Meritorious Artist Le Vy and the secret behind the role of a lifetime
Behind the memorable role of Meritorious Artist Le Vy is a secret that few people expected – something that moved both the director and the film crew for many years to come.
Launched in 1994,Anonymous eucalyptus treeis one of the outstanding works of the Vietnam war film genre in the post-renovation period.
Under the talented hands of the director duo Nguyen Thanh Van and Pham Nhue Giang, the film not only depicts the fierceness of the battlefield but also reveals the hidden, haunting corners of the rear - where there are no bombs falling or bullets exploding, but the losses, sacrifices, and loneliness still smolder.
The film tells the story of the special relationship between two lonely people in a northern village during the war against America: Mr. Bach Van - a widower, father of a martyr, and Ms. Binh - a woman whose husband went to fight far away and died.
They met, sympathized with each other in loneliness, torment and finally decided to "cross the fence", despite the skeptical eyes and curtains from the village. They were like "eucalyptus trees" - living in arid places, few people noticed, but persistent, strong and silently devoted to the country.
The memorable behind-the-scenes story of the film was shared by People's Artist Nguyen Thanh Van herself at the program.Cine7 – Memories of Vietnamese cinemaThat was Le Vy who was pregnant at that time but still determined to follow the film crew to the end. Even though her belly was getting bigger and bigger, she did not refuse any scene, including carrying soil and doing heavy labor on the dike.
Even when the film crew did not know that artist Le Vy was pregnant, there was a scene where she had to carry heavy soil, the director suggested a stunt double but she refused and wanted to do that scene herself. The film crew chose the camera angle and skillfully set up the scene to hide her pregnant belly. When recalling that memory, director Nguyen Thanh Van was emotional.
Meritorious Artist Le Vy's dedication was well rewarded. The role of Binh - a strong, individualistic rural woman who dares to love and overcome social prejudices - helped her reach the pinnacle of her career. If inFairy tales for 17 year olds,Le Vy has only stopped at the potential level, then atAnonymous eucalyptus tree, she really "transformed", touched the depth of emotions, acted maturely and convincingly.
The character Binh is not only a symbol of resilient women in wartime, but also represents a silent but fierce resistance against social prejudice. The couple Binh - Van (played by Meritorious Artist Hong Son) creates a rare love story on the Vietnamese screen: genuine, full of resentment and full of humanity.
Anonymous eucalyptus treewon many prestigious awards: Silver Lotus at the 11th Vietnam Film Festival (1996), Best Actress for Le Vy, Best Cinematography for Nguyen Duc Viet, Best Music for musician Pho Duc Phuong, B Prize of the Vietnam Cinema Association (1995), Bronze Torch Award at the Pyongyang International Film Festival (1996),
Director, People's Artist Nguyen Thanh Van shared that the image of the eucalyptus tree is similar to the lives depicted in the film. Eucalyptus can live in the driest, most rocky places - places where other trees cannot live; few people pay attention to the eucalyptus tree, it is hidden somewhere in this life.
That image is a metaphor for the people who contributed to the war, they were quiet and silent, not honored as heroes. They were hidden, they were nameless, but they were indispensable in the war to repel the invaders.
Fates like Mr. Bach Van or Ms. Binh were numerous in the rural society of the North during the war. The fate of women in the rear, men whose children went to the battlefield and sacrificed. People who silently contributed. Nearly three decades have passed,Anonymous eucalyptus treeStill one of the most special films of Vietnamese cinema.
