At the age of 88, while many other artists have retired and chosen to enjoy their old age with their children and grandchildren, why hasn't artist Hong Sap allowed himself to "rest"?
- I think partly due to difficult circumstances, I still want to work hard to make a living and cover my living expenses. I am luckier than some other colleagues because at the age of 88, I still feel healthy and move normally, so I try to do some other jobs to earn income.
I look after the outfits of Binh Tinh's Huynh Long tour group. However, in the past, the group has not had a new performance, so I have no job, I am very worried.
Currently, the audience sees that artist Hong Sap is still passionate about acting. Recently, she appeared in Huynh Lap's horror film "A Nhap Nhang". How does the role help you make ends meet?
- I still love my job very much. I still look forward to seeing if any film crew invites me to participate, no matter how big or small the role, I will accept it.
Before Tet, I was lucky to be invited by Huynh Lap to act in the movie "A Nhap Nhang". The film crew paid me 5 million VND for the salary. This amount of money is enough for me to cover my living expenses for a while.
Of which, I used to pay for a rent in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, and bought some food for myself and my nephew to live with.
She is still passionate about her profession and always accepts all roles, but in the field of management, she was also a star on stage. Are you still enthusiastic about plays?
- At the age of 8, I followed my parents from Hanoi to Saigon to make a living. At the age of 14, I started participating in Tuong plays as an illustrative dancer.
In my career, my favorite and most impressive role is Cam's mother role in the "Tam Cam" series. In addition, I also took on the roles of flat-roofed and toxic diggers in some guilds around Ho Quang such as: Tinh su A Nang, Luu Kim Dinh, Sam mat mat mat mat tinh ca, Hai dong ma sua...
I still remember that time, I played a villain role to the point that the audience growled up and said: "You are so evil, don't be afraid to hit me wherever you meet me".
Until now, after decades of pursuing the ancient canal cutting profession, I still love the profession. Up to now, I still want to work in this profession, as long as I can act, on stage or in movies, I accept it.
Artists of her time or younger are now famous or have become big stars, while she still struggles to make a living every day. Thinking about this, do you feel sad?
- If I say no, I am lying. But I think, each person has some. If anyone in life is lucky enough to maintain their appeal and have a solid foundation, they will become famous and have a more comfortable life.
As for me, I may not be so lucky. But I have never thought negatively or complained about life being too unfair to me. I just hope that every day of my life will pass peacefully, be healthy, and not get sick so that I can go to work and meet everyone.
Many artists such as Mac Can, Huynh Thanh Tra... have chosen to enter artist nursing homes to relieve their illnesses at the end of their lives. However, she is 88 years old and is still struggling...
- I feel very healthy, able to walk and clear-headed, while artists in nursing homes often lose the ability to work or are in a lot of pain. I can still work, so I have no intention of applying.
Moreover, I am used to free, comfortable life, eating everything, so I am afraid that I am not used to it, not adapting to life in it.
Despite going through a difficult life, she is still optimistic. Why do you always keep such a source of positive energy for yourself?
- Nearly 90 years old, after seven decades in the profession, experiencing all the bitterness and sadness, I feel like I have nothing to regret. Although life is still full of hardship, I always look at life more positively and happily to help myself avoid weight and pressure.
To have fun, I'm used to being so hardworking, if there were more hardship, I would still accept it.
What are the wishes of artist Hong Sap in their late teens?
- I have no big wishes. Honestly, at the moment, I just hope to be healthy enough to work. I also do not ask for titles or achieve anything in this life.
For me, living happily and peacefully every day is a happy thing.
Thank you for sharing!
