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| Riding high: Quach Ngoc Ngoan, playing the role of King Ly Thai To, in the historical film Khat Vong Thang Long (Aspiration for Thang Long). | |
Ngoan has long nurtured the dream of becoming a movie star. His first break came when he was cast to star in Khat Vong Thang Long. Phuong Mai reports.
He had the looks, he had the desire, but did he have the talent?
This was a question that was asked not only by critics, but also his parents who did not think much of his ambition to become an actor.
Quach Ngoc Ngoan felt the pressure of scepticism and expectation at all times, but the doggedness of his pursuit has paid off.
He grabbed with both hands the opportunity to play the role of Vietnamese national hero, King Ly Thai To, even though the director himself expressed doubts about Ngoan's ability to play the role.
Ngoan decided to let his acting skills do the talking after he was chosen earlier this year from among 3,000 candidates casting for the leading role in the historical film Khat Vong Thang Long (Aspirations for Thang Long).
One of the movies made to celebrate 1,000 years of Thang Long – Ha Noi, the film depicts the life of King Ly Thai To, the first king of the Ly Dynasty.
The king took the important decision of moving Dai Viet (Viet Nam)'s capital from Hoa Lu (now in the northern province of Ninh Binh) to Thang Long (currently Ha Noi).
After he was selected for the role, Ngoan had to brave criticism from the film's director Luu Trong Ninh, but he repaid the producers' trust in him when the movie was released last month, his performance receiving acclaim from the director himself, the critics and the public.
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| A star is born: Quach Ngoc Ngoan's natural acting skills landed him the lead role in the historical movie Khat Vong Thang Long. Despite the scepticism of his parents and even the film's director, his performance was acclaimed by critics. — VNS File Photos | |
No encouragement
Ngoan was born to a farming family in the southernmost province of Ca Mau.
His love for acting was frowned upon by his parents who believed he would not have a bright future in this career.
After graduating from high school, Ngoan left his hometown for HCM City to pursue his dream of working in the movie industry. He took an examination to enter the HCM City Theatre and Movie College.
As a junior, he received his first supporting role in the HCM City Television Studios (TFS)' TV series Chuyen Tinh Cong Ty Quang Cao (Love Story in an Advertising Company).
In 2008, his friends encouraged him to take part in the Super Model contest organised by the City's Television (HTV).
Winning the silver prize in the contest pushed Ngoan into the limelight. Suddenly many people knew who he was.
When the Ky Nguyen Sang Company, producer of Khat Vong Thang Long, found him suitable to play Vietnamese hero Ly Cong Uan, many movie critics were unconvinced.
Their rejection placed greater pressure on an already nervous Ngoan, for it was no ordinary hero that the film featured.
King Ly Thai To was born Ly Cong Uan in 974 in the Co Phap Pagoda in the northern province of Bac Ninh. He was raised by Van Hanh, who was a respected monk in the Le Dynasty court in Hoa Lu.
Uan was invited to the palace by King Le Dai Hanh as a youth because of his talent in martial arts and soon became a high-ranking officer in the army.
In 1009, Uan ascended to the throne, beginning the era of the Ly Dynasty.
Eight months after he became the king, he issued the edict on Transfer of the Capital, moving it from Hoa Lu to Dai La and renaming it Thang Long (Rising Dragon).
Ngoan said it took him two months to prepare for the role, including researching and learning how to behave like a king who lived 1,000 years ago.
He also tried his best to practise martial art moves with overseas Vietnamese stuntman and actor Johnny Tri Nguyen to do action scenes.
Ngoan's efforts were praised by veteran director Ninh, who had at first complained to the producers that the young man was not suitable for the role.
Taking back his initial criticism, Ninh said Ngoan had played his role excellently.
"Although Ngoan does not have much experience in acting, he made the king come alive," said a movie fan in HCM City.
Before filming Khat Vong Thang Long, Ngoan was also chosen for the leading role in another historical movie, Long Thanh Cam Gia Ca (The Fate of Songstress in Thang Long), a work by director Dao Ba Son, which tells the life of the country's great poet Nguyen Du.
"After working with director Son, I was able to improve my acting skills and prepare well for future roles," Ngoan said.
More work ahead
Despite receiving praise for his role in Khat Vong Thang Long, Ngoan feels he has some way to go to become a professional actor.
The 24-year-old actor said he will return to the HCM City Theatre and Movie College for finishing his studies that he'd neglected for a long time in pursuing his career.
"I am working hard in order to be recognised as a true actor, not a model entering the movie industry," he said.
However, Ngoan also said he was not rejecting his modelling career because it had provided a springboard for him rise to fame in the entertainment industry.
Ngoan's new project is a 60-episode TV series, Vong Tron Cam Bay (The Circle of Trap), a production of FPT Media. He is also casting for three other film projects.
Ngoan has certainly arrived and made his mark in the entertainment industry.
He still has a long way to go to his destination, but going by the evidence so far, he is well set to face upcoming challenges. — VNS