Artist Quyền Linh. Photo doisongphapluat.com.vn

Quyền Linh is well known as a popular MC for television shows and social events. After 20 years, he has gone back to film, winning best actor at the Việt Nam Cinematography Association Awards 2024 for his role in Vũ Thành Vinh's Hai Muối.

Phụ Nữ Hồ Chí Minh (HCM City Women) newspaper reporter Hoàng Linh Lan interviews Quyền Linh about the award and his career.

What prompted you to return to film after a 20-year hiatus? Could you tell us more about the role that earned you the award?

There are actually many reasons that motivated me to come back. In the past, I turned down big film projects because I couldn't find the time, as I was mostly focusing on charity activities and social programmes.

I refused filmmaker Vũ Thành Vinh several times. He is my classmate and is an enthusiastic and aspirational artist. The role of Hai Muối has many similarities to my life. He is a father with children who wants his children to get a good education.

Hai Muối is special role. At the director's request, I grew my beard and hair very long - something I never thought I would do. I also had to expose myself to the sun until my skin turned black, and my hair was so long that I could tie it. When I saw the image of the character on the screen, I was also surprised because I never thought I would have such a unique image.

You have filmed roles in which the characters have to work hard to earn their living. Why does the role of Hai Muối interest you?

In my opinion, each role has different characteristics, with a unique story and problems. Hai Muối is not easy, but it was also not a challenge for me because my life was more miserable than the character's.

I used to work as a farmer in a rice field, toiling for years. The only difference is that Hai Muối is a salt maker in a salt field.

There were times when I almost despaired in life. I intended to return to my rural home to work as a farmer because I was homeless, with no relatives, no one by my side and I was lost in the bustle of the city. But I thought about my family, my hardworking mother and my young brother dropping out of school so that I could study in the city. I was determined to get a better education not only for me but for my family.

I have suffered a lot, so I don't want my children to suffer like me. I hope they can enjoy their youth. I am ready to give my children everything I didn't have. I think, it's not just me, this is the wish of almost every parent in the world.

Could you tell us about filming after a long hiatus?

I didn't have to prepare too much. The film crew worked well and they made my appearance really suit the character. I got to meet the real Hai Muối, meeting salt makers in salt fields to understand their lives better.

I graduated from HCM College of Theatre and Cinema in acting and filmmaking. That was 30 years ago, so I decided not to use my acting skills, but to focus on emotion.

How did you become an MC?

I never thought I would become an MC. Our ancestors say that "one cannot choose their career path".

I was invited to host a show but I did not do well. It made me disappointed in myself. I was aware that I was not good at MCing. A long time later, director Xuân Cường asked me to host a television show supporting impoverished people. At first, I immediately refused, but Cường convinced me to try. I could not refuse because of his patience and his trust.

Unexpectedly, after I tried it, the show's professional advisory board and the director were satisfied and insisted on inviting me to be the host for the show.

Honestly, at that time I was extremely scared. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it, that I would ruin the show, so I thought about what I could do to compensate. I was afraid I would betray everyone's trust.

As an actor, I have a script, dialogues and co-performers. To host a show, there was only a draft script, and unexpected situations arose that forced me to improvise. So I refused the position.

However, my friends told me that the payment for a host was about VNĐ1 million (roughly US$50). It was higher than filming. At that time, I was in difficult situation, so I did it. I don't know when I became a host.

Have you been interested in any film project over the past few years, or were you too busy with hosting work and your business?

There were many interesting, even large-budget projects that invited me to work in both actor and director roles. However, I refused because I was 'addicted' to hosting at social events, even though over time I didn't earn much money. Sometimes I even spent my own money to support needy people.

My biggest wish is to be able to use my influence to connect more sponsors to help people with unfortunate fates and in unlucky situations.

It cannot be denied that you are a popular MC. Do you think you chose the right path in your career?

This is a very difficult question to answer because nothing is certain. Who knows, if I hadn't changed my job to become an MC, I would have had more roles that left an impression on film audiences.

If I didn't do cinema or work as an MC, I could still do theatre or step back as a director like many of my colleagues. What I want to say here is that there are always many paths. Which path you choose is up to you, but once you choose it, you must devote all your energy to it.

I chose to share my time and efforts with poor people, so I work hard and I am willing to ignore fame and million-dollar deals.

What does fame mean to you? Have you ever set a goal of maintaining your popularity?

That is never my goal. Gaining fame is something everyone in the entertainment industry wants, but no one knows when it will come and go.

I work with all my heart and passion. There is only enthusiasm and relentless effort every day. My only goal is to fulfill my role. Today can be better than yesterday.

Fame gives me a lot. It gives me influence and resonance in the hearts of the public, and I want to use that influence to connect sponsors with people who have no means or are in unfortunate situations. From this perspective, fame brings human value ​​to life, connecting and spreading love.

Thanks to my reputation, I can connect people with the same wish, give away hundreds of houses and help thousands of children with congenital heart disease become healthy. - VNS