Nearly 4-decade friendship
Hong Van and Hong Dao became close from their years of studying at School of Stage Arts 2 (now University of Theater and Cinema). Hong Van at that time was a junior and admired Hong Dao a lot.
After graduating, the two worked together at 5B Theater and made their mark through many plays such as "Lôi vũ", "Ngôi nhà không có đàn ông", "Tình nghệ sĩ", "Chuyến tàu hoàng hôn".
It is not known since when, bosses, directors and audiences all assumed that if acting together, Hong Van would play the villainous, sharp-tongued role, while Hong Dao would be the opposite. The difference in personality and acting style also became part of creating the harmony between the two artists.
My youth cannot be without Hong Dao," Hong Van shared about her friend who has accompanied her through many stages of life.
Even when Hong Dao immigrated to the US, the friendship between the two was still maintained. When Hong Van's son went to the US to study abroad, Hong Dao became a spiritual support for her friend's child. When she heard the news that Hong Dao was hospitalized in the US, Hong Van also put aside her work to visit; or Hong Dao also once just because of a call from Hong Van, she immediately flew back to Vietnam to participate in a program with her friend.
Loving each other in real life, "destroying" each other in movies
In the movie "Len huong", the contrast between the two artists is pushed high, but it is completely opposite to the true personalities of both. Hong Dao plays Mrs. Mui, the owner of a thorny, cold prison camp. This is considered a role that is significantly different from the actress's previous images.
Meanwhile, Hong Van plays Mrs. Sau Vang, a well-off single mother with a roasted duck shop but sentimental, always living in a state of anxiety because of her son's different choices.
The special point lies in the relationship between the two characters. Hong Van and Hong Dao are no longer a flirtatious couple, but have become opponents, constantly competing, fighting and cursing and trying to "defeat" each other.
Hong Dao and I have acted together in several films, but this is the most impressive film, because this is the first time we have been opponents," NSND Hong Van shared.
For Hong Dao, the biggest challenge is not having to face her best friend. She said that closeness and understanding help both of them easily improvise in tense scenes.
On the contrary, a memory that Hong Dao remembers most is when she stood outside watching Hong Van perform a crying scene. Because Hong Van in real life is always lively, optimistic and full of energy, Hong Dao admitted that she "just wants to laugh" when she sees her friend cry.
The movie "Len huong" belongs to the psychological and family genre, directed by Khuong Ngoc and Tan Hoang Thong, attracting attention when borrowing the lives and fates of funeral service workers to depict friendship, love, motherhood and contemplation of the past, life and death.
The movie officially premieres nationwide from September 18.
