Meritorious Artist Chi Trung reveals for the first time his life after retirement

After 4 years of absence, Meritorious Artist Chi Trung returns to the screen with the role of Mr. Phuc in the movieIn-laws in a narrow alleydirected by Trinh Le Phong.

On this occasion, he shared his first thoughts about his role and life after retirement.

Meritorious Artist Chi Trung at the press conference to launch the film "Narrow Alley In-Law" (Photo: VFC).

First time breaking the "curse" of acting in a movie

After 4 years, Meritorious Artist Chi Trung has just returned to acting with the role of Mr. Phuc in "Narrow Alley In-Law". Why did he stay hidden for so long?

- Because no one invited me to act in a movie. I have a "curse" in my heart that I will never go filming more than 30km out of Hanoi and not stay overnight. That was when I was still "expensive". Everyone knew that so no one invited me (laughs).

Of course there were some small invitations but I was too shy to go far, and moreover, I didn't feel interested enough to want to participate.

However, I was somehow tricked by director Trinh Le Phong into filming 132km away, all the way to Xuan Son National Park. Knowing I was tricked, I still felt happy to be able to act again, partly because I was retired now, and partly because I admired director Trinh Le Phong’s talent and got to work with familiar, likeable colleagues… that was enough to satisfy me.

In the film, you play the in-laws of People's Artist Trong Trinh - an artist who has never acted in comedy before. How did you feel? Did you encounter many difficulties?

- When I was filming with Trinh, I was so engrossed in watching his comedy that I forgot how to act. Honestly, the director was a bit worried at first, but we got along very well.

I have acted in many films with Quang Thang and Van Dung. As for Trinh and I, we are two opposite actors, with completely different qualities. Trinh has to try to act funny, I have to try to act tragic, that's what makes it interesting.

We ate and slept in the same room for months. I found out that Trinh had trouble sleeping. I was old and he was even older. Every night he couldn't sleep until almost dawn. I felt really sorry for him.

What do you like and appreciate most about this role?

- Honestly, I didn't read the script to choose the role so it's hard to say what I like about this role. I really believe in and admire Trinh Le Phong's talent, since he chose me, I can rest assured to do and act. Up to now, I feel very secure and I think, when the film is broadcast, the audience will be excited and enjoy watching.

People's Artist Trong Trinh (Mr. Khoi) and Meritorious Artist Chi Trung (Mr. Phuc) play in-laws in the film (Photo: VFC).

"Retired, I rush to travel, play sports and enjoy…"

The audience is very curious about what Meritorious Artist Chi Trung's life will be like after retirement?

- My life since retirement can be said to be very enjoyable. I feel that life is more fulfilling, seeing green leaves around, the sky and the sea are also blue. Before, I couldn't see anything but the color of money (laughs).

Just kidding… but really, before that, I was the Head of the Troupe and then in charge of the Youth Theater. The stage was very hard, always working from 6am to 11:30pm. I went to all 63 provinces and cities in the country but never knew the difference in color between the sea and the sky. I only saw ticket sellers and bought tickets.

Now is the time for me to feel life and discover that the person I forgot in my life is myself.

So as soon as I retired, I rushed to go out, travel and enjoy myself. I also threw away all my old clothes to have them tailored, bought all new clothes, exercised and my body became more beautiful.

Retiring, I feel peaceful and comfortable because I am no longer bound or bothered by anything. I have done everything I could, but because I am gone, the Theater will not lose a great senior like someone said. Our Theater is very hard-working, but the Youth Theater has a tradition, many generations have built a very good apparatus.

He is also younger, more handsome, maybe... because of love?

- It's true that being this young is also thanks to love: love people, love life. Love makes everyone younger.(laugh).

For Meritorious Artist Chi Trung, is middle-aged love different from when he was young?

- As you can see, we travel and are normal like any other couple.(laugh).

After retiring, Meritorious Artist Chi Trung shared that he has more time for himself, traveling and enjoying life (Photo: Facebook character).

The audience is still familiar with the humorous and witty image of Meritorious Artist Chi Trung on stage and in his roles. So in real life, when he is sad and upset, where does he hide it and who does he share it with?

- There are sorrows that no one knows and you just want to keep to yourself. In life, everyone has times of sadness and happiness. I have experienced the lowest moments and I have also enjoyed the highest moments, so there is nothing to regret or feel sorry about.

Now I realize that I am the most important: Take care of my health, eat what I like, go where I want and spend my clean money… That's enough fun.

Retired but your income must be good enough to travel around?

- Honestly, my brand and personal image are still good, I often get invited to advertise but I just keep it quiet and secret. My income is generally very good.

"I'm taking the initiative to go to a nursing home... but slowly"

You once shared that when you are old, you will live in a nursing home. In old age, people usually want to be with their children and grandchildren instead of being lonely in a place that is not home?

- If you watch many Japanese movies, you will see that Nursing Homes are a growing trend of modern life. I will also reveal a little bit, in the near future, director Trinh Le Phong will make a movie about Nursing Homes and I also asked him to play a role in this movie.

I am an independent person in my thinking, thoughts and life, when I was young and until I am old I am still the same.

I can't take care of my parents much so I don't expect or demand that my children take care of them in return. To tell the truth, when you have money, you can hire the whole world to take care of you, but when you don't have money, the whole world can turn its back on you, including your children, so it's best to be independent.

Nursing homes are good too! Distance makes people feel loved, we should also have a certain distance because children have their own hardships, I think that is a civilized way of life and everyone should think like that.

Of course, voluntarily entering a nursing home so that you can have money and do whatever you want there is different from being "pushed" into a nursing home. I actively entered and actively left, but saying is one thing, going in or not is another. Do you think entering a nursing home is easy? It's very expensive! In general, I actively entered the nursing home but slowly (laughs).

"I am an independent person... I cannot take care of my parents much, so I do not expect or demand that my children take care of me in return," Meritorious Artist Chi Trung confided (Photo: Character's Facebook).

Do you have any plans for the near future?

- I will proactively call directors more, to be invited to act in more movies.(laugh).

Having devoted more than 45 years to theater and art, but it was only after retirement that you were proposed to be awarded the title of People's Artist. Are you still "keen" on that title?

- Saying "salty" is a bit too much, but if you like it, everyone likes it. But if you like it but have to struggle and exceed your ability, it's not my style. Whatever comes, comes. I've been a Meritorious Artist for 30 years.

Every time I apply, I make a profile, it’s like chasing a beautiful woman for a long time but if I can’t get it, the feelings will fade. But it’s all up to me. During the Meritorious Artist title review, I had 5 Gold medals, 7 Silver medals, when I was awarded the People’s Artist title, I was already old, and also a manager… how could I compete for the roles of young actors, my own roles, I even gave them to the contestants.

That's my choice, so what else can I ask for? If I just keep taking roles and acting, getting 2 or 3 medals isn't difficult, but I don't do that.

Is Meritorious Artist Chi Trung an idealist?

- Know that there is another world but don't be too dependent on it.

Thanks for sharing!