What led Tuan to filmmaking? Was it a profession he thought he would pursue since he was a child?
Filmmaking is a profession I never thought I'd pursue. Back then, I only saw actors on TV, so I never dreamed of becoming an artist; at most, I'd just been a fanboy.
While studying economics at Saigon University (Ho Chi Minh City), I participated in a student-community competition. Afterward, I was unexpectedly invited to do advertising photoshoots. Once, I went to a film casting call just for fun, but I was chosen. My mother was overjoyed, saying, "I can't believe my son is on TV!" Seeing my mother happy inspired me to take on more roles, and gradually, I fell in love with acting without even realizing it.
What was your first movie? Do you remember those initial feelings when you first stood in front of the camera?
My first television drama was " The Lavender Season That Year," 11 years ago. However, I still remember my leading role in " The Dong Cac Sisters ." At the time, I couldn't remember where the camera was positioned, so I kept turning my back to it. The producer noticed and asked if the director had mistakenly cast the wrong person. I felt incredibly embarrassed. I was very clumsy when I first started, but through practice, I gradually learned how to handle situations, from playing a model to... a murderer.
Tuan Tran plays Minh Gon, a character with intellectual disabilities, in the film "Making Money with Ghosts 2: The Diamond War."
PHOTO: DPCC
What are the differences between acting in television and film? Which genre do you enjoy acting in the most?
Each genre has its own advantages. If it weren't for television, I probably wouldn't have had as much experience in film. Television allowed me to try out more roles, film more scenes, and the acting style was different. Film requires more expression of emotion through the eyes, while television has more dialogue. Now that I'm a film actor, if there's a good television script that suits my abilities, I'll accept the role. Many television series are very well made now.
What role did you play in your debut film, *The Family Curse* , directed by Dang Thai Huyen? Do you regret not having the opportunity to participate in *Red Rain* , also directed by Dang Thai Huyen?
The Family Curse is a horror film released in 2017. This was my first time playing a lead role in a feature film. I played Nam, a student who returned home after studying abroad and encountered many mysteries in a strange house. I really enjoyed participating in projects with new themes, like war, but Ms. Huyen didn't invite me.
I once participated in the "Stars Join the Army" program , and when I entered the military environment, I felt a surge of enthusiasm and national pride. I witnessed the determination and resilience of the soldiers. Who knows, maybe someday I'll get to star in a war movie, that would be amazing. I really hope Ms. Dang Thai Huyen reads these words (laughs) .
Tuan Tran with his fans
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
There were reports that he sold lottery tickets on the streets to make a living when he was a child. Is this true?
My childhood was quite turbulent. In first grade, I almost drowned, but luckily I was rescued. I used to go with my mother to sell lottery tickets, living in a house less than 11 square meters , 3.5 meters wide and 3 meters long, in a poor working-class neighborhood. However, my mother never made me feel deprived. At that time, my father was working, my older brother was in school, and my mother was selling lottery tickets. Since there was no one to look after me at home, she took me along. I was only 3 or 4 years old then, I lisped, and I would go shirtless holding a stack of lottery tickets, calling out: "Auntie, please buy a lottery ticket! Sir, please buy a lottery ticket from me!"... everyone felt sorry for me. Now, looking back, I feel even more sorry for my mother. Those were moments that truly helped me grow, valuable experiences that will serve as a foundation for my future acting roles.
The Godfather marked a resounding success for Tuan Tran when he played the lead role of Quan. Following that, The Southern Forest Land showed a clear improvement in Tuan Tran's acting...
"Southern Forest Land" is the film where I was... dirtiest because I had to play a wandering, cunning thief. However, I really liked the character of Ut Luc Lam because he had a very warm heart, was very patriotic, and always helped those in need. Through this role, I understood more about the patriotism of our people. I felt like I was traveling through time, "touching" that era, the time when our ancestors shed blood for independence to achieve the peace we have today.
The role of Út Lục Lâm is played by Tuấn Trần in the film "Southern Forest Land".
PHOTO: DPCC
Following a series of recent films such as *Making Money with Ghosts* , *Claws* , and most recently * Abandoning My Mother*, In "Making Money with Ghosts 2: The Diamond War ," which genre do you feel you're best suited for? Why?
I never really define which genre suits me best. There was a time when I enjoyed playing psychological roles. However, in the future, if I receive a script that I find interesting and emotionally moving, I'll accept it. The genres I'm interested in are historical action or villainous roles, so if I have the opportunity, I'll participate immediately. As for horror, I haven't dared to think about it yet because… I'm still very afraid of ghosts.
Tuan Tran and Hoai Linh in the film "Making Money with Ghosts 2: The Diamond War".
PHOTO: DPCC
Did Tuan's real-life feelings for his mother translate into the film "Abandoning My Mother "? His portrayal of a son caring for his mother with Alzheimer's disease felt very genuine. If he were in a similar situation in real life, how would he handle it?
I only accept roles in scripts that resonate with me and connect with my real life. I love my mother very much, but I'm luckier than the character in the film because I've suffered so much and faced so many hardships, from health issues to caring for my sick mother since I was young. The role of Hoan in the film taught me many valuable lessons: after everything, what Hoan wants to keep is her sick mother. In real life, I'm the same; I would never think about abandoning my mother, I would only carry her with me throughout my life.
For me, filial piety is extremely important. Since I was little, watching traditional Vietnamese opera (cải lương) terrified me when I witnessed unfilial children descending to the eighteen levels of hell. As I grew up, I developed a strong bond with my family. When my father passed away, I loved my mother even more. I even made my mother cry because she missed me so much due to my constant filming trips. In the film " Making Money with Ghosts 2: The Diamond War ," the scene where Minh Gọn, played by me, gets beaten up badly by Giang (Võ Tấn Phát) at the end also made my mother cry a lot because she saw how hard I was acting. I am very fortunate to have always had my mother's support and guidance throughout my career.
Having won numerous awards such as the Green Star, Golden Kite, and Vietnam Film Festival for his entertainment films, do you think you'll ever participate in a truly artistic film?
As an actress, I always want to conquer many different roles. However, the important thing is whether my life experience is sufficient to portray them. Every role requires depth to touch the audience's emotions. The goal is to make the audience recognize my character as they would in real life.
In your opinion, is there a difference between commercially driven entertainment films and art house films? Why?
For me, each film depends on the director's perspective and storytelling. Even with the same situation or event, each person will have a different feeling; this largely depends on the individual. Cinema has only one language: to connect with the audience. No matter the genre, as long as it reaches the audience, it's a success.
Having performed many songs such as " Have You Ever Loved Me? ", " Through the Rainy Days" , "21 Days of Loving You" , " I Can't ...", do you plan to become a professional singer?
Absolutely not. Before I joined the web drama, my manager kept saying, "You understand the story best, so just sing." I forced myself to try. My voice was really strained. However, while filming, I felt a connection with the character I was portraying, so I wanted to sing even though my voice was terrible. I only sang for fun; if I were a professional singer, everyone would probably run away.
Tuan Tran (playing Hoan) in the film "Bringing Mother Away to Leave"
PHOTO: DPCC
Does the title of "billion-dollar actor" create pressure? What do you think when the films you star in fail at the box office?
That title sounded strange at first, and I felt pressured, but then I felt embarrassed because it should be for the whole team, not just one person. From a personal perspective, I just want the audience to recognize that Tuan Tran is a serious actor who puts his heart and soul into each role. That's what puts pressure on me, not the film's revenue, which is up to the director, producer, and distributor.
After "Abandoning My Mother ," audiences will once again "meet" Tuan Tran in the film " Making Money with Ghosts 2: The Diamond War ." What difficulties did he encounter while participating in this second part directed by Trung Lun?
The underwater action scenes were the biggest challenge. Filming on boats and barges was much more difficult than on land. La Thanh and I had to swim against the current, risking death if we made a mistake. In the film, there's a scene where Minh Gon is hit by a barge while swimming underwater, and I suffered scrapes and bruises on my arms and legs while filming. Besides that, the film crew also had to contend with unpredictable weather, and the actors performed many dangerous stunts while filming on the river. I had to learn about people with intellectual disabilities from acquaintances and realized they have a very limited vocabulary in their communication, as if they live in a world of their own. From that, director Trung Lun and I decided we had to change the voice. To prevent the audience from recognizing Tuan Tran instead of Minh Gon, we had a medical prosthesis fitted to the mouth. This distorted the pronunciation, creating a distinctive voice for the character.
Tuan Tran plays Minh Gon, a character with intellectual disabilities, in the film "Making Money with Ghosts 2: The Diamond War."
PHOTO: DPCC
Tuan Tran will reappear alongside Phuong Anh Dao in the 2026 Lunar New Year film project "Heaven's Gift," directed by Le Thanh Son. The film will be released at the same time as Tran Thanh's "Rabbit, Oh!" . What are your thoughts on the opinion that Tuan Tran is going head-to-head with Tran Thanh in this Lunar New Year film?
I didn't think I needed to compete because Mr. Thanh is very talented, and I'm far behind him. When Mr. Son and the producer sent me the script, I felt it was good and wanted to play the role in the film, so I accepted. This is also my first opportunity to act with Phuong Anh Dao after the film Mai . The release date depends on the producer and distributor, and it's just a projection; it could change.
Many people say that Tuan Tran no longer relies on Tran Thanh to develop his career and has now stood on his own two feet. What do you think about this comment?
I am always grateful to Mr. Thanh because he gave me so much experience in the profession through the films " The Godfather," "Mai," and also life experiences. From there, I had the opportunity to hone my acting skills and collaborate with and learn from many other directors such as Nguyen Quang Dung, Le Thanh Son, Trung Lun, Mo Hong-jin… I am always grateful to them all.
Tuan Tran and Phuong Anh Dao in the movie Mai
PHOTO: DPCC
Author: Do Tuan
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuan-tran-vai-nao-cung-can-do-sau-de-cham-den-khan-gia-185250907080923008.htm
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