Brian Jeffrey
Born in 1973, Thinh is a prominent figure in Vietnam’s stunt acting scene. Inspired by Hong Kong action films as a child, he aimed to become a martial arts actor. In the early 1990s, he enrolled in a martial arts school and started auditioning for films like ‘Pham Cong – Cuc Hoa’ and ‘Lua Chay Thanh Dai La’.
Initially, Thinh considered his role in films to be merely a boxing demonstration and was unfamiliar with the term stuntman. In 1992, he joined the Cascadeur Club, established by various film industry professionals in Ho Chi Minh City, where he gained valuable training and experience as a stuntman from 1992 to 1997.
Thinh acknowledges that the stunt profession has experienced various challenges alongside the Vietnamese film industry.
In 1997, the film industry faced a downturn, leading to dwindling audiences and media criticisms of hurriedly produced, low-quality films dubbed ‘instant noodle films’.
During this tough time, Thinh and his peers took on diverse jobs to make ends meet, including designing stunt equipment and performing in theater productions and music videos.
This era marked the founding of the Quoc Thinh Cascadeur Club, where Thinh collaborated with eight other members.
From 1998 to 1999, despite the growth of TV programming, stunt performers remained underappreciated, often seen merely as extras. Thinh primarily played secondary roles, his face rarely recognized in the movies.
Not deterred, he continued to immerse himself in his work, unable to recall the exact number of films he has performed in.
By 2006, he set a record for the most film doubles in Vietnamese cinema, as recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records.
It wasn’t until 2002-2003 that the stunt profession began to flourish again, with the increasing need for doubles in film projects after 2010.
Thinh has worked as a stuntman for renowned actors such as Huynh Anh Tuan and Lam Truong in well-known films like ‘Xich lo’ and ‘Duoi Co Dai Nghia’.
Though he graduated with a degree in Refrigeration Engineering, Thinh has consistently followed his passion for martial arts, accepting roles despite the risks involved. He narrowly escaped a serious accident while substituting for actor Ly Hung in ‘Red Sea Pirate’ in 1995, often sustaining minor injuries.
Despite the hazards, he notes that advancements in technology have significantly reduced such risks.
With over three decades in the industry, Thinh takes pride in mentoring several prominent cascadeurs who have made significant contributions to Vietnamese cinema, including Tony-Le Duong Bao Anh and Phi Ngoc Anh.
He also praises his martial arts instructor, Bui Minh An, who holds a Vietnamese record for the highest jump in stunt history, having jumped freely from the 8th floor of a hotel for a music video in 2006.
Beyond stunt performing, Thinh has transitioned into filmmaking, having studied directing at the HCM City University of Theatre and Cinema, where he has directed about ten films.
Married in 2004 and a father of two, aged 16 and 18, Thinh’s family supports him in his perilous career, with his children taking pride in their father’s accomplishments.
