Lao Dong reporter had a conversation with Meritorious Artist Thanh Binh to listen to his concerns after 30 years in the profession.
In the film "Co anh, do la thanh binh", Meritorious Artist Thanh Binh plays the role of commune chairman. Previously, he played the role of a commune chairman in another prime-time broadcast. What makes your character different this time?
- I have many questions. Before, I was the commune chairman, but this person was quite simple, ranging but only to help my nephew. But this time, the commune chairman has many problems. However, I was under pressure because I was afraid of overlapping with my previous role. I tried to portray the character in a way that was suitable for the present time, so that the audience could see the difference between the two commune chairman characters.
Luckily, director Danh Dung built the character of Mr. Thu with his own profits but still had a sense of humor. He was afraid of his wife and was weak in the family, but in work, he was diligent and enthusiastic but fell for personal gain.
In the role of commune chairman closely connected with the functional forces, how did Meritorious Artist Thanh Binh cleverly portray the hidden corners, negativity and sensitive issues in the government apparatus?
- Actually, I rarely work with commune chairmen or provincial leaders. I can only observe and remember the way real-life officials talk and behave to film.
The character of Mr. Thu was originally a person of great dedication, but because he wanted to hold the position of commune chairman, he calculated and made mistakes. Mr. Thu's choices stem from his desire to continue working. Therefore, I try to portray many aspects of the character, in family relationships, with subordinates, with functional forces.
Despite being busy filming, Meritorious Artist Thanh Binh still has a love for the stage. On the small screen, he often plays a person with authority, but on the stage?
- In TV series, the highest position I have ever acted in is commune chairman, and on stage, I often play poor roles, but I have never acted in powerful characters. Maybe because my face is somewhat serious, I am often invited to play a leading role in films. Due to the nature of my profession, I often observe things around me, see how people eat, speak, and handle problems.
Meritorious Artist Thanh Binh's roles are serious and thorny, but there are still funny and witty scenes. In the film "Co anh, doa an binh yen", he also played a couple with artist Van Dung, bringing many humorous situations. Is that your intention to create attraction for the character?
- I don't think I alone but Van Dung, Ba Anh and many other artists have a talent for comedy. The specialty of the Youth Theater is also the comedy. I want to bring those comedy lines in to make political films softer, closer, and more familiar.
