People's Artist Nhu Quynh reunites with her 'on-screen husband' after more than 50 years

Recently, two veteran actors of the classic film Saint's Day (1976) - artist Viet Lien and People's Artist Nhu Quynh - unexpectedly reunited after half a century in the program Cine7 - Memories of Vietnamese Films.

Accordingly, artist Viet Lien took a bus from Hai Phong to Hanoi, to the house of People's Artist Nhu Quynh in the old quarter to pick her up to the studio. The veteran actor could not hide his emotion: "It's been 50 years since my husband and I last saw each other, since 1975. Nhu Quynh still looks as beautiful as ever."

People's Artist Nhu Quynh immediately spoke up to "correct" her senior in a humorous way: "Since 1975, 1976".Artist Viet Lien quickly explained: "1976 is the movie that was shown, but it was filmed in 1975. How miserable! Why do we keep arguing with him? Well, anyway, at the end of our lives, we will be able to see each other, it's so precious."

People's Artist Nhu Quynh smiled and replied: "Thank you. I have a husband and a lover who we only see each other after 50 years. The other day, Mr. Vu Tu Lam (who played the lover of People's Artist Nhu Quynh in the movie 'Den Hen Lai Len') also said that it's been 50 years since we last saw each other."Artist Viet Lien could only exclaim:"That's so miserable, your fate is so miserable."

After humorous exchanges, artist Viet Lien presented People's Artist Nhu Quynh with a bouquet of pure white flowers and expressed:"Given to my wife on our 50th anniversary. I feel very happy."

Saint's Dayis a psychological romance film directed by Bach Diep in 1976, filmed in Hai Hau, Nam Dinh. The work was adapted from the novelSea storm(1969) by writer Chu Van, depicts the social life of a coastal Catholic village in the North in the early 60s of the 20th century.

The film deals with issues of the time such as building cooperatives, buying and selling in a market economy and distribution in a centrally planned economy.Saint's Dayalso impresses with many beautiful scenes of Vietnamese countryside, Catholic churches and traditional festivals.

At the program, artist Viet Lien could not hide his emotion when meeting his "on-screen wife" again after 5 decades:"I was very moved. It had been 50 years since I 'married' Nhu Quynh for the first time we had met. We filmed the movie 'Saint's Day' in August 1975 and in 1976 it was shown in theaters nationwide.

I was very surprised when I was invited to this program to meet my wife. I couldn't sleep all night, I was excited all night, I kept wondering how my wife was, if she was as beautiful as before. When I came here to meet my wife, I was surprised because my wife is still as beautiful as before."

On her part, People's Artist Nhu Quynh also exclaimed:"My life is so miserable, it's been 50 years since I've seen my lover or husband again. As soon as I was invited to this program, I immediately told the organizers to invite Viet Lien here because he's my husband. I'm very happy because it's been 50 years since I've seen my husband again."

Recalling the days of "fate" on screen, artist Viet Lien reminisced:"The day we got married in the movie, Ms. Ai (played by People's Artist Nhu Quynh) was only 20 years old, and Mr. Vuong (played by artist Viet Lien) was only 30 years old. Now we are both 70, 80 years old, but we still look very graceful and charming."

Share about the opportunity that brought you toSaint's Day,Artist Viet Lien tells an interesting story: "When director Bach Diep and his crew were looking for actors, they happened to visit my house at noon. At that time, I had just returned from the army and was completely unaware.

I remember helping my mother carry a bag of rice, then because of the heat, I took off my shirt, fanned myself with a fan, and asked my mother for a glass of water. It was those very ordinary images, especially the strong, tanned body of a soldier, that deeply impressed the director at first sight, even before she considered my acting ability."

It was at that time that he caught the eye of director Bach Diep and was chosen for the role of Anh Vuong, a gentle and simple coastal man who loved Ai with all his heart, even though social prejudice seemed to have prevented them from being together.

"Really, Lien then and now are not much different. The coastal boys are very handsome.", People's Artist Nhu Quynh gave many compliments to her co-star.

Artist Viet Lien admitted that when playing a secondary lead role, she also faced a lot of pressure: "Cinema doesn't need a lot of words, it's about effectiveness and emotion. Now, when we take on roles in movies or television, we only like roles with few words and a lot of acting.

Remembering the first scene with People's Artist Nhu Quynh, artist Viet Lien said:"The first scene we filmed was on the beach. At that time, I told Nhu Quynh that this was the first film I participated in, I had already acted in two films so I was my student.

Nhu Quynh told me, "Just live a very simple life for me, it will be more convincing." So we acted very naturally, chatting in the movie and feeling secure in the first scenes, even though it was the movie I was participating in."

Sharing about memorable memories with the film, People's Artist Nhu Quynh saidSaint's Dayis the third film in her career. "From a skinny, slender Hanoi girl, I was lucky to be trusted by director Bach Diep to play the role of a coastal girl. I was both happy and felt pressured.

To make the character Ai appear on screen as realistically as possible, the director asked me to 'padded my butt' because I was too skinny, not suitable for the image of a healthy coastal girl.

Director Diep also guided me on how to speak strongly and 'talk the wind and the waves' in the true coastal style. Even to complete a few seconds of filming the scene of working at sea, I had to ask for help from a local fisherman."

During 6 months living in Hai Hau, People's Artist Nhu Quynh excellently portrayed the image of Ai - a woman from the coastal region, who speaks the truth and has the character's unique personality, contributing to the success of the film. The change of the character Ai in the film represents the change of society with a better and better life.

Le Chi