Huong Dung 'Running the Case' receives People's Artist title at age 68, reveals reason for rarely acting in movies

Actress Huong Dung, born in 1956, is a familiar face on stage and television. The actress is especially famous for playing the role of Cao Thanh Lam's mother (played by Viet Anh) in the seriesRun the sentence.Huong Dung appeared in many famous TV series such as:Provincial President, Rainbow of Love, The Judge…mostly sharp female characters.

In the field of theater, Huong Dung won the Gold Medal at the National Theater Festival in 1985 and was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2010. She is one of 77 people awarded the title of People's Artist in 2023. On the morning of March 6 at the Hanoi Opera House, Huong Dung wore the uniform of the People's Public Security force to receive the title of People's Artist and gave a quick interview to the press.

This joy Huong Dung wants to give to her mother

- How do you feel when receiving the title of People's Artist this time?

Huong Dung was very happy and moved to stand on the stage of the Opera House to receive the noble title of People's Artist. What is special here is that the title of People's Artist is reserved for the armed forces, and in this case, the police. The characteristics of artists in the police force are also very different from those of other groups. In addition to serving the public in general, the people, we also serve the police force specifically, from prisons to mountains and islands - places that require many challenges and enthusiasm from artists. Therefore, this title for artists, and especially in the police force, is extremely noble and artists like Huong Dung highly respect it.

Not everyone has the chance and luck to receive this title, so today Huong Dung is really emotional, feeling as nervous as the first time going to school even though she is 68 years old this year. It is like every time I step onto the stage to perform, the excitement and tears have started in the wings even though I still play that character every night. The audience is different every night so the emotions are also different, the sublimation to convey the role's message to the audience is what makes me always think that today must be better than yesterday. That is what not only Huong Dung but all artists in the profession want to send to the audience.

Huong Dung would like to thank the leaders of the People's Police Theater, the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security, and the audience who have given Huong Dung wings to have today. Huong Dung also wants to give this joy to her mother. Huong Dung's mother passed away just 1 year ago and always wanted her daughter to be successful, even though Huong Dung played the roles, her mother still said:Don't act like this anymore because people used to say you were very gentle but now you only act like this.

What makes my mother sad and worried is her own success, so I hope that artists who are working in this profession will spread and do better in their aspirations to have the honor like Huong Dung and her colleagues today on the stage of the Opera House.

- Do you think if this title came earlier, you would have had more time to contribute?

Until the moment of death, artists can still work and contribute, so any title that comes at any time is a motivation for artists to excel and improve themselves, not because it comes too late and they no longer have the opportunity to spread. The audience can rest assured that true artists like Huong Dung will never forget what the audience has given to artists like her.

- Previously, you applied for the title of People's Artist several times but were not approved. Did you feel sad at times like that?

It's a bit sad because the contribution here does not depend on the medal but on the spread and recognition of the audience. But now we work according to the principle, leaning towards 'hardware' rather than 'software' so many artists are also disadvantaged. They do not have the chance to participate in the festival but have to participate in the festival to get the medal. Maybe next time we should also consider the angle of spreading to the audience in addition to getting the opinions of the people and colleagues, because waiting until the death to give posthumous awards is very painful.

Unlucky artists like Huong Dung were also rejected several times in the review process, but this time she was successful, so we can see that all dreams can come true if we don't give up.

- Do you regret any artists of your age and generation who did not receive this award?

For many reasons, my fellow performers were not able to participate in the festival to win medals. Some had medals but did not have enough or moved to other fields, so they felt regretful. Today, many people also wanted to come to congratulate me, but they were sad. They saw their friends succeed, so they were happy for them but felt regretful for themselves.

Like Ms. Kim Thoa, who retired from the People's Police Drama Troupe but transferred to another department of the same force. She also participated in many films but the facilities to create opportunities for them to make a profile are limited. Some friends outside perform very well but no governing agency takes them to festivals to perform and have the opportunity to receive medals as a basis for considering titles even though they are 60-70 years old.

Artists never get rich!

- Some young amateur actors also received titles. Compared to what you said, is that inappropriate?

If we consider the hardware criteria, they are qualified because the roles are recognized based on the criteria of how many years of work and how many medals they have won. All comparisons are lame, but this review is quite flexible when there are people who have retired but are known to the audience, even though they lack hardware, they are still recognized. Next time, we should do the same because the older people who are no longer in the troupe but still work outside should be evaluated so that the artists do not feel sorry for themselves.

- Recently the audience has not seen Huong Dung participate in TV dramas, I wonder why?

Firstly, I'm old. Secondly, if there's a suitable role, it's either too long or too short, it's difficult to keep going. So I only accept roles that are suitable for my abilities.

- The audience said that Huong Dung is now a tycoon so she doesn't need to act in movies anymore?

No! Artists are never rich, they are only rich in emotions, rich in the love that the audience has for the artist. Huong Dung longs to work, especially on stage, although acting in movies is also good.