My family secretly pursued art, but passed… as valedictorian
Artist Mai Thanh Dung is a familiar face to Vietnamese audiences for nearly 50 years pursuing art, left a deep impression through her role as Mrs. Tu U in film Southern Land.
Few people know that Mai Thanh Dung comes from a family No civil servant pursues art. Even her grandmother tried her best to discourage her daughter from “falling” into a frivolous and tempting environment.
But because of her passion for female art, The “risky” soldier hid the National School entrance exam from his family Music and Saigon Drama (now Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music). “When my friends invited me to take the entrance exam to the Saigon National School of Music and Drama, I was very surprised, but I didn’t expect to pass the exam as valedictorian” Mai Thanh Dung said.
But to pursue her passion for art, the 16-year-old girl had to promise her family to successfully complete the cultural studies program. . That’s why Mai Thanh Dung studies day and night, not daring to have a moment of inattention.
The female artist said: “In the morning I study culture, in the afternoon I study at art school, and in the evening I study English on even days. I study math, physics and chemistry every night. Not only that, I still have to study until late at night. Thinking back, I don’t understand how I could be so resilient. Finally, I brought my baccalaureate degree home and “submitted” it to my mother rest assured.”
Artist Mai Thanh Dung said that every year she studied at the Saigon National School of Music and Drama, she won a scholarship. However, after graduating from school, there were not many acting opportunities, so she did not have the opportunity to shine.
“At that time, artists had few places to work, not as abundant as in the past. now. There are only famous theater troupes like Kim Cuong Tham Thuy Hang… but these places all have people and don’t need new people,” she said.
That’s why the 5X artist was interrupted. acting. Right when she was confused about the future, her next class at the Saigon National School of Music and Drama produced the play Hamlet for graduation. At that time, teacher Ha Bay once taught Mai Thanh Dung – told the students to make this play that they must invite Mai Thanh Dung to play the role of the queen.
“I acted in that play before, so the teachers know my abilities. At that time, I was free so I agreed to help my juniors. Thanks to that role, the teachers were impressed and wanted to keep me in school. So from then on I became a teaching assistant.
Next, I took additional classes in directing and then worked as a lecturer in theater voice until I retired,” said artist Mai Thanh Dung.
Teaches at Mai Thanh Dung school while acting in plays acted in films and became a familiar face to Vietnamese audiences. She left a lot of impression on the audience through the play Public Opinion and her role as Tu U in the TV series Land of the South.
In old age, many diseases can pass away at any time
Share with reporter Dan Tri artist Mai Thanh Dung said In addition to teaching at school, she also provides private tutoring for those who want to practice their voice, whether they are businessmen or beauty queens… The female artist stuck with this job until 2022, then stopped due to her health. not allowed.
Artist Mai Thanh Dung also said that at the age of 65, she has many diseases, especially 3 “death sentences” because her diseases are difficult to treat and can flare up. at any time.
She was diagnosed with papilledema since she was young. Even though I have been treated in many places and abroad for examination, everywhere people say that this disease without treatment can lead to blindness at any time.
The female artist said that when she was young, this information was like “God’s gift” to her, but even if she didn’t want to, she had to accept it. “I continue to use eye drops 3 times a day and luckily for decades I can still see light. Even now my eyes are a little blurry” she said.
2 “death sentence “What remains of Mai Thanh Dung is a terrible heart disease and spondylolisthesis that puts her at risk of paralysis. She said every disease is critical and requires major surgery. However, the female artist has diabetes, making it difficult to undergo surgical intervention.
In addition, Mai Thanh Dung has often suffered from bone and joint pain recently.
” At this age, it’s hard for me to cook a complete meal. Luckily, if I have someone to help me, I can’t handle it anymore. There are so many “death sentences” but there’s nothing to worry about, so I just live happily “I have many diseases in my body but I don’t often complain” the female artist confided.
In August 2022, Mai Thanh Dung’s husband – lecturer Ha Van Ngoc Suong – passed away, leaving her with a great loss. Before her husband passed away, Mai Thanh Dung’s life was very difficult because the couple’s small pension made it difficult to bear the medical costs.
“The most difficult thing is health. Yes. When I went to the hospital, my husband was in one area and I was in another. I had to run back and forth to take care of my husband. At that time, I had to manage medical expenses, so luckily the students wholeheartedly helped us. Now that difficult period is over,” she said.
Mai Thanh Dung said she doesn’t have too many things to worry about in life. She lives with her son and daughter-in-law, both of whom work as voice actors. Occasionally female artists participate in some the evententertainment. When she has time, she visits her daughter’s family who are residing in the US.
“Previously I went with my husband, now I go alone. Every time I go to America I stay for a few months with my children and grandchildren. I have the opportunity to meet teachers and colleagues from the past who now live there,” she shared.
Artist Mai Thanh Dung admitted that she rarely meets friends in the entertainment industry but only regularly chats with her students. The 5X artist can’t help but be proud when the people she once taught have now become veteran artists like Hong Van Quang Minh Hong Dao Huu Chau Huu Nghia Trung Dan…
Artist Mai Thanh Dung was born in 1958 and was valedictorian of the Saigon National School of Music and Drama ( now the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music).
Since 1980, Mai Thanh Dung began teaching the subject of theatrical voice at Ho Chi Minh City University of Theater and Cinema.
Besides that The female artist is also loved by the audience for her charming natural acting in movies and television. Among them, the role of Mrs. Tu U in the movie Southern Land was mentioned a lot by the audience.
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