
Actor Hoang Cong and his junior, Le Bong, at the movie press conference.
Among them, the reporter paid great attention to the actor Hoang Cong. Recently, he has frequently appeared on prime-time films as a police officer, to the extent that many viewers joke that Hoang Cong is about to “dethrone” actor Bao Anh to specialize in police roles in Vietnamese cinema.
Hoang Cong shared that he used to serve in the police force. He recounted: “After a period of about 2005-2007, I took a break from acting to focus on my work at the People’s Police Theater, so I’ve only recently returned to prime-time television.
Fortunately, I was invited by director Danh Dung and the colleagues at the Television Film Production Center (VFC) to take on roles in the armed forces, ranging from police to military characters. Since I am a police officer, receiving a salary, and being trained in a professional environment, interacting daily with the regulations and culture of the People’s Police Force; thus, I can portray police roles faster than my colleagues.”
He is often seen donning the police uniform on prime-time television.
Also at the press conference, Hoang Cong cheerfully recalled an old “slogan” associated with him: “a familiar face but no one knows his name.” The actor surprisingly revealed that, years ago, he was once interviewed by Ngoc Ha – the current wife of the People’s Artist Cong Ly. And Hoang Cong chose that remark as the title of the article.
He explained simply: “I have never considered myself a celebrity. A celebrity is someone who is recognized by face and name. Simply put, I’m just a familiar face whom people don’t know by name.”
Image of Hoang Cong in 2018, interviewed by Ngoc Ha, the current wife of People’s Artist Cong Ly.
Hoang Cong currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and is working at the People’s Police Theater. In the project Co Anh, Noi Ay Binh Yen, he plays the role of Tran Van Mao, a veteran police officer who wanted to retire due to his inability to adapt to the new environment. Later, with encouragement from Huy (Tuan Tu), Mao changed his mind and became more attached to his work. In addition to playing Mao, Hoang Cong also served as a technical advisor, ensuring the accuracy of each situation through his 24 years of experience in the force.
Hoang Cong as Mao in the new film.
The setting of the film Co Anh, Noi Ay Binh Yen takes place in Tien Phong, a peaceful rural area facing various challenges, including land disputes, mass fish deaths, public grievances, and internal conflicts within families. The main character, Huy, is a district-level police officer assigned to this commune to address these pressing issues and restore order.
However, as Huy delves deeper into the investigations, he uncovers complex links behind the events, revealing the manipulation of a local “interest group.” More surprisingly, the mastermind behind this scheme is none other than Huy’s brother-in-law, Bang (played by Vinh Xuong), a seemingly successful but scheming businessman.
WATCH: Trailer for the film Co Anh, Noi Ay Binh Yen.
Huy has to navigate between his family and the regulations he must abide by.
The director, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Danh Dung, shared that to avoid a monotonous and one-dimensional narrative, he chose to tell the story from different perspectives of life. The script intertwines “trivial” stories, such as a divorced couple still living together, a 14-year-old boy dropping out of school to join a gang due to a lack of family attention, or the land division among three brothers…
Additionally, Co Anh, Noi Ay Binh Yen also incorporates timely issues, such as the ongoing administrative unit mergers and the collection of public opinions on constitutional amendments. The film addresses hot topics like area management, VNeID application, and counterfeit goods prevention, but in a relatable and uncomplicated manner. “The overarching message is: Resolve conflicts early to prevent them from escalating. We want to tell a timely story in a relatable way, so viewers can appreciate the silent sacrifices behind every peaceful moment” – director Danh Dung confided.
The film incorporates everyday stories to offer viewers a realistic portrayal of the lives and work of commune-level police officers.
Tuan Tu shared that this is his first leading role in a political drama on VTV1 and also the most challenging character he has portrayed so far. He felt immense pressure, losing sleep and appetite for half a month.
“This role is completely different from my previous perceptions of commune-level police officers. Being a police officer is challenging, but being a commune-level police officer is even more so because they are the closest to the people, interacting with them daily, resolving issues, and enforcing the law in a way that is both rational and empathetic.”, he said.
Co Anh, Noi Ay Binh Yen airs at 9 PM from Monday to Friday on VTV1, starting July 29th.