To embody her character, Luu Tuyet Hoa underwent a three-hour daily makeup transformation into a woman nearing 90. Makeup artists darkened and weathered her skin, adding wrinkles to her neck, face, and limbs. She also wore dentures and a gray wig.
Directed by Ma Lam, the film follows Huang Vinh Phat (played by Huang Bo), a once-successful city dweller who returns to his rural hometown to recuperate from an illness. In the village, he interacts with Hoang Hoc De (Luu Tuyet Hoa), an elderly woman with peculiar habits and actions; Hoang Vien Dat, his mischievous and disrespectful son; and Tran Le Tran, his wife, who isn't afraid to resort to physical altercations during marital disputes.
 |
Luu Tuyet Hoa plays an elderly woman in the countryside. Photo: Mtime |
Actress An Dao, who plays Huang Vinh Phat's wife, was startled when she first saw Luu Tuyet Hoa's appearance. Luu Tuyet Hoa herself admitted to not recognizing herself in the film. "This might be the only time I have the opportunity to try such a look," she said.
A video introducing Luu Tuyet Hoa's role garnered tens of thousands of comments on Douyin. Most viewers commented that, without reading the captions, they wouldn't have known the elderly woman was played by her.
 |
Hoang Hoc De's appearance. Photo: Mtime |
Luu Tuyet Hoa, 66, has had a 47-year acting career, notably in adaptations of Quynh Dao's novels, such as "Dong song ly biet", "Ky do tich duong hong", "Ben dong nuoc", "Nguoi vo cam", and "Xom vang". She also appeared in "Bao Thanh Thien 1993", "Bach phat ma nu truyen", "Duong Qua va Tieu Long Nu", "Thieu nu Tu Hy", and "Tieu ngao giang ho 1985". In recent years, she has taken on supporting roles in productions like "Em la dinh menh doi anh", "Chung cuc but ky", and "Phi ho ngoai truyen".
The actress was married to Taiwanese screenwriter Dang Duc Con for 12 years. In 2011, Dang passed away at home after a fall from a high floor. Since then, Luu Tuyet Hoa has lived alone in Shanghai, China. On Bilibili, the actress shared that she's accustomed to living alone and fears nothing except the possibility of an accident or fall going unnoticed. Luu Tuyet Hoa plans to move into a retirement home for medical security. She admits to a monotonous lifestyle, resistant to change. She dislikes going out and struggles with modern technology. She employs a housekeeper for regular cleaning and has a private driver for long-distance travel. Her daily routine involves walking her dog, watching TV, and calling her sister. With two TVs in her living room and bedroom, she keeps them on 24/7, even while sleeping.
Nhu Anh (according to Mtime, Bilibili)
