The Bodhisattva

In a recent interview, director Duong Khiet said that her important criterion when choosing an actress for Journey to the West is beauty.

That criterion was clearly shown when Duong Khiet chose Ta Dai Ban to play Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva appears many times in Journey to the West, but in reality there is not much acting space.

Maitreya

Artist Thiet Nguu (left) and Sun Wukong in Journey to the West.

Director Duong Khiet shared in the book Where Do You Dare to Ask for Directions?, choosing the actor to play Maitreya Buddha was the hardest job for her.

Duong Khiet met Thiet Nguu while attending a performance night.

Artist Thiet Nguu was born in 1922, his real name is Duong Tich Nghiep.

Buddha

Duong Khiet wants to find an actor with a majestic, tall, and kind appearance to play Tathagata.

When he first met Chu Long Quang, Duong Khiet thought, `How can this person act Tathagata?`.

Sun Wukong

Director Duong Khiet spent a lot of time looking for someone to play Wukong – the soul of the work.

Duong Khiet was secretly excited and took the bus to meet Luc Linh Dong’s house.

Later, Duong Khiet said that she was very grateful for Luc Linh Dong’s recommendation and admired his keen eye.

Luc Linh Dong is a famous Chinese artist who has incarnated the Monkey King many times in traditional plays.

Tang Tang

Because he wanted to study more, Tu Thieu Hoa abandoned the film crew of Journey to the West, causing director Duong Khiet to once again struggle to choose a replacement.

Tri Trong Thuy and the role of a lifetime.

She met Tri Trong Thuy in very special circumstances.

After that, she asked the young man’s name and place of work, then asked him to come into the room with the light on so she could take a closer look.

Immediately, the director asked Tri Trong Thuy to act in the movie, the actor agreed without needing any more time to think.

Later, Duong Khiet called the chance meeting with Tri Trong Thuy `fate`.

Bach Cot Tinh

Among the female demons in Journey to the West, Bach Cot Tinh is the character that made Duong Khiet the most tired when searching.

Still haven’t found an actor, but Duong Khiet did not lower his selection standards.

Near the filming date, Duong Khiet suddenly remembered artist Duong Xuan Ha.

Ngoc Tho Tinh

Duong Khiet wants to find a sweet girl with a subtle beauty to play Ngoc Tho Tinh.

When he found it, Duong Khiet was extremely happy because Ly Linh Ngoc not only knew how to act but also sang well and could perform the singing and dancing in the work himself.

The director told a funny story while filming with beauty Ly Linh Ngoc: `She was very brave. In the river jumping part, even though she didn’t know how to swim, Linh Ngoc was still determined not to use a stunt double. She was afraid something would happen.