Titles of People's Artist, Meritorious Artist and the limits of "proposals" and consideration for awarding

From the noise of artist Do Ky, what is the limit for the "authenticity" of the title of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist?

The noise about the application for the 10th People's Artist title of Meritorious Artist Do Ky has not stopped after the post on his personal page (Facebook) on November 24, 2023. In the posted content and in the Artist Review Application, it was even stated that he was "shocked", "psychologically traumatized", "blood pressure was always at 170mgH"... Thousands of mixed comments and hundreds of shares have taken place. The question that many readers have raised and focused on is: the criteria (hard and soft), the limits on the proposal, consideration for the title of People's Artist, Meritorious Artist as well as the ambition of artists in the world of fame?

Meritorious Artist Do Ky said he had just received the latest notice from the Department of Performing Arts, therefore, his application review was stopped due to the petition. (Photo: Toan Vu)

Proposal and awarding of titles, why stop?

On November 24, on his personal Facebook page (nick name Do Ky), Meritorious Artist Do Ky posted a photo of a Request for Review (dated November 23) sent to the leaders and competent authorities to consider a Notice he had received before. Specifically, the content: "This file was temporarily left behind by the Central Emulation and Commendation Committee to the Prime Minister because: the individual who submitted the petition did not meet the conditions and standards to be considered for the 10th People's Artist title."

This content is extracted from Notice No. 604/TB-NTBD dated November 21, 2023 announcing the results of the appraisal of the application for the 10th "People's Artist" title by the Department of Performing Arts sent information to Meritorious Artist Pham Do Ky.

Immediately after the information posted by artist Do Ky, another Facebook account named Nguyen The Khoa (Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Culture Magazine and the website of Vietnam Culture Magazine) also posted a related story. In it, the journalist clearly stated a part of the content that artist Do Ky questioned in the petition such as: "Vietnam Culture Magazine once received a petition denouncing Meritorious Artist Do Ky".

Mr. Khoa also detailed: “I suddenly remembered that between 2022 and early 2023, the magazine Van Hien Viet Nam continuously received urgent complaints from a person who was a colleague of Meritorious Artist Do Ky at the Vietnam Drama Theater. The complaints all affirmed that Meritorious Artist Do Ky did not have the moral qualities and professional standards according to Decree No. 40/2021 of the Government on conferring the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist.”

The journalist also detailed: “The person who sent the petition attached the Minutes of the meeting on the above reflections of her to Meritorious Artist Do Ky of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at 8:00 a.m. on August 18, 2022 at the headquarters at the Ministry 51 Ngo Quyen. Because the magazine Van hien VN does not have the capacity to investigate, we would like to accept the petitioner's document and await the handling by the authorities.”

This means that artist Do Ky has not only received one complaint but many complaints and the level is "continuous". And those complaints may be being clarified by the authorities. That is also the reason why on the afternoon of December 1, 2023, Meritorious Artist Do Ky said that he had just received the latest document from the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) about his failure to be considered for the title of People's Artist.

The announcement clearly stated: "This file was submitted by the Central Emulation and Commendation Committee to the Prime Minister for temporary retention due to the individual's petition, not meeting the conditions and criteria to be considered for the 10th "People's Artist" title."

In fact, the consideration of awarding the title of "People's Artist" and "Meritorious Artist" according to Decree No. 40/2021/ND-CP dated March 30, 2021 (amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 89/2014/ND-CP dated September 29, 2014) has clearly stipulated the criteria for recommendation and awarding. If you compare carefully, you will also see the cause of the problem. In addition, an individual who has filed a complaint must be handled according to the Law on Denunciation. That is, the settlement of the complaint and the waiting time for the complaint to be resolved by the competent authorities is also a factor that needs to be considered in considering the work of commendation and awarding. It will be very difficult to handle the consequences when an individual who has a complaint is awarded by the Ministry, State level... Although this is a disadvantage, in reality, it is mandatory to follow the process of waiting for the complaint to be resolved with clear results and conclusions. In case of damage and the injured person has an opinion, it will continue to be resolved according to the law (this is not only regulated but also has a very clear precedent).

Meritorious Artist Do Ky plays Mr. Kinh in the movie "Where Dreams Return". (Source: VTV)

The limits of reaction and the joy and sadness of the behavior of the "famous" artist

Although artist Do Ky affirmed that he "has no desire for this or that title", the way he posted information of an internal nature, which is being clarified with the purpose of "hoping that people will give their opinions so that I will stop being sad and have more faith in this life" and also "concluded" that "yet there are still people who are jealous and envious", it is worth thinking about the story of behavior, proper behavior and the limits of reaction and the joys and sorrows of the behavior of artists "honored" by the State.

The worry and sadness – from the artist’s personal perspective – can be understood, shared and sympathized with. However, the artist’s way, content and direction of “attribution” seem to have indirectly and directly caused damage to the relevant officials and leaders of the management agency (who are also his close colleagues).

Also in the posted information, the artist stated his “wish”: “I just want to live in peace and enjoy life and I want everyone to not be in the same situation as I am now. This small hope is not difficult to come true, right? Let go… let go…” But in reality, a person with many years of experience in the profession, with management experience and “rich” life experience like artist Do Ky also understands that his posting of internal information, with many contents that are being clarified publicly on the “market” - social networks to “ask for opinions” from “citizens” is already an unpeaceful and un-let go solution…

In fact, the content posted by both artist Do Ky and journalist Nguyen Dang Khoa above immediately caused heated "debates". Many opinions were put forward to share, sympathize and partly "defend" the "feelings" and "health" of the artist. There were opinions that strongly refuted that the artist "made a fuss", "like... a child who lost his candy...", "because of the title of People's Artist/High blood pressure is even more dangerous..."... There were opinions criticizing the true value of an artist and a title such as "why does it have to be so important. If you are truly talented, you don't need anyone to bestow it on you...".

There are also opinions that disagree with the reaction of artist Do Ky. They believe that the Notice sent by the Department of Performing Arts clearly stated the reason. If there are any questions, artists can completely... behave in a more "civilized" and appropriate way by sending a Request to clarify the unsatisfactory information and wait for the results according to the administrative settlement process prescribed in the Law.

Many audiences also believe that this “lack of sympathy” and “unreasonable” reaction of the artist comes from “greed”, “fame-seeking”, “desire for fame”, “reluctance to let go”… Even the “additional” mention in the Petition to review the normal work of a Ministry official – “Ms. Nguyet, phone number…” is also something worth thinking about. The action of an organization official is to request the removal of internal information, which is being clarified… from a place that is still considered a “hotbed of gossip” to wait for the final result, which is also a civilized and correct action. However, through the male artist, it is directed to a different idea. Not to mention, the debates and opinions of the audience and readers have more or less “touched” and hurt the real artists (who have met the prescribed standards) who have been awarded the title.

The story of the proposal and awarding of this title is certainly not over yet. Not only because all the contents of the petition are still being reviewed and resolved, but perhaps also partly because of the behavior of the people involved - those who seem to be deliberately "igniting" the incident, pushing public opinion in the direction they want.

In any case, before and after incidents like this, the reaction of artists and especially the way information is shared on social networking sites (which are very sensitive and have many regulations and controls, overlap) is worth discussing and seriously considering handling. It is not only a sensitive issue, very easy to create bad consequences but also has the potential to cause damage to many individuals and related units.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/danh-hieu-nsnd-nsut-va-gioi-han-cua-de-nghi-xet-tang-252412.html