There has been an ongoing discussion within the Vietnamese film industry as to why the South seems to produce so many more prestigious film stars than the North.
Although a large portion of the most renowned awards in Vietnamese cinema were once given to films that were created in the North, the South has been setting the precedent in recent years, with en vogue filmmakers such as Nguyen Quang Dung, Vu Ngoc Dang and Charlie Nguyen.
Audiences and the media have become fascinated with new stars, such as the "million-dollar actor", Thai Hoa and the multi-talented actress Ngo Thanh Van. Meanwhile potential young actors and actresses from the North have somewhat fallen from the public eye. There is attention paid to the lives and careers of these fallen stars, and also a lack of projects to participate in. Northern producers have even started to look to the South for talent.
Actor Thai Hoa
Southern actress, Hong Anh, a favourite among Hanoian directors
Much of this may be due to the adaptability of southern actors in terms of public relations. While northern actors deem it more respectable to stay out of the public light, actors and actresses like Ngo Thanh Van, not only star in a variety of movie projects, but also actively promote themselves with frequent appearances on the big and the small screen.
Director Nguyen Huu Phan, said, "There's a vast different between the northern and southern entertainment industry. Directors in the north often think about their work as deeper and more meaningful, while southern produces focus on lighter subjects. But in reality, the industry is much more developed in the South."
Phan added that there have been some overseas Vietnamese directors, such as Charlie Nguyen and Victor Vu who have helped bring more attention to the cinema scene in Vietnam and professionalise the industry in the South.
Directors in the South are trying to find new ways to improve but it seems like directors in the north are still waiting for state subsidies. "It's more active in the South. When Tran Anh Hung and Tony Bui returned to Vietnam, many directors were willing to work for free on their projects to learn. This would not happen in the North. Even the comedy movies of Charlie Nguyen seem more professional," Phan said.
Well-known actress, Do Hai Yen, moved to the South
Many also say that the environment of the southern film industry is more competitive in HCM City, making those artists work hard to maintain their fame. For example, casting calls in HCM City are usually open and attended by well-known and hopeful actors, while their northern counterparts often wait to be invited onto a project.
On the other hand, according to director Charlie Nguyen, casting is a major problem in Vietnam. Many stars refuse to come to casting calls for fear that they would not be given the role.
He said, "A competitive environment can bring more opportunities. I think if northern artists want more success, they could come to the South like Linh Son or Quang Su did. They have just been cast in my new movie."
He went on to say that the current state of Vietnamese television is wanting, and that poorly-produced shows can even pose a threat to the actors involved. He said, "In theory, cinema and television are totally different. Normally, films made for television require more dramatic acting."
