While filming the movie *Trai Buon Nguoi* (directed by Toni Bao Anh), the actress discussed her passion for acting and the support she receives from her husband, photographer Huu Bao.

When asked about how she got involved in the project, Nhu Quynh explained that after reading the script, she declined another film, which was shooting closer to her home in Hanoi, to film in the south. "This role is more unique than any I've played before – a mother who ventures into a criminal den to rescue her child," she said.

The character plays a pivotal role in the film. Nhu Quynh dedicated herself fully to the role, arriving in Ho Chi Minh City a month before filming began to train. She swam, ran, and worked on her endurance. "While I didn't have any direct action scenes, there were many sequences where my character was slapped and beaten, so I had to learn how to fall safely to avoid injuries," Nhu Quynh said, jokingly telling her family that this was the most physically demanding film she'd ever done.

Artist Nhu Quynh at the new film's opening ceremony on 22/9 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Chau

Nhu Quynh also shared how her husband cares for her when she's away filming. "Recently, when I first arrived in the south to train, I had an allergic reaction and was itching all over," she recounted. "When I returned to Hanoi, my husband was very worried when he saw the rash all over my limbs. He was afraid that it would persist and affect my concentration while filming, so he wanted to take me to the hospital." He was even more concerned because of the demanding nature of the role. Fortunately, she recovered just before filming began.

Reflecting on their 45 years together, Nhu Quynh observed, "When we were first in love, I felt I loved him more. But now that we're older, my husband is more attentive, always reminding me to take care of my health and asking about my filming schedule. He's still romantic, occasionally asking, 'Do you want anything to eat? I'll go out and buy it.'" She added with a laugh, "We consider arguing a form of happiness for older people. However, we rarely raise our voices. Life is slow and peaceful. Partly because we don't have the energy to argue like young people anymore."

Wedding photo of artist Nhu Quynh and photographer Huu Bao (born in 1952) in 1980. Photo: Provided by the subject

Regarding her husband's health after his cancer treatment, Nhu Quynh said, "Last month, my husband, myself, and our eldest daughter's family went on a trip to Da Nang, where he suddenly lost hearing in both ears. After returning to Hanoi, he gradually recovered and continues to wear hearing aids." She continued, "When I'm away, we have a housekeeper who takes care of him. Our youngest daughter and son-in-law also live in Hanoi and can help if needed. I'm less worried now because his health is quite stable, having overcome the most critical phase of his illness." She recalled the moment a few years ago when she and her eldest daughter took him to the hospital and received the lung cancer diagnosis. "When the interpreter relayed the French doctor's words, I only heard a few sentences before leaving the room. At that time, I was in turmoil but had to stay calm and tell myself not to cry." He underwent immediate surgery to remove a lobe of his left lung, followed by chemotherapy, which prevented metastasis. Fortunately, his check-ups every three months since then have shown stable results. He's eating and sleeping well, doesn't require a special diet, and occasionally takes the metro to visit his grandchildren.

Artist Nhu Quynh and her husband with their children. Photo: Provided by the subject

On the subject of aging and its impact on her acting, Nhu Quynh admitted, "It's difficult for me to learn scripts now. I have to ponder over each passage, stand up and rehearse, and think about how to perform before I can memorize it. On set, my concentration is further affected by the noise and surrounding commotion." Therefore, she forces herself to thoroughly understand the character's psychology and repeatedly practices her lines. "Every night before bed, I review the character's lines, rehearse again in the morning, and study them once more during lunch. My goal is that by the time we film, every line has sunk in and become second nature," she explained.

When asked what keeps her passion alive while many of her contemporaries have retired, she responded, "For me, acting is like satisfying an addiction. After filming some scenes in An Giang for the new movie, I flew back to Hanoi to film a short experimental film for three days, then returned to Ho Chi Minh City to continue filming." She recalled telling a director, "I shouldn't be running around like this at my age, but I love acting so much that I have to keep going." She has many roles she still wants to play, like a drug lord. "I like villainous characters with a story, whose essence is still good, but due to life's hardships, they're forced to do bad things," she said. She also confessed that sometimes, watching younger actors in romantic films makes her long to be young again to play such roles. Many people ask her about teaching acting, but she feels she doesn't have a knack for teaching; she can only share her experiences to inspire younger generations.

Artist Nhu Quynh, 71, is the daughter of two Cai Luong artists, Tieu Lang and Kim Xuan. As a child, her parents often took her to activities at the Hanoi Children's Palace, where she recorded some children's songs for the Voice of Vietnam radio station. In 1970, she graduated from the first Cai Luong class of the Hanoi Art School (now the Hanoi College of Arts) and worked at the Chuong Vang Cai Luong Troupe. Though trained in Cai Luong, she found her calling in film, becoming famous through works like *Bai Ca Ra Tran*, *Den Hen Lai Len*, *Ngay Le Thanh*, and *Moi Tinh Dau*. In recent years, she has played maternal roles in television series like *Dung Bat Em Phai Quen* and *Huong Vi Tinh Than*.

Mai Nhat