Lao Dong reporter had a conversation with People's Artist Bui Bai Binh to look back on his 50-year journey in the profession.
At nearly 70 years old, people still see People's Artist Bui Bai Binh riding a motorbike to a film press conference, full of art. After decades of acting, what does film mean to him now?
- As an artist, there are people with a lot of money, and there are also people who are very poor. I don't rely on income from acting. I also don't need to ask for much money, as long as I live well, my family is happy, my children are well-off, and sometimes having roles that are loved by the audience is fun.
Recently, I was offered a small role by Meritorious Artist Nguyen Danh Dung in the film "Co anh, that place is peaceful". Luckily, I trained and had good endurance. I still ride a motorbike, even film scenes of being punched in the face and falling into the ditch. In the movie "The Propher's House", I also learned to ride a horse and fell from a horse several times in pain. There were times when I didn't eat or drink all day, and the next day I stayed up. Gradually get used to it. I think if I can't work or be invited, I'm sadder than at home.
How will a day of free time without a schedule of People's Artist Bui Bai Binh go?
- When I am unemployed, my life is simple. In the morning, if there is no food available at home, I go out for breakfast and make my own coffee at home to drink. The couple sat talking, turned on TV to watch movies, read newspapers. Occasionally, I go out and drink beer with friends. In the evening, sometimes when the children and grandchildren come to visit, the whole family gathers together.
Compared to People's Artist Bui Bai Binh, his wife - Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu - seems to act less in films. Is it because he is too busy that his wife stepped in to support him?
- Sometimes people say that in a couple, there must be one person who sacrifices, but I think not so. It's all about fate. I am often invited to act in films, play many diverse roles, and have a strong interest in roles. My wife is younger, but has also acted in films like "Mother is away from home", "Son ca trong dong", "Buc dong khong bao".
Some people say that actors are " lucky", have a time, no one lives forever in their prime. Is People's Artist Bui Bai Binh afraid of running out of time?
- I think, it is not certain that actors have a time. I have been acting since 1975, when I was only 19 years old, when I first entered the school, director Pham Van Khoa invited me to act in a film. I have had a role that many people remember. However, now, I play many roles that the audience may not remember. In addition to talent and labor, actors also need to seize opportunities. The actor's time is very long. Until now, I am still waiting for a complete, thorny role. I can still act, still dream of having a good role.
People's Artist Bui Bai Binh has taken the material from life to nurture each role, and at the same time, how to nurture emotions from the role to nurture the soul, like his classic roles in "Ma Lang" and "Gio Lang Kinh"...
- There is a lot of living capital, there are gentle people, unfortunate people, good people, bad people. An actor must know how to pick up those small details, turn them into his own material. I think not everyone is meticulous, paying attention to every small thing to accumulate for themselves. Actors need to be passionate, study hard, and not be able to have a role or not have one.
He has gone through many ups and downs in cinema. In your opinion, being an actor in the past or present is difficult, in the current context when many amateur actors (without proper training) can still become famous?
- I find that every time there are unique characteristics, difficult to compare. In my time, being an actor was very expensive and I was very happy. To get a role, it must be very difficult, the actor is more diligent, tired, and passionate about his job. Now young people have a good environment, many events, many places to study. Many graduates are not allowed to act in films, but can do other jobs to make ends meet. As we did in the past, we were determined to live to death with the profession, by all means we had to have a role. It only takes 1 minute to perform well.
However, there are many good actors at the moment. We cannot deny the advantages and disadvantages of the past. But now, you also have the difficulties and advantages of the new era.
Sincerely thank People's Artist Bui Bai Binh for this conversation!
