Khanh plays the lead role of Thuong, the older sister of Luc (Thuan Nguyen), in the film directed by Vu Thanh Vinh. Born into a family with a traditional incense-making business, Thuong becomes the sole provider for her younger brother after a life-altering event. As she grows older and achieves success, she expects her brother to follow in her footsteps. Her controlling nature leads to conflict between them, eventually escalating into life-or-death situations.

Khanh described one of the film's most challenging scenes, where the characters struggle underwater. Nguyen, in a wheelchair, is tied up. It took the crew over two days of filming in two different pools to capture all the necessary angles. Prior to filming, both actors underwent training with a specialist under the director's instruction to perform their own stunts.

Khanh had to overcome her fear of water to film in the 2.5-meter-deep pool. Initially, her anxiety prevented her from diving to the bottom, even with breathing apparatus. "Gradually, I overcame the pressure thanks to my husband's encouragement. I had to hold his hand and lean on him to find the courage to complete the scene," she said.

Vu Thanh Vinh continues to explore his strength in family dramas. Unlike "Hai Muoi", which focused on the father-son relationship, this new script delves into the fractured bond between siblings as they mature. One of the film's lines is, "Do we only love each other when we're young?" The film also stars Ta Minh Tam, Hoai Linh, Hanh Thuy, Dinh Y Nhung, and Thanh Thuc, and is slated for an October release.

Le Khanh and Thuan Nguyen exhausted after 20 hours of underwater filming. Photo: Nguyen Cam

Le Khanh, 44, is renowned for her work in theater, film, and as an MC. Her filmography includes "Co Dau Dai Chien", "Huong Nghiep", "Mui Ngo Gai", "Cuoc Chien Hoa Hong", "Du Gio Co Thoi", and "Doc Than Tuoi 30". On stage, she has made her mark in numerous productions at Idecaf and Thien Dang.

Khanh and actor Tuan Khai began dating while studying together at the Ho Chi Minh City College of Theater and Cinema. Although they were classmates, Tuan Khai was the youngest student, while Le Khanh, having started a year later, was three years his senior. They married in late 2014 after 12 years of dating. In October 2018, they welcomed their first son, Tuan Khang. Their second son, Tuan Kha, was born in late 2021.

Director Vu Thanh Vinh, 49, graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City College of Theater and Cinema's cinematography program in 1996 and its film directing program in 1999. He also earned a bachelor's degree in international studies from Hanoi National University of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2002. He won the Mai Vang award in 2013, five gold medals at national television festivals, and was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2016. He is the producer of programs like "Solo Cung Bolero", "Cuoi Xuyen Viet", and "Guong Mat Dien Anh". Last year, his film "Hai Muoi", starring Quyen Linh, grossed over 40 billion VND.

Mai Nhat