Duong Truong Thien Ly has left the series, claiming she’s not comfortable with shooting suggestive scenes.

Is history being sexed up, or is an actress reading too much between the lines?

How thin it can be became apparent recently with a surprise withdrawal from the prestigious historical TV series Tran Thu Do (Imperial Regent Tran Thu Do) by Duong Truong Thien Ly, second runner-up at the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 pageant and the Vietnam’s representative at Miss World 2008.

The 30-episode-series Tran Thu Do is being produced at a reportedly VND51 billion (US$2.9 million), and has been commissioned by the Hanoi People Committee. Made by Film Studio I, the movie depicts the life of Tran Thu Do (1194- 1264), Imperial Regent in the 13th century who played a pivotal role in bloodlessly overthrowing the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225) and founding the Tran Dynasty (125-1400), one of the most glorious and prosperous eras in Vietnamese history.

The film started shooting last month and is expected to be completed next March. It is being shot at many famous locales in Vietnam including Hanoi and Hue city as well as China’s Zhejian Province. This series is being made as an important artistic contribution to the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi Anniversary celebrations next year.

Thien Ly was chosen to play the part of Tran Thi Dung, a far relative of Tran Thu Do, well versed in literature and skilled in martial arts. She is also the main character in the “love triangle” formed when Dung falls in love with Tran Thu Do but has to marry the crown prince Ly Sam, who became the penultimate ruler of the Ly Dynasty, for political reasons. She then becomes the queen of Ly Dynasty.

Thien Ly had expressed her high appreciation for the opportunity to play a beautiful, smart and strong symbol of Vietnamese women, but has given it up because of what she calls a “delicate problem” and “divergence in artistic point of view” between her and the filmmakers.

Sitting at her home, Thien Ly talked frankly about the controversy. “Participating in Tran Thu Do and becoming Queen Tran Thi Dung is a great honor. I have not acted in films before, so I respect this huge opportunity all the more.

“But confronting a big difference, I felt stressed and decided to quit. I do not want to present an erroneous national image. There is no need to place suggestive scenes in a political and historical film. Tran Thi Dung is strong but feminine, and dares to sacrifice private affection for her country. I think we should have clear respect for the true historical character.”

“I know that I have upset the crew, but I’d rather do this than anger millions of Vietnamese people. Tran Thu Do is more than a normal series, which should respect and not distort history.”

Thien Ly’s mother confirmed that her family had canceled many plans to accord priority to Ly’s shooting schedule.

“My daughter’s decision also affects us, but it’s really not her fault and wish,” she said.

Producer-director Dang Tat Binh, director of Film Studio I, said the withdrawal of Thien Ly was due to her busy school schedule in the United States. He said Thien Ly could only collaborate for four months, but this was not enough to complete her scenes, which would take at least nine months.

Dao Duy Phuc, director of Tran Thu Do series, said it is normal for a film to change actors or recast someone.

“We have many other alternatives for Thien Ly’s character. Now, the film is still on its way with the other 120 characters and their fates,” said Phuc.

The series’ scriptwriter, Tran Manh Tuan, remembers no “hot” scenes in his script.

“I wrote it three or four years ago, so when I say, there is no ‘hot’ scene, there could be a difference in artistic perspectives. In my research, I found women in Ly Dynasty usually wore yem (traditional Vietnamese brassière). Is this to be considered suggestive? We should clarify the issue to prevent false and unfair accusations against the film makers and Thien Ly.”

Many actors and actresses working in the serial maintain there are no needlessly erotic scenes in the film.

“I play the role of crown prince Sam, husband of Tran Thi Dung. I think the film has no reason to put sexy scenes in to attract customers, for it is a series, not a commercial film. The script was also examined three times before shooting. I think Thien Ly is maybe too sensitive about this problem. Now a replacement actress is being chosen,” Van told the VnExpress newswire.

Thien Bao, who plays the central role of Tran Thu Do, also told VnExpress there were no explicitly sexual details in his scenes with Thien Ly.

An unnamed source from the film crew, meanwhile, told Thanh Nien Ly was asked to shoot a scene several times nearly topless except for a small brassiere. The source also said there were no provisions when the scene was being shot to prevent members of the crew from taking pictures with digital cameras or cell phones.

Producers of the series have announced castings to find a new actress for the role of Tran Thi Dung. The auditions will begin after August 18, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Tien Tho has weighed in on the controversy, saying the filmmakers should prepare a report explaining this problem.

“There could be differences in the written script and the one used in shooting, not to mention personal concepts of what constitutes “suggestive.” Each side has their own rationales. If the film really has unacceptable scenes, it might not be allowed to air. This problem is a warning for the filmmaking industry. There are limitations and we must respect that,’ said Tho.

Duong Truong Thien Ly in publicity still for the highly-anticipated historical drama Tran Thu Do (Imperial Regent Tran Thu Do).

Reported by Thanh Nien staff