The role is small but I am very satisfied, because I put the story ahead of my ego
After watching the movie "Trap for Money", how does artist Kieu Oanh feel about her role?
- If only looking at the personal "ego" perspective, it can be said that it is not enough. Which actor doesn't want to have more screen time, more scenes. But right from the moment I received the film, I clearly determined: This is a film about fraud, not a family romance film.
All the family stories in the film are just the foundation to clarify crimes, to "stimulate" the main dramatic flow. My character is only a very small part of that overall. When reading the initial script, this role was even less than now, lighter than now, not as edgy as the movie version. I still accept it because I see this as a very new, very modern topic, and a film pace that I have never had the opportunity to participate in before.
When I reviewed it, I found that I had kept what I had set out from the beginning: Thinking about the overall film first, then my character. At this age, after decades in the profession, for me, contributing a part to make the film better is the greatest success.
Many viewers said they "regret" that Kieu Oanh did not appear much. What do you personally feel about this assessment?
- I'm not sad, nor regret it. I feel sorry, because the audience loves me, so they regret it. But from a professional perspective, I think that's enough.
I was taught by People's Artist Ngoc Giau very early: In art, it is not just the main role that is memorable. There are roles that do not appear much, but contribute exactly to what is needed, making the overall work complete, that is the greatest success.
In the old days, in the play "Life of Co Luu", my mother also had segments that were not the longest, but until now the audience still reminds me. I learned to look at the role in that way. I don't set a goal that the audience must "miss this sister the most" after watching the movie, but: If people praise the movie as good, praise the acting of the two main roles, praise the director, and somewhere still remember this girl as a color in the right place, then that is complete for me.
If you exploit this character too much, delve too deeply into motherhood, parenting, family... then the story is distorted into a family psychological film, no longer a crime film. That's "pity" for the whole crew. There are times in art when you have to know how to sacrifice.
In the movie, which class in society does your character represent?
- The mother character in the film, in my opinion, is a very typical image of Vietnamese middle-aged people now: clever, educated, with life experience, thinking that they are very sober... but in the end they can still be deceived.
At first, viewers will find her very "smart": Knowing how to weigh, knowing how to be careful, knowing how to protect her children. But in the end, she herself is still caught up in the vortex, leading to tragedy for her daughter. That is what I find very good about this character.
In today's society, intellectuals are deceived in the intellectual style, workers are deceived in the labor style. Criminals "mix" all kinds of models, all kinds of tricks to deceive them. I think if the audience takes the time to look deeper into the characters, they will see that the message is in the mother, not just a supporting character to be present.
Only dare to admit to being a movie rookie
You once said you were just a "newcomer to cinema". At your current age and career, calling yourself a "newcomer" is a bit... disadvantageous?
- I said that very seriously. In my decades of working in the profession, I clearly feel that there are things that are not something I can do just because I want to, but it is true that there is some arrangement of the craft ancestors.
In the old days, when I had just finished art school, even before I could graduate, I went to the National Professional Stage Competition and was lucky enough to win a Gold Medal, and then won the talent and beauty award on stage. In the same year, I got a role in "Dat Phuong Nam" and some TV series that were shown over and over again every year. Those are milestones that if you say "a young student finds on their own" is not true. It is clearly fate and an arrangement.
Then there was a long period, cinema exploded, many new faces, many blockbusters, but I didn't fall into that flow. I'm not sad either. I had my time in the stage, on television. Now, if the Fatherland gives me the opportunity to return to cinema, even if it's a small role, I still cherish and consider myself a "newcomer", I have to learn from the beginning.
Listening to you constantly talk about performing in provinces, filming... currently, how do you feel about your health?
- I feel that I am still healthy, still have a lot of energy. My voice is sometimes healthier than before. But age is something I must respect, so I adjust myself: I don't do the "reckless" style like when I was twenty or thirty years old anymore, but I know how to choose, know how to rest at the right time, and save energy to go long distances.
Looking back, what is the most important thing for you in the profession?
- The most important thing is that I am still in the profession, still loved by the audience. Among millions of people, being remembered, called by the audience, waiting for me to appear like that is a very great grace, not necessarily "in the next life".
In terms of expertise, I always believe that in art, there are times when you have to know how to put aside your ego. Like this movie: If I keep trying to "keep" my role as much as possible, as outstandingly, it will deviate from the general story. When I accept to restrain myself, sacrifice a little, the movie is more complete, the crew is happier, and the audience receives it better, isn't that because I... get more?
I just hope for one very simple thing: for every movie, every play I participate in, if there is no big profit, then at least... break even, so that people in the profession have the opportunity to continue working and contributing. As for me personally, every day I am still healthy, still standing on stage, stepping into the studio, I feel enough.
Thank you for sharing!
