Quang Thái
Acting
Biography
Distinguished Artist Quang Thái (full name Bùi Quang Thái, b. 20 March 1937 in Hải Phòng province - 17 June 2019) was a Vietnamese actor in film and theater. He belonged to the second generation of the Vietnam National Drama Theater (Nhà hát kịch Việt Nam), alongside other names such as Đào Mộng Long, Song Kim, Trúc Quỳnh and Mạnh Linh. Quang Thái began acting in film in 1959 when he was cast in the first Vietnamese revolutionary film "On the Same River" (Chung một dòng sông, d. Phạm Văn Khoa, 1959); but was moved from the lead role to a secondary one due to his rather too "Western" looks. He then found success on the stage, with well remembered roles like Sergei in "The Story of Lec scut" (Câu chuyện Lec scut). Ranf in "The Island of Venus" (Hòn đảo thần vệ nữ), Bottom in Summer's Dream (Giấc mộng đêm hè),... Notable Vietnamese plays in which he participated include "The Eyes" (Đôi mắt), "Storm of the Sea" (Bão biển), "Rainy Night" (Đêm mưa) and "The Gunhand of the People" (Tay súng quân dân). In 1980, Quang Thái returned to cinema in his second film role as architect Dương Tấn in "Where Lovers Meet" (Nơi gặp gỡ của tình yêu, d. Long Vân), acting alongside other famous contemporaries, Thế Anh and Thẩm Thúy Hằng. Eventually at the age of 45, Quang Thái achieved a breakthrough in his film career, starring as the real-life figure Tư Chung, Chief of the Saigon Rangers in the TV series of the same name (d. Long Vân, 1982-1986). Another legendary name of Vietnamese cinema, actor Chánh Tín, was also considered for the role. Quang Thái retired in 1999, but shortly after came back for his last credit in "A Summer Night's Dream" (Giấc mộng đêm hè).
Known For
Hoài and Vận fall in love during the war against the French. Vận fought as a guerrilla and Vận ferried guerrillas across the river. When peace comes, Vietnam is divided in two across the Bến Hải River, leaving them separated.
On the Same River
Posing as a privileged man working for his wealthy industrialist uncle, Commander of the Saigon Rangers Tư Chung prepares with his comrades for a secret meeting with a coming Vietcong officer, alias "K9". The first part of a series based on a real-life organization involved in intelligence activities in South Vietnam before 1975.
Saigon Rangers: The Meeting Place
To keep up with his public guise, Tư Chung considers marriage with his "girlfriend" and tries to flatter some trust out of the CIA advisors who've been eyeing the pair, all the while following new orders to plan and launch an important offensive. The second part of a series based on a real-life organization involved in intelligence activities in South Vietnam before 1975.
Saigon Rangers: Silence
The year 1968 approaches. Bubbling underneath festive spirits are quiet anticipations of a major escalation of conflict, alongside exciting dreams of a brighter future...that seems so close and yet somehow far away. Tư Chung, tasked with overseeing the joint offensive on supreme headquarters in Saigon at the first moment of the lunar year, prepares himself for the most beautiful and painful of hopes. The final part of a series based on a real-life organization involved in intelligence activities in South Vietnam before 1975.
Saigon Rangers: Return You Your Name
The plot of the film revolves around revolutionary soldiers who come from different classes, but all share the same patriotism. They had to overcome many life-and-death challenges and enormous adversities in order to mobilise the masses to prepare for an uprising and seize power from the Japanese fascists, in a situation where the country fell into the tragedy of famine.
August Star
After the dangerous offensive launched on the embassy office in Saigon, Tư Chung and his comrades have to find ways to adapt to rising suspicions from the CIA advisors, as well as dealing with violent repercussions involving someone very dear to him. The third part of a series based on a real-life organization involved in intelligence activities in South Vietnam before 1975.
Saigon Rangers: Thunderstorm
Lonely at old age, Định seeks solace in the companionship of a colleague who then moves in to live with him. Wary of an imminent marriage that will interfere with their inheritance, Định’s children scheme to break up his new relationship.
Killer
As the new government takes over South Vietnam following the Fall of Saigon, civil engineer Dương Tấn is fearful of imminent repression. He and his colleagues are dispatched to fix a hydroelectric plant where they meet Đỗ Long, a bubbly engineer from the North.