Ly Hai is not an amateur who got lucky with 7 Lat mat movies.

Ly Hai and his family are loved for their good behavior towards the audience, as well as the skills he has honed through each film - Photo: Producer

In fact, the only recklessness was in part 3 of the Lat mat series, because up to this part, the series was not yet a big hit in terms of revenue enough for the producer to have the confidence to last as it is now (it was not until part 4, Lat mat: Nha co khach , that Ly Hai became a hundred billion director).

But to turn into a strong brand series and the latest part (Face Off 7: A Wish ) clearly progresses in terms of craftsmanship, it cannot be just "deaf and not afraid of guns".

New milestone at the age of 56 of Ly Hai

Ly Hai admits that he is "old" in the film industry. In 2015, after the first part of Lat mat was released, he stopped his singing career of more than 20 years - at that time it was still his good job - to switch to directing. He was 47 years old at that time.

He is now 56 and Flip Side 7: A Wish is a new milestone in his career.

FLIP 7: A WISH | OFFICIAL TRAILER | Premiere 04/26/2024

Ly Hai studied drama at the School of Stage Arts 2 (now the University of Theatre and Cinema, Ho Chi Minh City), then studied vocal music and then became a singer. He became widely known as a singer in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

But while singing, Ly Hai also revealed his passion for acting and directing when he starred in the musical comedy series Forever with You , collaborating with director Trung Lun.

In this series of music videos, Ly Hai later took on the role of director and gradually improved, although the techniques of making music videos in the past cannot be compared to today's movies.

Ly Hai directed the scene of a ship encountering a storm at sea in the movie Lat mat 7 - Photo: Producer

Right from Forever With You , Ly Hai's style of making action comedy films was already shaped like the series Lat Mat later.

It can be said that Ly Hai's entire career before entering the film industry was beneficial for his future film career, having solid roots and not being an amateur.

And with Lat mat 7: Mot giau uoc (early screening from April 22), the film's box office success can no longer be considered a fluke.

The simple reason is that the quality of the film can convince the audience, reaching the level of touching emotions, while some previous parts such as Lat mat 4: Nha co khach or Lat mat 6: Tac ve dinh menh were considered bad films or had many plot flaws.

Flip Side 7: One Wish is the best and most different film in the series.

The film is completely psychological, with a family theme, no more action or gangster elements, and no big scenes with thousands of actors like in previous parts.

This choice of Ly Hai once caused skepticism because many people thought he was only good at action, comedy and big scenes but could not "balance" the psychology.

But in Lat mat 7 , Ly Hai did surprisingly well because he was very passionate about the story of an old mother, her children each in different places unable to take care of her, each with their own suffering.

As a narrator, he sympathizes with both the old mother and her children. This understanding moves the audience.

Ly Hai's extended family, including his 99-year-old mother, supported him in releasing the film Lat mat 7 - Photo: DPCC

"Family man", "filial son"

"Family man" is the image associated with Ly Hai over the years.

He and his wife - producer Minh Ha are a perfect pair, from acting in Forever Together to producing films and raising their children together. Their children also acted in some parts of the film Lat Mat .

Therefore, the name Ly Hai has never been separate from Minh Ha and her children.

Ly Hai - Minh Ha accompany each other in both life and work - Photo: DPCC

And the "filial son" is an image that many people will know more about through Lat mat 7. Ly Hai is the youngest in a family of nine siblings.

At the premiere of Lat mat 7 in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of April 24, he invited his 99-year-old mother, along with many of his siblings, in-laws, and grandchildren to join in the fun. He revealed that this was less than a third of his extended family.

For a long time, no matter what genre or story Ly Hai's films are, they always have two overarching themes: family love and friendship.

"I always wanted to tell a story to my family, to my mother, but only now can I do it.

This is a family story that I think you guys have similar circumstances," Ly Hai shared.

Ly Hai's mother is named Pham Thi Hai, and the mother in Lat mat 7 is named Nguyen Thi Hai. The film is inspired by his mother, but the story is not exactly the same as in real life.

Ly Hai is the worst actor in Lat mat 7 ?

Since Lat mat 3: Ba chang khuyet , Ly Hai has been continuously successful at the box office but has also been criticized professionally. If the story is not old, cheesy (or "rice" as he himself admits), there are also "funny" and forced details...

But in Lat mat 7: Mot giau uoc , the director is very receptive and has overcome weaknesses in storytelling, script, cinematic language as well as promoting strengths in casting ability. Some details are still cheesy but very sincere, touching the hearts of viewers.

If there is a major weakness of Lat mat 7 , it is... Ly Hai's acting. He plays a small role with a somewhat old and boring acting style. Having played the main role in Lat mat 1 , Ly Hai has now stepped back to give the screen to a strong cast, his role is just for fun.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ly-hai-dau-phai-la-tay-ngang-an-may-voi-7-phim-lat-mat-20240426092936992.htm