Vietnamese actors acting in international films: Many opportunities, many challenges

International filmmaking opportunities within reach

Vietnamese actors appearing in international films is no longer strange to the public in recent years. Many domestic film fans must have been proud to see Ngo Thanh Van transform into characters with Vietnamese imprints, alongside famous Hollywood stars Charlize Theron, Olga Kurylenko, John David Washington... in The Old Guard (2020), The Princess (2022), The Creator (2023). Or the impressive appearance with the character named Yen played by Nhung Kate in The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023) - the prequel series of the John Wick franchise that caused a global fever.

Diễn viên Việt đóng phim quốc tế: Nhiều cơ hội, đầy thách thức- Ảnh 1. — Tue Minh in Guess Who Can Cuff Me, the movie that caused a fever at the Korean box office with more than 5.7 million tickets sold in just 12 days

Over the past year, more and more faces have appeared in foreign projects, showing the progress of the young generation of Vietnamese actors in their journey to reach the international screen. A highlight is Tue Minh in I, the Executioner (I bet you can't handcuff me) co-starring with "Korean box office king" Hwang Jung-min and handsome Jung Hae-in. The 28-year-old actress transformed into a Vietnamese girl, although it was only a supporting role, the character played a key role in helping the main characters resolve the story in the film. The role also partly depicted the lives of Vietnamese women in Korea.

In addition, many other Vietnamese actors have also portrayed Vietnamese characters through a series of upcoming international projects. Among them are Lien Binh Phat in the Taiwanese film project Hoa Ngoai Chi Y co-starring with Truong Quan Ninh; Rima Thanh Vy's main role in the film Co Dau Ma, a collaboration between Vietnam and Thailand; Duy Khanh, Hoang Ha, Cu Thi Tra... through the Vietnamese-Korean film project Dreams of You co-starring with Lee Kwang-soo. From the above cases, it can be seen that international filmmakers are increasingly paying attention to the element of cultural and ethnic diversity in films, paying attention to the Vietnamese market and audience.

From her own experience, Tue Minh believes that young Vietnamese actors acting in international films is completely within reach. "Now is the era of a flat world , all international cinemas need roles that suit their characters. And not only Vietnamese people but anyone who fits the character has the opportunity to cast and participate in these projects. So I think the opportunity to participate in international projects is completely within the capabilities of Vietnamese actors," she confided.

What do you see when Vietnamese people act in international films?

Stepping onto the international screen opens up many opportunities but is also a big challenge for young Vietnamese actors. They do not have much acting experience, lack many skills to work in an international environment (including foreign languages) and have to be independent and proactive in many aspects because there are still quite a few "pioneers".

Diễn viên Việt đóng phim quốc tế: Nhiều cơ hội, đầy thách thức- Ảnh 2. — Lien Binh Phat and Truong Quan Ninh at the closing party of the movie Hoa Ngoai Chi Y last year.

In more developed film industries than Vietnam, such as Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, the US, etc., filmmakers have strict working processes and standards for each department, especially actors. In addition to meeting the specific requirements of each film industry, Vietnamese actors need to overcome many "thorns".

Tue Minh, Rima Thanh Vy, Lien Binh Phat or Duy Khanh all consider foreign language as a prerequisite for working abroad. Because it helps actors and international crews easily communicate and understand each other's wishes in order to achieve high efficiency in work. With his own experience, Lien Binh Phat shared: "We have to face the problem directly, when filmmakers want to choose Vietnamese actors, they certainly want to see the pure Vietnamese nature in that actor. So sometimes there are roles that do not require the character to speak a very advanced foreign language, the important thing is that you must clearly understand your cultural identity. But of course, when stepping out of national boundaries to work, language is like a "weapon" that always goes with it. The sharper the weapon, the more favorable and easier everything is."

In addition to overcoming language differences, integrating into the general culture and working culture of a foreign country is also a challenge. This factor is also focused on by international filmmakers to improve for foreign actors participating in their projects. As in the case of Rima Thanh Vy, she shared that she was sent to study and learn more about Thai acting style to neutralize the acting style suitable for both Vietnamese and Thai audiences, easily integrating and focusing completely on acting.

Tue Minh believes that understanding the general culture, working culture and the artistic direction of the market also determines how to act, express emotions and portray one's character. "The most important thing is that the actor must understand the role, have thorough research, dig deep inside, from his own inner self, and from there dig deep through the character, then no matter where you are, you will have the opportunity to develop your full potential," the actress added.

Rima Thanh Vy and Duy Khanh emphasize professionalism and initiative when participating in an international project. Tue Minh also noted that young Vietnamese actors need to promote their personal image on popular social networking platforms. Through that, they can connect with international filmmakers and at the same time, it is a place for the world to know them, easily learn about them, and from there, have appropriate considerations and choices. (continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dien-vien-viet-dong-phim-quoc-te-nhieu-co-hoi-day-thach-thuc-185241006193959925.htm