You once had a period of limiting acting to spend time with your family. Why did you make this decision?
- The time I temporarily stopped some work was when Thuy Diem just gave birth. She spent more than 1 year pregnant and becoming a mother. For an actress, such a long period of not being in the profession can make people feel sad and miss the film studio.
I am also an actress, so I understand that feeling. After Diem gave birth and her health stabilized, I encouraged her to return to work. If you want your wife to be at peace when acting, there must be someone at home to take care of the children and take care of the family. I accept to step back to be a rear for my wife.
I don't see it as too much sacrifice. In the family, depending on the time, each person will take on a different role. When my child is stronger, I will return to active activities. The important thing is that husband and wife agree and not let one person completely give up the job they love.
After more than 20 years in the profession, has the way you prepare for each role changed?
- I still maintain a principle for many years. When I received the script, for the first time I read it throughout from beginning to end to grasp the whole story. I needed to understand what the film wanted to say, how the characters had relationships and what role my characters played in the overall picture.
By the second reading, I focused more deeply on the character I played. I analyzed the character, circumstances, thoughts and changes of the character through each stage. After that, I found ways to bring my feelings and expressions into the role.
Actors cannot just memorize lines and then go to the set. If they do not understand the character, their expressions and actions will become superficial. I always try to live close to the character so that when standing in front of the camera, all reactions are more realistic.
Has the character research ever put pressure on you?
- There were many times I lost sleep when receiving a new script. It's not that I was intentionally conscious, but because the situation, dialogue and expressions of the character kept repeating in my head.
I often ask myself what state a line should be told, how the character reacts, or how the scene can be handled to be more convincing. Those questions continue to appear even when I have rested.
Usually, it takes me several nights to find the "true" for the role, that is, to identify the core of the character and how I will express myself. When I understand that person, I feel lighter and sleep better.
How did you and Thuy Diem exchange with each other before accepting a new role?
- From before until now, my husband and I have had a principle that before receiving a project, each person reads the script and then tells the other person. Sometimes I give the script to Diem to read, other times she gives me her own script.
After reading, we give feedback on the character and how to handle it. The other person can see a detail that the actor himself is missing. This approach helps both understand each other's work and limit unnecessary misunderstandings.
When the script has a romantic scene, we also discuss it in advance. Diem understands that it is work, and I also have a similar view of my wife's role. Transparency makes the two people not pressured with their partners when entering the studio.
What is your opinion on intimate scenes on screen?
- Once a role is accepted, professional actors must try to perform the necessary scenes to portray the character correctly. However, the scene must serve the story, the character's psychology or create a premise for the subsequent developments.
If a scene is meaningless for the character and the film, the actor has the right to exchange it with the director. But if it is a necessary link, you must find a way to complete it best within the limits agreed upon with the film crew.
For me, the problem is not in how bold the scene is, but in the reason it appears. When understanding the purpose of the scene, the actor will know how to express it so as not to be ostentatious or offensive.
Both husband and wife are actors. Does this bring advantages or create more challenges?
- For me, that is an advantage. Many people think that if two actors marry each other and understand each other's work, they will lose emotions or find it difficult to sublimate. I feel the opposite.
My partner understands the characteristics of the profession, erratic filming schedules and the pressures I have to go through. Diem is willing to share and empathize with me from work to life. Thanks to that, I can focus on the character and confidently accept difficult roles.
Diem also wants to find new, challenging characters like me. Husband and wife can contribute ideas and support each other but still respect each other's final choice.
Of course, we still have to arrange to avoid receiving too long projects at the same time. If both are away from home, taking care of children and maintaining family life will be difficult.
Why have you rarely appeared in reality TV shows for many years?
- I have not participated in long-term gameshows for about more than 10 years. Before getting married, I participated in some small programs, filming for one day to complete. At that time, the journey gameshow was not as developed as it is now.
Now, there are programs that last a few months. If I participate continuously, I have to limit receiving films, and at the same time I don't have much time for my family.
I can accept to be a guest for 1 or 2 days. As for the long journey program, I have to consider very carefully. Currently, I still want to prioritize acting and spend the rest of my time with my wife and children.
Is the revenue of a film a pressure for actors?
- From a personal point of view, actors must have revenue pressure with the producer. Most actors sign role-based contracts, complete work and receive remuneration, so they do not directly enjoy revenue. However, that does not mean we are allowed to be indifferent to the results of the film.
When there is pressure, actors will be aware of having to live their best with the role, helping the work to be attractive and touch the audience. Only when the audience loves it will they go to the cinema or watch the movie. When the producer has revenue, they continue to invest in other projects, creating more job opportunities for actors and crews.
If you only think that you have completed the role and received the remuneration, and the producer's profit or loss is not related, it is somewhat cold. They invest a lot of money and enthusiasm in a project, and the actors have accompanied them for many months. Looking at the partners losing money, I myself am also sad and pityful for them.
So what values has the acting profession brought you?
- Filmmaking is a process of giving and receiving. When actors work seriously, portray characters closely and touch emotions, audiences will love the role and then give affection to the artist.
That support helps me have more opportunities to receive new characters. If there are no audiences, there are no actors either, because actors must have people to watch and feel their works.
The audience's affection also reminds me not to be easy-going. Each new role needs preparation, even when I have been in the profession for many years.
What kind of role do you want to conquer in the near future?
- I also want to try many roles. For more than 20 years, audiences have often known Luong The Thanh through gentle, kind, young master, rich people or overseas Vietnamese characters. Those types of roles have appeared quite a lot in my career.
Currently, I want to change, find more difficult characters, with personality and bring new experiences. I want to try my hand at villainous, evil roles, even with unusual psychology. The more emotional levels the character has, the more interested I become.
A professional actor needs to be able to portray many types of roles, from old to young, from positive to negative. I have not dared to admit that I have conquered truly difficult characters. Recent roles are only partially different from the old image. I hope the producers see this desire for change and give me a chance.
Thank you for sharing!
