[Juuun]

THÁI SƯ TRẦN THỦ ĐỘ

~~~ film to celebrate 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi ~~~

I N F O

other titles: Great Tutor Tran Thu Do/ 陳守度/ ちん しゅど

director: ĐÀO Duy Phúc

genre: historical drama
script: NGUYỄN Mạnh Tuấn
production company: Vietnam Feature Film
budget: $3 million
episodes: 30 (3 parts)
filming location: Co Loa - Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Hengdian studio
setting: Kinh đô Thăng Long (former Hanoi) in the 13th century
release date: 10/2010

status: filming (untill May/2010)

P R E V I E W

>> fanmade preview <<

C A S T

LÃ Thanh Huyền as TRẦN THỊ Dung
Thiên Bảo as TRẦN Thủ Độ
HỨA Vĩ Văn as LÝ Huệ Tông, Thái tử Sảm
NGUYỄN THỊ Mai Chi as Thuận Hoa
NSƯT BÙI Bài Bình as TÔ Trung Từ
VÕ Thành Tâm as Trần Tỵ
NSND Hoàng Dũng as King LÝ Cao Tông
NSƯT NGUYỄN Lan Hương as mother of Thái tử Sảm
Chu Hùng as Quách Bốc
Trần Đức as PHẠM Bỉnh Di
...

ABOUT TRAN THU DO

"Prince Trung Vũ Trần Thủ Độ (Hán tự: 陳守度, 1194–1264) was a general and leader of the Trần clan during the reign of Lý Huệ Tông and Lý Chiêu Hoàng. Trần Thủ Độ was credited for overthrowing the Lý Dynasty and establishing the Trần Dynasty by his arrangement of marriage between the Empress Regnant Chiêu Hoàng and his nephew Trần Cảnh. After the coronation of Trần Cảnh, now Trần Thái Tông, Trần Thủ Độ was appointed as grand chancellor and regent of the Emperor. As the most powerful figure of royal court and Trần royal family, Trần Thủ Độ was responsible for both civil and military matters in Đại Việt, his successful governing was considered by historical books as the crucial factor that not only led to the stability of the Early Trần period but also contributed to the victory of Đại Việt over the first Mongol invasion. Although a skilled and devoted official of the Trần Dynasty, Trần Thủ Độ still remains a controversial figure in History of Vietnam for several ruthless decisions against members of the Lý royal family and his responsibility in the forced marriage between Trần Thái Tông and his brother Trần Liễu's wife, Princess Thuận Thiên, which was highly criticized by feudal historians."

source: Wiki

[hamster428]

are they picking this guy for drama sake? because although i have to admit the end of Ly Dynasty -> rise of Tran Dynasty = lots of drama, Tran Thu Do is a major arse. aren't there better historical figures to commemorate the city (*cough*Tran Hung Dao*cough*)?

i feel so bad for Ly Chieu Hoang >_<

[Juuun]

Fit for a king

source: Thanh Nien News

A young actor matures in his new role as a tragic king.


Hua Vy Van says playing King Ly Hue Tong in a new TV miniseries has been no piece of cake.

Not the least of the complicated issues is the historical drama’s plot.

In Tran Thu Do, Ly Hue Tong (1194-1226, born Ly Sam), the penultimate ruler of the Ly Dynasty, is overthrown by the Tran family headed by Prime Minister Tran Thu Do.

As the story goes, by 1224 King Ly Hue Tong had become mentally ill and appointed his seven-year-old daughter Ly Chieu Hoang as his successor as he had produced no male heirs. Once Hoang was crowned as Vietnam’s first and only empress, Tran Thu Do launched a coup and consolidated power in what became the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400). In a last act of cruelty, Do tracked down Sam, who had moved to a pagoda as a monk in his last years, and induced the retired emperor to commit suicide in 1226.

Van, now shooting the 30-episode series directed by Dao Duy Phuc, said that playing such a conflicted and tragic character has been difficult, especially amid the shoot’s crazy travel schedule, which has taken the cast and crew up and down Vietnam and all the way to Zhejian Province, China over a six-month period.

“I’m quite worried as the king is psychologically unstable because he came to the throne as a child. The lines in the film are long and difficult,” said Van, who starred in last year’s hit Saigon Love Story. “It’s a special, tough role.”

But Van has a lot of support from his costar, Duong Truong Thien Ly – second runner up at Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 and the People’s Choice Award winner at Miss World 2008 – who plays King Ly Hue Tong’s wife in the film.

The king in love

“I’m happy acting alongside Ly. I became a big fan when she performed at the Miss World pageant last year. I adore Ly’s style – I always like modern girls.”

Ly plays Tran Thi Dung, a cousin of Tran Thu Do who must marry him after the Trans take over the country following Ly Hue Tong’s suicide. “Ly’s beauty makes her perfect to play Tran

Thi Dung, a beautiful and intelligent woman. I’m trying to put myself into the role as much as possible, so I’ll be in love with Ly until the film finishes,” Van joked.

Perfectionist

While it’s easy for the up-and-coming star to get into his roles, he also admits to sometimes throwing tantrums if things don’t go his way.

“People can say what they want about my talent, but I’m a perfectionist.”

Ceaseless passion, commitment and effort are what Van said have enabled him to adjust and earn the respect of critics after turning to acting from a career in modeling and singing. He said newspaper critics used to really hurt his feelings when he first began, but not anymore.

“I’m not hurt anymore. I know my responsibility and I know right from wrong. I like to read constructive criticism about my roles and films to help improve my acting skills. Acting is a long road.”

The Smurfs, created by Pierre Culliford, are part of a comic book exhibition running in Ho Chi Minh City until June 20

Reported by Thanh Trung

[Juuun]

2.66 million USD for historical movie

source: VietNamNet

VietNamNet Bridge – The 1000th Thang Long-Hanoi anniversary organising board has announced it will invest 48 billion dong (over US$2.66 million) in a movie about a historical character, great tutor Tran Thu Do.


The second runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 Duong Truong Thien Ly is practising singing, dancing and horseback riding to play the role of imperial concubine Tran Thi Dung in "Great Tutor Tran Thu Do".

The first scenes of this movie will be shot on June 12 by the Feature Film Studio 1 under the order of the 1000th Thang Long-Hanoi anniversary organising board. The project will run for eight months.

Directed by Dao Duy Phuc, script by Nguyen Manh Tuan, the two lead roles will be played by young actor Thien Bao as Tran Thu Do and the second runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam Duong Truong Thien Ly as imperial concubine Tran Thi Dung.

The 30-episode film will be shot for over ten days at the 40,00sq.m studio in Co Loa, Hanoi, then in the central city of Hue before going to China’s Hengdian studio in Zhejiang province.

Some foreigners will participate in the film crew as martial-arts instructors and technicians, said Dang Tat Binh, director of the Feature Film Studio 1.

This film project has been being prepared for several years since it is an important project to celebrate the 1000th grand anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi as Vietnam’s capital.

Tran Thu Do was the meritorious founder of the Tran Dynasty and the one who ruled the country in the early years of the Tran Dynasty (1226-1264).

Writer Nguyen Manh Tuan, who wrote the script of “Great Tutor Tran Thu Do”, said: “In historical books, Tran Thu Do was described in ten lines so my script about him is mainly invented. However, the invention is based on history. Though history criticises him in many aspects, my Tran Thu Do is a talented man who prepared the ground for a strong Dai Viet country to defeat foreign invaders three times later.”

The movie also tells the sorrowful love story of Tran Thu Do and imperial concubine Tran Thi Dung. Tuan has been invited to write a 60-episode TV script about King Ly Cong Uan.

VietNamNet/NLD/VH

[Juuun]

From beauty queen to royalty

source: Thanh Nien News

A famous pageant contestant says fate is why she accepted the role of a Vietnamese empress in a TV series being made for the 1,000th year anniversary of Hanoi.



The second runner-up at the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 contest and the Vietnamese representative at Miss World 2008, Duong Truong Thien Ly has turned down several starring roles in local movies to study in the US.

But when she was offered a role in the TV series Tran Thu Do (Royal Chancellor Tran Thu Do) she couldn’t resist playing the part of a Ly Dynasty queen.

“Many famous directors had invited me to take part in their films but I couldn’t because after competing at the pageants, I had to return to the US to continue my studies,” Ly says.

“Before I attended Miss World 2008 in South Africa, director Dao Duy Phuc contacted me and suggested casting me in the role of Tran Thi Dung.”

She says she felt a little bit surprised at the proposal but after studying the history, she decided she would be proud to do it.

Her character, Tran Thi Dung, the daughter of a Ly Dynasty mandarin, was skilled at literature and martial arts. Dung often discussed political issues with her father and brothers. She fell in love with the founder of the Tran Dynasty, Tran Thu Do, but she had to abandon him to marry a crown prince for political reasons. Then she became a queen of the Ly Dynasty.

Dung became a powerful political player and a military general.

Ly says she has studied her character’s history in depth, and is learning martial arts. Playing the part is worth it, she says, to show her gratitude to her country’s ancestors.

“It is a contribution to the 1,000th Thang Long-Hanoi anniversary,” Ly says.

The 30-episode-film will cost VND50 billion (US$2.9 million) and is expected to start shooting this month. The film tells about the life of Tran Thu Do who was the Royal Chancellor in the 13th century. He played a pivotal role in overthrowing the Ly Dynasty and founding the Tran Dynasty.

Film process

To prepare for making the film, researchers have interviewed many experts and historians to make it as true to reality as possible.

Ly says: “We listened to a presentation by history professor Le Van Lan and were instructed in traditional classical opera by musical theater artists and taught martial arts by experienced instructor Vo Thanh Tam. Foreign experts will also be invited to assist us with the filming in coming months.”

“I can sense a serious working atmosphere ahead for all members in the film crew,” Ly adds.

Apart from learning new skills, they are prepared well in their spirit, Ly says: “We worshiped ancient sages in pagodas around Hanoi. Soon, we will visit the tombs of Tran Thu Do and Tran Thi Dung.”

“This is a wonderful way to keep us calm in our minds. We feel affection and responsibility in our roles,” Ly says.

The most difficult thing for the 20-year-old actress is to portray a 16-year-old girl, Tran Thi Dung, who is beautiful, smart and strong.

“Of course, I have to adapt myself to my character. Make-up specialists will help me look like a 16-year-old and I will learn some basic martial arts, swimming and horse riding skills.”

She says her overseas study is not an obstacle for her to star in a series about the legendary queen. “But the difficulty lies in the fact that there is very little information about her character.”

Ly says: “It is true that my character is of crucial importance and how I play the role will affect the whole film, so it is a big responsibility for me.”

“I believe that director Dao Duy Phuc has chosen me, an amateur, to act as the show’s lead for the right reasons. I don’t believe he would pick a ‘beautiful vase’ without acting ability or intelligence to star as the queen,” Ly says.

“It is such a big responsibility, that if I didn’t think I had enough ability to perform the role, I would not have accepted, but I think I am meant to play Tran Thi Dung.”

Ly is going to have to juggle the acting work with her role as Hoan Vu Company National Director and consultant to supermodel Vo Hoang Yen at Miss Universe 2009. She is her liaison with the Miss Universe Organization.

The company chose Ly to pass on her experience to Hoang Yen, who was the first runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008.

Ly says she won’t have any trouble handling acting and her work with Yen: “My work is not to manage Hoang Yen but to give her advice from my own international competition experience.”

Reported by Hanh Nhi

[Juuun]

wow. for those who understand Vietnamese should read the following article. it seems to be the biggest tv production in Vietnam at the moment and the biggest historical drama ever.

http://www.tuoitre.com.vn/Tianyon/Index.as...mp;ChannelID=10 (with audio)

pic update - behind the scene June 09


Thiên Bảo as Trần Thủ Độ


Co Loa film studio - Hanoi

[Juuun]

what do you guys think of the make-up? they actually hired a Chinese make-up artist.


Minh Hương and Miss Thiên Lý

[Memories]

I'm glad they hired a chinese artist. Vietnamese make up tends to be way too flashy and thick and would never suit for a historical drama. I'm liking the make up on those girls very natural. Although I do think that Minh Huong could use some brighter make up specifically on her lips.

Anyways this drama seems to be good. I don't know a lot of Viet history so it would broaden my knowledge about my culture. I think the actors and actresses so far seems to be pretty good looking. The only drawback is that it's set in Hanoi and I find it very hard to listen to Hanoi accent. =X Please update more pics if you have any. Oh yes I have to say Thien Ly is very pretty =)

[tenken]

i'm surprised they're dedicating a drama to Tran Thu Do. From what I know he was a major antagonist who overthrew the whole Ly dynasty for his own ambition.

hamster428: yes I feel bad for Ly Chieu Hoang too. She was basically a pawn in his plans.

[nghister]

He's a pretty controversial person ... I wouldn't really consider him a hero =/ Just someone who was really good with scheming..

[sorala]

i want to see the royal costumes XD . the one Thien Ly wore in the pic above is so pretty but I dont think that's the costume for the film

[Juuun]

i want to see the royal costumes XD . the one Thien Ly wore in the pic above is so pretty but I dont think that's the costume for the film

I got the pic from Kenh.

"Hình ảnh Minh Hương và Á hậu Thiên Lý trong phim "Trần Thủ Độ""

http://kenh14.channelvn.net/c4/t1/20090703...e-lung-tran.chn

You know they're filming in Hanoi.

[Juuun]

small update. looks all promising so far.




btw, they're filming in China now.

[Juuun]

they are looking for a replacement. the audition will take place in august. So far, Tang Thanh Ha and Dieu Huong are under consideration by the production team.

Tang Thanh Ha





Dieu Huong




my favourite choice:

Ngo Phuong Lan would be a perfect for the role, but she is currently busy with another drama in Saigon. She looks young, smart and beautiful.

[tenken]

They better find a serious, professional actress who can ACT, not another prima donna beauty queen. My impression with Thien Ly's dropping out is that her action is amateurish and irresponsible. She claims that the scenes in the drama are too racy for her, but I don't buy that. This is a historical, government sponsored project, hence, CONSERVATIVE. Why would they risk putting racy scenes in there? And even if there were racy scenes, she shoulda read through the script and refuse then and there so they could find somebody else instead of leaveing the whole staff getting screwed mid way.

[Juuun]

update







I'm conviced of Thien Bao now. He seems to do his job good.

latest news: another historical drama will produced for the anniversary of TL-HN. It will cost even more than this. US$3.3million for “Chiếu dời đô”. It will be released in the first quarter of 2010 while this drama will be delayed to the 4th quarter.

[Juuun]

pic update

[Juuun]

pic update

[sorala]

i had high hopes for the costume design in this movie but it seems my hopes were too high after all

[Juuun]

La Thanh Huyen gets coveted role in TV epic

VietNamNet Bridge – La Thanh Huyen, an actress and TV show host, has been chosen to take over the lead female role in the much anticipated “Chancellor Tran Thu Do” historical series.

Beauty queen Duong Truong Thien Ly walked off the set in July, saying that she objected to doing ‘sexy scenes.’ Her abrupt departure threw filming of the most expensive footage ever shot in Vietnam into chaos. Now Feature Film Studio 1 has awarded the part of Queen Tran Thi Dung to Huyen after screen tests of many actresses.

“Many actresses tried out for the Tran Thi Dung role. I’m happy about that,” said director Dao Duy Phuc. “There were people from the south and overseas who auditioned, proving the popularity of the role of Tran Thi Dung in particular and the “Chancellor Tran Thu Do” series in general.”

Epic series gets historic budget

The TV series now in production depicts the life of Tran Thu Do (1194- 1264), who played a pivotal role in a bloodless coup that ended the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225) and established the Tran Dynasty (1125-1400).

After falling for Tran Thi Dung, the daughter of a Ly mandarin, Do sublimated love to his political aspirations and orchestrated Dung’s wedding to the crown prince. When she became queen, Dung helped Do overthrow the Ly dynasty.

The role of Dung is a coveted one. History records her as skilled in literature and martial arts and as a woman who often discussed political issues with her father and brothers. From that beginning, Dung became a powerful political insider and even a general.

The 30-episode series has been commissioned by the Hanoi People’s Committee as part of the capital’s 1000th anniversary celebration. It is being produced for 51 billion dong ($2.9 million), a record budget for a Vietnamese television series.

The film began shooting in July 2009 and will be completed next March. It is being shot on location throughout Vietnam, including scenes in Hanoi and Hue. Additional scenes are being shot in China’s Zhejian Province.

For the first time, Phuc consented to discuss Thien Ly’s surprise withdrawal from the project. “She left the project at my suggestion because she was not able to take the role,” Phuc said. “That is the only reason.”

Thien Ly announced in late July that she was pulling out because she didn’t want to do sexy scenes. Many in the film crew scoffed at her explanation, pointing out that the project is a serious one, practically devoid of racy footage.

Although the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was rumored to have taken part in choosing Thien Ly’s replacement, Minister Le Tien Tho told Dan Tri on September 9 that the ministry did not interfere.

Huyen, the new Queen Tran Thi Dung, was born in 1985 and graduated from the Hanoi Art and Culture College. She was the winner in the national contest for dynamic young girls in 2006 "Vietnamese Women in the 21st Century. She has performed in several films, including “Going to the Sun,” “Vietnamese Bride,” “White Lily,” “The Le Family’s Sons-in-Law,” “Blog and Bride,” among others. She also works as a TV show host.

Although the selection process was lengthy, Phuc reports that their shooting schedule was not affected.


VietNamNet/ DanTri