home filming movies?

– My two children are over 40 and 50 years old, both married, so I don't worry much. My husband had a stroke a few years ago, his health is weaker but he is fortunate to be able to take care of himself. This job requires me to work early and stay late, but my whole family advised me to keep doing what I like. I realized that the happiest thing for me is to live fully with my acting career. At this age, I want nothing more than good health, so that after a day of filming, I can go home and cook a full meal for my husband and children.

Mai Nhat