The background of the 'tycoon' in the film that just set a Vietnamese record

According to Danis Nguyen, Human Trafficking Camp was actually filmed before The Guardian: Mystery of Dinh King's Tomb, but released later. For him, this journey was an exploration of cinema through two characters with contrasting shades: protagonist and antagonist.

"The hardest part wasn't portraying the exterior of a villain, but finding a way to understand the psychology of someone who could view cruel acts as a normal job," he said regarding his role as Mao Dai in the work that recently set a Vietnamese record.

To prepare for the role, Danis Nguyen sought out materials on individuals who had committed brutal acts. What haunted him was not just the level of evil, but the human state itself. According to the 48-year-old actor, when evil becomes normal to the perpetrator, it is truly terrifying. This was also the aspect he wanted to explore when building the character.

Danis Nguyen was not overly worried about taking on a villainous role, even though he anticipated being "hated by association" by the audience. To him, this is a sign that the performance evoked emotion. "I am not an actor who needs to play the lead or be a hero. I want to experience cinema with all its emotions," Danis Nguyen shared. For him, this is also a way to challenge himself with roles completely opposite to his real-life personality.

Although new to cinema, Danis Nguyen revealed that this was actually a childhood dream, but life did not allow him to pursue it from the start. Between 2014 and 2017, Danis Nguyen spent time playing rock music and got to know director Le Thanh Son. However, at that time, the challenge of making a living still took precedence. He chose to build his career in tattooing because he believed art requires a certain foundation.

"For me, doing art requires stability; you cannot try to make a living while doing art simultaneously, or it won't lead anywhere," he shared. Nearly 20 years later, with a family and a relatively stable foundation, Danis Nguyen returned to the arts.

He jokingly said that he has completed the goals he once set: a home with three children and a stable life. Once major responsibilities were settled, he could dedicate time to the things he had missed. "Since I was small, I loved filming and wanted to transform into different people. If I could choose my profession again, I would hope to be a film actor," he confided.

At over 40, Danis Nguyen clearly understands that he is not entering cinema as a young actor seeking fame. He also does not set out to make money from this profession. According to Danis Nguyen, income from cinema can hardly compare to the tattoo career he has built over many years. Therefore, his reason for joining film projects is not the salary. "I want to act because I want to serve art in its truest sense," he said.

To him, the most attractive aspect of acting is living the life of another person, experiencing emotional states that real life cannot provide. The artist envisions an ideal workday as waking up, reading, exercising, researching art, and preparing for a role... If an artist is not caught up in the limelight or exploiting fame, Danis Nguyen believes it is a very beautiful life.

Danis Nguyen stated that he has actually put his tattoo work on hold for about 3-4 years. He has started dedicating more time to personal art projects. Besides cinema, he is preparing for an exhibition featuring lacquer and oil paintings, and has already published an art book containing about 50 works.

Danis Nguyen's shift toward cinema has received support from his family. He mentioned that previously, his wife was worried when he wanted to pursue art. However, she now not only supports him but also accompanies him in many activities. His children are also a great source of motivation for the actor. Therefore, his journey is not just a personal story but also a way for him to inspire his family. "This is also an investment for myself and for my whole family in the future," he shared.