At the premiere of the film Mesdames Thanh Sac on the afternoon of 26/5 in Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Hang stated that her character, Cam Thanh, is a distinct departure from the powerful, wealthy female roles she has typically portrayed. Cam Thanh begins as a sought-after dancer but soon faces tragedy, becoming a target for Madame Sac (Hong Anh), the owner of the Kim Do nightclub.

Thanh Hang discusses her reason for returning to the big screen after seven years in the role of a dancer. Video: Mai Nhat

Thanh Hang dedicated months to preparing for the role, including extensive dance training for various choreographed sequences. The actress faced physically demanding scenes, such as one where her character is tormented by a group of people and has her head held underwater in a fish tank.

Her biggest challenge was ensuring audiences would believe in and empathize with Cam Thanh's life story. Thanh Hang thoroughly researched the character to build a complex personality and tragic fate, particularly in the segment where Cam Thanh's beauty is ruined after a jealous attack, leading her to plot revenge.

When the film's teaser was released in early April, the main character's appearance sparked debate, with some viewers commenting that Thanh Hang seemed "too old to play a beautiful woman". The actress clarified that in that particular scene, the character wore heavy makeup in the 1960s stage style, which made her face appear older than her actual age.

Thanh Hang's appearance in the film "Mesdames Thanh Sac". Photo: Film crew provided

Director Thang Vu, who previously directed the film Cai Ma, noted that recreating the historical setting was one of the production's primary challenges. The film features many scenes depicting urban life in central Saigon during the 1960s. The film crew shot on location, then combined computer-generated imagery (CGI) and AI technology. For example, a scene set at the old Bach Dang wharf was filmed by the team in a park in old Binh Duong, with AI used for post-production. A representative from Live On, the production company behind the film Chi Dau, stated that the design and blueprint phase alone took over one year before filming began.

In addition to Hong Anh and Thanh Hang, Luong The Thanh plays the male lead, Ba Dung, Madame Sac's husband, who has a complicated relationship with Cam Thanh. Van Mai Huong appears in a supporting role as a popular singer. The film, a drama noir (a genre of suspenseful films popular in 1940s-1950s Hollywood), is set to be released in mid-June.

Teaser for the film "Mesdames Thanh Sac". Video: Film crew provided

Thanh Hang, 43 years old, hails from Da Nang. She won the title of Miss Vietnam Women Through Photos in 2002, subsequently embarking on a professional modeling career. For many years, she hosted Vietnam's Next Top Model and was a coach on The Face 2018. Beyond modeling, Thanh Hang has acted in films such as Nhung Co Gai Chan Dai, Tuyet Nhiet Doi, and My Nhan Ke. Her role in Nu Hon Than Chet (directed by Quang Dung) earned her the "Most Loved Film Actress 2008" award at Mai Vang.

She continued to make her mark in Quang Dung's other films, including Nhung Nu Hon Ruc Ro, My Nhan Ke, and Thang Nam Ruc Ro. In 2017, Thanh Hang starred in Me Chong, a film set in old Southern Vietnam by director Ly Minh Thang. In 2019, she co-starred with Chi Pu in the film Chi Chi Em Em. Besides acting, she also released the publication Me Chong, a novel based on the film. In 2023, she married conductor Tran Nhat Minh after a period of dating.

Mai Nhat