The 3 most important things in the life of People's Artist Tra Giang

People's Artist Tra Giang, born in 1942, is one of the icons of Vietnamese revolutionary cinema. She belonged to the first generation of students at the Vietnam Cinema University (later the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema).

Illustrious film career

The first film Tra Giang participated in was One Early Autumn Day in 1961. In 1962, the actress played Tu Hau in the film of the same name, bringing her the Silver Medal at the Moscow International Film Festival, Russia.

A series of films that followed left Tra Giang's mark such as:17th parallel day and night("Best Actress" award at Moscow International Film Festival),Battle Song, Hanoi Baby, Saint's Day...She is also the first actress to be awarded the title of People's Artist by the State and honored by the Vietnam Cinema Association with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tra Giang is one of the actresses who has made great contributions to the country's cinema. She tried to overcome difficulties, made films during difficult times and then gradually became a bright star from the 1960s to the late 1980s. After the workWhite Flower River(1989), she officially left the screen.

Tra Giang said she waited for a suitable role but none came. In the early 1990s, the country entered a market economy period, and a series of "instant noodle" films were released. She felt that this type of film was not suitable for her, so she decided to retire.

After leaving acting, Tra Giang has always kept her passion for art alive. Over the years, she has often participated in film award ceremonies and film festivals. She sees this as an opportunity to connect with colleagues and younger generations in the profession, and at the same time "to ease her longing for the profession".

Occasionally, the artist participates in sharing sessions, recalling memories of the profession. She also gives advice to the younger generation of actors when they have the opportunity to meet at events.

“To have good movies that last for generations, in addition to a good script, talent and dedication from the director, the actors need to have a process of training, practice and arduous experience to portray the character's charisma and personality.”she shared.

At the age of 82, the female artist lives alone in an apartment in Ho Chi Minh City. For many years, Tra Giang has put her dream of filmmaking behind her to pursue a new land – painting.

From her initial wandering thoughts, she now has hundreds of drawings of all genres, inspired by women, movies, and the lands she traveled to during her youth.

The artist jokingly said that she found painting as a hobby that saved her after leaving the cinema. Tra Giang does not dare to call herself a painter, but only considers herself an actress who paints. However, to date she has many proud achievements through 10 group exhibitions and 4 solo exhibitions.

Living alone, peaceful old age

For Tra Giang, the three most important things in her life are acting, her husband, and her daughter. She considers herself lucky because her life is smooth, she has a fulfilling career, and a happy family.

Her husband was music professor Nguyen Bich Ngoc. They married in 1967, and later she and her husband moved to Ho Chi Minh City to live together until Mr. Ngoc passed away in 1999.

Her husband passed away, she felt lost and helpless because she felt like she had lost a support system. There was a time when she faced loneliness day after day with no way out.

Over time, the artist learned to accept sadness and stand up after falling down several times. She believed that no matter what life was like, one had to be content. Because if one kept regretting and burying oneself in the past, one would only make oneself suffer.

People's Artist Tra Giang and her husband have a daughter, pianist Bich Tra. At the age of 14, Bich Tra went to Russia to study and is now a famous pianist abroad.

Every 1-2 months, Bich Tra returns home to work and visit her mother. Being far away from home, her daughter feels somewhat reassured when she sees her parents happy and healthy.

"The family of People's Artist Tra Giang is a typical artist family in Vietnam, in which all family members dedicate their lives to art. Tra Giang and her husband have raised their children to be talented and I think that in all sacrifices, the sacrifice for family happiness, including the sacrifice of love, is perhaps the biggest and most difficult sacrifice that not every mother can overcome.", poet Duong Ky Anh once commented.

Summing up her life of more than 80 years, Tra Giang used the two words "satisfied". Because she looks at life and people through optimistic eyes, the artist sees her life now as peaceful and happy.

She thinks positively, finding joy in every moment of everyday life. Artists do not worry about what will happen when they die. For her, life is a countdown, so she just focuses on today, not thinking about the future.

“Each person has their own destiny, they cannot choose. We should be positive, create joy and happiness from simple things.”, contemplative artist.