Hoang Phuong, the rising star of Paris IFF Winner ‘Invisible Love’

Today at the Paris International Film Festival, we have received Hoang Phuong, the star of ‘Invisible Love’. The film directed by Guo Xiang was presented at the Festival last month for its World Premiere, where it received incredible critical acclaim and picked up 3 major awards at the Festival, including Best International Actor (non-gender specific) for Hoang Phuong’s performance, Best International Collaboration and Best Feature Film.

The production Team reunites Vietnam-based Almira Luong, USA-based Nancy Hanzhang Shen and Bill Einreinhofer. ‘Invisible Love’ also stars Kazy Tauginas, now in ‘The Equalizer’ on CBS. The Vietnamese 25-year-old actor has impressed the Festival by her incredible, natural performance as Nurse Nguyen Thi Hoa, as we see her going through different stages of her Life in 20s-30s French Indochine.

Directed by Guo Xiang, INVISIBLE LOVE is set in 1930’s French Indochina is the tale of Nurse Nguyen Thi Hoa (Hoang Phuong) who loves American physician James Marquis (Kazy Tauginas), but is also oblivious to the shame she feels and thus cannot stay with him. In addition, Marquis sees an opportunity to become a colonial army soldier, but this is also going to have an impact on his relationship with Thi Hoa…..

Jenna Suru : Bonjour Hoang! In ‘Invisible Love’, the period drama directed by Guo Xiang, your character is a nurse living in 30s French Indochine. Your performance in the film is very impressive. How did the casting process take place and how did you feel when you heard you were confirmed for the role?

Hoang Phuong : When I learned that the film crew came to Vietnam to cast the actor for the movie, I was very hopeful and tried my best. Luckily for me, my performance matches with the movie and I was chosen. I was very happy about that.

JS: Your character in the film experiences different love stories along the years. How did you work on the relationships your character develops in the film with the Director and cast prior and during filming?

HP: The filming of Invisible Love only lasts about 1 month. The period of filming with the role had many different relationships forced me to adapt quickly and quickly get used to the positions required by the director with the character. I almost always lived with each of the emotions of each character during the filming process.

JS : When did you decide you wanted to become an actor and who were your inspirations to pursue acting?

HP: Coming to acting is both a predestined relationship and an effort of myself. I don't have an idol, every actor who has been successful in the first place is my goal. My family is the inspiration for me to strive and work tirelessly while filming.

JS : You have received the Best International Actor Award at the Paris International Film Festival for your performance in the film. This is very impressive for your debut. How are you seeing your career in the coming years?

HP: I am very happy to win that award. However, I do not dream and in the time to come I still have to put in a lot of effort.

JS : Invisible Love received the Best International Collaboration award at the Paris International Film Festival. What were the main challenges of acting with an international cast and working on a sino-american-vietnamese production?

HP: When making this movie, the problem I encountered was language. Since the character has to speak many different languages ​​to the actors, I also stopped reading the script and studying English and Chinese during filming.

JS : What influence French or international cinema has on your career and work? Do you think international collaborations or acting on international productions have a positive impact and bring communities together?

HP: Surely French and International Cinema have many valuable things that I need to learn. Many big stars have succeeded in France, making a big splash, in addition international cinema also offers many opportunities for all capable people. The international integration to create successful film productions is a broad portal that connects communities and inspires cinema across countries and provides opportunities for actors like me.

JS : You have been doing many impressive interviews with top media, following up your award at the Paris International Film Festival. How does it feel and what would you like your audience to remember or take away from your character?

HP: What I want to remember most is that even though I act according to the position of the character, I always show a part of my personality and interiority in it. Furthermore, we hope that the audience will always remember Phuong as the son of Lang Son province. I am very proud of being Vietnamese.

JS : What are your upcoming projects and what would be your dream role for the future?

HP: I also received invitations from a number of film projects, but I am not in a hurry to accept, I want to spend time with my family back home. Besides, I also take part in 1-2 roles from filmmakers in Vietnam.

JS : Thank you so much Hoang, this has been extremely inspiring!