Foreign reports on film actor Don Duong refuted
Ha Noi, Nov. 18 (VNA) -- A senior government official has refuted as groundless western media reports saying that film actor Don Duong, who appeared in "We were soldiers" and "Green Dragon" Hollywood movies, was arrested, prosecuted or restricted from travelling.
"In fact, Don Duong has always been a free citizen to date," affirmed Nguyen Phuc Thanh, director of the Cinema Department of the Ministry of Culture and Information.
In an interview with Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) on this issue, Thanh said actor Don Duong has been criticised for appearing in these two movies, which distorted history and marred the image of Vietnamese soldiers.
"Some people have recommended administrative and legal measures against the actor for his erroneous acts," the government official said.
Asked to comment on the movies "We were soldiers" and "Green Dragon" in which Don Duong played main characters, Thanh said that these movies have received strong criticism not only from those who work in the cinematography sector but also overseas Vietnamese.
"The movies distort history as well as hurt sacred national values and the dignity of a nation, who has made sacrifices and conducted resistance wars for national independence," Thanh stressed.
He said "Such movies have in no way contributed to the process of normalisation and development of bilateral relations between Viet Nam and the United States".
He made clear that Don Duong went to the U.S. for playing his roles in the movies with his tourist visa, stressing "His move has not only damaged his reputation but also tarnished Viet Nam's image and honour".
"What he did is not the normal behaviour of an actor and is contrary to the laws of both Viet Nam and the U.S.," the official added.
"I think that in any country, all citizens are requested to show their sense of national dignity and responsibility towards the nation," he said, adding "For artists, this sense must be higher".
Public opinions have not agreed with the actor's explanation that it would be foolish to mistake Don Duong in real life for the characters he played in the movies.
"An actor only plays his role in a movie, without showing his point of view in it," Duong said in a letter sent to his relatives living in the U.S.
On news reports that director and actor Mel Gibson and some Americans who played in the films with Don Duong have asked Viet Nam to have mercy for Don Duong, Thanh said mercy and generosity are a fine tradition and cultural characteristics of the Vietnamese people. Mr Michael Caine, a famous British actor, who has twice won the Oscar prize, given the same remark when granting an interview to Western press after he played in the film "Silent Americans" in Viet Nam.
Thanh reaffirmed that for all his wrong doings Don Duong is not in custody and not prosecuted as some newspapers reported. Naturally, Duong has been criticised by his colleagues and public opinions, Thanh said.
He added that Duong has made certain successes in his career as an actor. It was true that before playing in the films "We Were Soldiers" and "Green Dragon", Don Duong had played in numerous films and received public admiration and praise.
Public criticism of Duong's appearance in movies that harmed the country's honour was just and fair. In Viet Nam and elsewhere in the world, any famous people, film or sports stars, may be criticised by public opinions for their wrong actions or attitude, Thanh noted.
He said Duong should listen to his colleagues and public opinions to draw lessons for himself and avoid being abused.
