Young appearances of three famous actors in the 1990s

Recently, the alumni of the First Course of the Stage Arts School 2 (now the University of Theatre and Cinema, Ho Chi Minh City) had a cozy reunion after 30 years of graduation. In addition to the lively stories and happy memories of their time studying and working in the arts, the famous artists of the 1990s also sadly mentioned their friends who had passed away and could not reunite with their friends and colleagues at this time. They were the three late actors Le Cong Tuan Anh, Don Duong and Nguyen Huynh.

Director and photographer Doan Minh Tuan still keeps the photos of Le Cong Tuan Anh, Don Duong, and Nguyen Huynh that he took with a film camera nearly three decades ago. On this occasion, he shared the old photos with readers and together with some artists, reminisced about the three talented but ill-fated actors.

Le Cong Tuan Anh with his gentle, scholarly appearance, reminiscent of the role of Quang 'Don Quixote' in the movie 'The Bitter Taste of Love'.

Director and photographer Doan Minh Tuan said: 'Le Cong Tuan Anh lives wholeheartedly, ready to sacrifice himself for his friends. He always takes care of and worries about his friends like his own family. Le Cong is very emotional and sincere, so he is always loved and respected by everyone. However, he still feels lonely. Once when I was filming with Le Cong in Da Lat, I noticed that after a happy dinner with everyone, Le Cong sat alone and cried. Normally he looks very happy, but deep down, it seems like he always has a feeling of loneliness, unable to escape'.

Le Cong Tuan Anh during a music video shoot for Tre Film Studio, with actress Dieu Ai.

Actor Cao Viet Hung - former student of Course One, Stage Arts School 2, in the same class as Mong Van, Diem Huong, Ly Hung..., recalled: 'Le Cong Tuan Anh was not in the same class but was very close to us. We called him Le Cong for intimacy and to distinguish him from Le Tuan Anh in my class. I once acted in the movie 'The Bitter Taste of Love' by director Xuan Hoang with Le Cong. At that time, Le Cong, from a student of the Kim Cuong Drama Troupe, entered the film industry gently and naturally. He was not too tall but had a handsome, gentle square face, deep eyes that were always moist, captivating many female audiences at that time. He was very talented, acted in many movies both in the South and the North, and acted with famous female stars at that time. Le Cong was truly the type of person 'even though he was not tall, everyone had to look up to him'. Even when he was famous, Le Cong was still very simple and sociable. Anyone who met Le Cong once will not be able to forget his deep voice.

The opening of the movie 'The Bitter Taste of Love' is the sound of an ambulance siren, and a few years later we were also shocked to take our friend away in an ambulance with the same heart-rending siren. After 30 years of reunion, the memories we have of Le Cong are of a beautiful friendship and the pain and bitterness in our hearts.

Le Cong Tuan Anh (wearing glasses) with friends like Doan Minh Tuan, Miss Thanh Xuan, Huu Nghia...

In the memory of director Doan Minh Tuan, the late actorDon Duongis a cheerful, gallant man. 'He is our senior generation. It is hard to find a replacement for the male lead on screen like him. The characters he has played are always very masculine, very modern and mixed with a romantic touch'.

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Hiep, who acted in the movie 'Dau an cua de' with Don Duong, said: 'Acting with Don Duong, I felt he was very close, natural and genuine. Besides 'Dau an cua de', I also acted in the movie 'Giua dong' with him. The two of us worked well together. He is a great person who juggles emotions with his co-stars, it is very difficult to find someone like him. He makes the character come to life, not like an actor acting'.

Don Duong looks dusty and weathered in a photo taken by Doan Minh Tuan three decades ago.

'The main actor of the movie "The Devil's Mark" is now just me... Le Cung Bac and Don Duong have both passed away. Now if I want to visit them, I have to go to the church, where their ashes are kept, so I can talk and confide in them...', Ngoc Hiep said.

Late actorNguyen Huynhwas a classmate, active at the same time as Ly Hung, Le Cong Tuan Anh, Diem Huong, Mong Van, Le Tuan Anh...

He has acted in more than 30 films such as: 'Love of a Snake', 'Do You Still Remember or Have You Forgotten', 'Darkness of Love', 'Taxi Driver', 'Stubborn Student', 'Farewell to the Past', 'Aspiring Shore', 'Sunset Train', 'Bone of Blessings', 'Tea Rose'...

In the eyes of his friends, Nguyen Huynh is a gentle, emotional person, always attentive, caring, listening, and giving in to everyone.

Actor Vo The Vy - Nguyen Huynh's classmate, recalled: 'Nguyen Huynh is very flirtatious and thoughtful. I have never seen him raise his voice or be harsh with anyone'.

Actor Cao Viet Hung said: 'Huynh was born into a poor family, no one worked in the arts, but Huynh was one of the male gods of my class at that time. He had an ideal height of 1.84 m, a gentle face, easily attracted people, the standard of a male lead. When I was in my third year of university, Nguyen Huynh and I acted together in the film 'Luc Van Tien, Kieu Nguyet Nga' directed by Khuong Mi. Huynh played the role of Vuong Tu Truc, Ly Hung played Luc Van Tien, Diem Huong was Kieu Nguyet Nga, Ngoc Hiep played Kim Lien, Mong Van played Buddha Quan Am and I played the role of a page boy. After that film, Huynh was continuously invited to play the main role in many other films.

Now when I think of him, I always think of a romantic, talented, gentle and emotional actor, devoted to his friends. Because he was an emotional person, later, when he entered life, Huynh encountered many pitfalls but could not overcome them. Our whole class cried, laughed and joined hands to help Huynh... But in the end, we could not hold Nguyen Huynh's hand to go to this day...'.

Nguyen Huynh (far left) takes a photo with Doan Minh Tuan, Ngoc Hiep, Minh Huyen, and The Phuong.