Three days after his success at the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, the director discussed "Grandma's Gold," his upcoming film. Khuong Ngoc said creating the film was a way of self-reflection. "For a long time, I was indifferent to my family to focus on my career, like an inconsiderate person. I kept using work as an excuse for the many hours filmmaking took, so my phone calls to my mother gradually became less frequent," he said.

Director - actor Khuong Ngoc. Photo: Provided by the subject

Director - actor Khuong Ngoc. Photo: Provided by the subject

He considers his family his emotional support system, helping him overcome a career crisis. In his youth, he faced peer pressure, often comparing himself to colleagues who started at the same level but later surpassed him. These competitive thoughts held him back.

At that time, the director felt discouraged and apprehensive of crowds, so he occasionally returned to his home in Nha Trang. He learned to open up to his relatives, especially his mother. Every morning, he would wake up early, listen to the birds sing, read, watch his mother collect eggs from the coop, and eat the meals she cooked. Khuong Ngoc's positive energy was restored, gradually regaining his motivation for his craft.

The director is filming a new movie primarily to express gratitude to his mother. He chose the title "Grandma's Gold" to evoke a sense of simplicity and familiarity. "I was once my mother's 'gold.' Now, my daughter continues to be her precious asset," Khuong Ngoc said.

He incorporated many childhood memories of his mother and grandmother into the film. As a child, he was loved and protected by his grandmother, so he always considered her the "most powerful person in the house." This peaceful memory stayed with him throughout his adulthood. When making the film, the director wanted to portray a grandmother who was clumsy in expressing affection for her grandchild but silently sacrificed her time, energy, and joy.

Khuong Ngoc chose characteristic locations in Ho Chi Minh City to depict urban life, from narrow alleys and coffee carts to street vendors and arguments.

Poster of "Grandma's Gold" - Khuong Ngoc's third film project as a director. The film is scheduled to premiere on 20/10 - Vietnamese Women's Day. Photo: Provided by the film crew

Poster of "Grandma's Gold" - Khuong Ngoc's third film project as a director. The film is scheduled to premiere on 20/10 - Vietnamese Women's Day. Photo: Provided by the film crew

The director's real name is Huynh Quang Ngoc. The 41-year-old was born in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa. His family is not involved in the arts, but from a young age, he enjoyed participating in school's artistic activities. He studied at the College of Theater and Cinema (now the University of Theater and Cinema, Ho Chi Minh City) thanks to the encouragement of an acquaintance.

In his early days as a student, he sold lottery tickets, played badminton for the school team, and worked as a model to make ends meet. He was once a singer in the FBO band with Hoang Duy and Tan Khanh. After graduating with honors, he appeared in the television series "Wild Sunflower" (2007), becoming known for his role as Set - a gangster.

Khuong Ngoc played the role of Set in the television series "Wild Sunflower" (2007). Video: Provided by the film crew

He gained recognition with films like "Taxi," "The Guy Who Doesn't Know Jealousy," and "The Invisible Truth." Khuong Ngoc was invited by many directors to act in film projects such as "Thien Menh Anh Hung" (2012) and "Scandal" (2013). In 2018, he played the villain in the film "Serial Killer." Last year, "Sister-in-Law," a film he directed starring Viet Huong, Hong Dao, and Ngoc Trinh, surprisingly earned 113 billion VND.

Trailer of the film "Sister-in-Law." Video: Provided by the film crew

Mai Nhat