Actress Tu Quyen: I learn to walk slowly, not pressured to succeed early

Although just starting out in movies, it can be said that Tu Quyen has made an impression with the role of Tuyet Lan in the movie "The Other Side of the City". Tuyet Lan is a character with a fairly clear psychological transformation process. Some people say that young actors often need a "strong enough" role to be remembered. Do you see this as an opportunity to prove your abilities?

- I think the character Tuyet Lan is both an opportunity and a very big challenge for me. An opportunity because this is a character with psychological depth, with a clear development journey and gives me the opportunity to experience many different emotional levels. Tuyet Lan is a character with a lot of hurt, many thoughts kept secret inside and often has to face everything on her own.

To express that, I have to spend a lot of time understanding the character's psychology and learn to control emotions through eyes and expressions rather than words. I don't see this as an opportunity to prove myself because I think a successful role does not come from trying to prove anything. I just hope I can do my best as a storyteller. If the audience remembers Tuyet Lan, loves or even debates about this character, I think that is already a very lucky and precious thing.

Many people think that Tu Quyen is quite risky when her debut role has a negative color. When receiving attention from the audience, especially with a controversial role, how do you face praise and criticism?

- Initially, I was also quite nervous when reading the audience's comments because this was one of my first roles, but gradually I realized that the audience's love or suggestions are all very precious things. I am happy to be recognized by the audience, but I always remind myself not to fall asleep in praise.

With opposing opinions, I try to see it as an opportunity to learn and improve myself more. I think the luckiest thing is that the character Tuyet Lan has created emotions for the audience. Whether loving, empathetic or even debating about the character, it also shows that everyone is really following and accompanying the story.

As a new face, Tu Quyen entered television dramas with many expectations but is also easily scrutinized. After your first role, how have you changed your perspective on acting?

- After my first role, I think the biggest change is that I no longer see the acting profession just through what the audience sees on screen anymore. I understand more about the hardship behind each scene, about the responsibility of an actor to the character, to the crew and to the audience's affection for the film.

I also realize that acting is a journey of learning without stopping point. Every day on set gives me a new lesson, from the professional working style of the seniors to how to control emotions and improve myself. As a new face, I still have a lot to learn, but instead of fearing my shortcomings, I choose to see it as motivation to try harder.

I know I still have a long way to go and I hope to have the opportunity to try my hand at many different roles to become more mature in the profession.

During the filming process, was there any moment that made Tu Quyen realize that acting is not only about learning lines and expressions, but also about the ability to observe and bring your own experiences into the character?

- I think so. There are scenes where Tuyet Lan doesn't talk too much but has to express a lot of emotions inside, when I realize that acting is not just about knowing lines or expressing emotions according to the script, but also about understanding what the character is thinking, what they are hiding and what injuries they carry. To do that, I often observe the people around me and myself.

There are emotions like disappointment, feeling of being misunderstood, or times when I want to talk a lot but choose to remain silent, I think everyone has experienced it to some extent. I have tried to bring my real experiences and emotions into the character so that everything becomes as natural as possible.

In real life, Tu Quyen is still very young, both studying and starting to work. How do you keep yourself from getting caught up too quickly in fame or the pressure to succeed early?

- I think I am still in a stage of learning more than enjoying success. Every opportunity that comes to me is very precious, but I always remind myself that a role or a movie cannot decide the whole journey ahead.

Fortunately, I always have family and people around me reminding me to keep focusing on studying, training and perfecting myself every day. I think instead of being too stressed with having to succeed quickly, I want to take steady steps and accumulate experience through each project. I am still young so I am not afraid that I need more time to learn. For me, the most important thing at this time is to do what I have and always maintain my passion for the profession. I believe that if I am serious and persistent enough, good results will come at the right time.

After the movie "Phía bên kia thành phố" (The Other Side of the City), does Tú Quyên want the audience to remember her as a young actress suitable for school movies, or as someone who is capable of going deeper into more introverted roles?

- I think I don't want to put myself in a choice between appearance and acting. Appearance may be an advantage to suit certain types of roles, but what I care more about is that each character I play has its own story and color.

After the movie "The Other Side of the City", I hope the audience remembers me more through Tuyet Lan's journey. If people can feel the hurts, the struggles and changes of the characters, I think that is already a very happy thing.