African guy plays extra in 'Peach, Pho and Piano'

Oraiden Manuel, 24, from Mozambique, hopes to act in more historical films after playing a French soldier in "Peach, Pho and Piano".

In the work of director Phi Tien Son, Oraiden Manuel appears briefly, speaking a few short lines in French. He said that although he only participated for a short time, he and other extras had to work from morning to night for five days on set, filming many scenes over and over again until they met the requirements. Oraiden said he admired the meticulousness of the crew, was happy to have everyone's support to complete the role, and had new experiences.

Oraiden Manuel (right) on the set of Peach, Pho and Piano. Photo: Character provided — Oraiden Manuel (right) on the set of "Peach, Pho and Piano". Photo: *Character provided*

Oraiden Manuel was cast when the foreign student manager at Hanoi University of Science and Technology called for him. He was chosen because he knew a little French and had the right height. During filming, thanks to his knowledge of both Vietnamese and English, Oraiden assisted in translating for some foreign actors.

"Some Vietnamese actors know that I speak Vietnamese, they chat with me and learn more about Mozambique, Africa. Until now, I still keep in touch with everyone in the crew, often texting to ask about each other," Oraiden said.

Oraiden Manuel (sixth from left) and foreign actors playing French soldiers in the film. Photo: Character provided — Oraiden Manuel (sixth from left) and foreign actors playing French soldiers in the film. Photo: *Character provided*

When Dao, Pho and Piano were popular, Oraiden Manuel sent his parents pictures of him in the movie. Due to the geographical distance and limited information, Oraiden Manuel's parents were initially shocked, thinking that there was a war in Vietnam and their son was fighting. After being told that the pictures were from the movie, his parents were proud and often showed off their son's activities to colleagues.

In the future, Oraiden hopes to have the opportunity to act in more historical films, receiving a role in a Mozambique film with a love theme, the war period between Mozambique and Portugal. "I have a passion for history, and am interested in film projects that deal with people and countries," said Oraiden.

Born in 2000, he is currently a student majoring in Electrical Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Oraiden Manuel studied at a top three university in Mozambique, then dropped out to study abroad with a scholarship from the Vietnamese Government. Before entering the University of Science and Technology, he studied Vietnamese for a year. His teachers gave Oraiden Manuel the Vietnamese name Duc, to make it easier to communicate during his studies. His friends often call him Black Duc. Loving Vietnamese and Vietnamese history, Oraiden Manuel has won many achievements such as the first prize for university-level scientific research students in 2021, and the first prize in the third political essay contest on protecting the Party's ideological foundation organized by the Hanoi Party Committee.