Unveiling the Most Memorable Hand-Burning Scene in “Nổi Gió”
Nearly six decades have passed, and every time Nổi Gió is mentioned, viewers are still moved by the image of the steadfast female soldier with steely eyes and the tragic scene of her burning ten fingers. NSND Thụy Vân’s powerful performance in this scene left an indelible mark on audiences.
The harrowing hand-burning scene is not just a depiction of the enemy’s cruelty, but also a symbol of the unwavering spirit and courage of the revolutionary fighter.
![NSND Thụy Vân in the iconic hand-burning scene from “Nổi Gió” (Screenshot).] (https://cdnphoto.dantri.com.vn/7QudMfL0vEDKQcyO3OulyWC-qdQ=/thumb_w/1020/2025/04/13/tcbcnoi-gio-1docx-1744515151935.png)
As the cold metal pliers clamped down on her fingers, and the flames cruelly licked at her flesh, Ms. Vân, portrayed by NSND Thụy Vân, maintained an unyielding strength in her eyes.
Even in that moment of excruciating pain, she proactively ignited the remaining fingers, a breathtaking act of defiance that instilled profound respect and enduring awe in the viewers.
On April 12th, the program Cine7 – Việt Nam Film Memories aired, once again evoking powerful emotions about this film and revealing fascinating and touching behind-the-scenes stories about filmmaking during the war.
Especially, the sharing from TS. Ngô Anh Đào, the daughter of NSND Thụy Vân, provided insightful and authentic perspectives on this unforgettable hand-burning scene in Vietnamese cinema history.
According to TS. Ngô Anh Đào, the scene where Vân is tortured by the enemy, having her ten fingers burned, was a specific requirement from director Huy Thành.
Ms. Anh Đào revealed, “This scene was shot only once, without rehearsal, to capture the authenticity of the moment.”
This not only showcased the film’s brutality and realism, but also presented a significant challenge for NSND Thụy Vân.
To achieve a realistic effect on screen, makeup artists employed a special technique. NSND Thụy Vân’s hands were wrapped in bandages, plastered with plaster, and burned externally. A crew member stood ready with a bucket of water to extinguish the flames as soon as the director shouted “cut.”
“When I asked, ‘Mom, were you afraid?’ She replied, ‘No, in that moment, I was Ms. Vân.'” This response showed her complete immersion in the role, despite the danger, Ms. Anh Đào shared.
The behind-the-scenes stories about filmmaking during the war were also highlighted in the program.
Shot at the Quý Cao farm in Hải Phòng, a place where numerous Southern Vietnamese refugees gathered, Nổi Gió was created with the united effort of the community.
Everyone contributed to building the setting, from huts to rope bridges to chairs and tea sets within the homes. A vivid portrayal of the Southern Vietnamese Mekong Delta was created in Hải Phòng. Key actors, including NSND Thụy Vân and NSND Thế Anh (playing Lieutenant Phương), spent months in Quý Cao to truly experience the life of the people from Bến Tre.
Ms. Thu Hằng, the wife of NSND Thế Anh, shared that director Huy Thành had even discarded 400 meters of footage because he hadn’t found the right actor for the role of Lieutenant Phương. It was only when he met NSND Thế Anh that he was satisfied.
The character of Lieutenant Phương later became a defining role, forever associated with the name of NSND Thế Anh in the hearts of many generations.
![TS. Ngô Phương Lan (left) and TS. Ngô Anh Đào (middle) sharing their insights on the “Cine – Việt Nam Film Memories” program.] (https://cdnphoto.dantri.com.vn/z6_P4007v7B2qQ3wIu2kIz5kvzw=/thumb_w/1020/2025/04/13/tcbcnoi-gio-1docx-1744515148613.png)
Celebrating 50 Years of National Reunification, Remembering NSND Thụy Vân through “Nổi Gió”
During the historic April, as the nation commemorated the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification (April 30th), watching classic revolutionary war films like Nổi Gió holds special significance.
On the Cine – Việt Nam Film Memories program, film critic TS. Ngô Phương Lan, President of the Việt Nam Film Development Promotion Association, offered insightful comments on the film.
She noted, “Nổi Gió beautifully highlights the distinctive ‘feminine’ aspect of Vietnamese cinema. The character Vân not only represents love and sacrifice, but also embodies perseverance and overcoming adversity, reflecting the qualities of Vietnamese women during wartime.”
Despite being from the North, NSND Thụy Vân brilliantly embodied the role of a woman from Bến Tre, evoking memories of the “long-haired army” of General Nguyễn Thị Định.
Nguyễn Thụy Vân, born in 1940 in Ninh Bình, was a founding student of Vietnamese film, alongside prominent figures like NSND Trà Giang, Trần Phương, and Lâm Tới.
With talent and dedication, she became a symbol of revolutionary cinema.
![A scene from the film “Nổi Gió”.] (https://cdnphoto.dantri.com.vn/KYF7JNo0ARq-jWwsyUZcDeOog0E=/thumb_w/1020/2025/04/13/noi-gio-1744517319946.png)
On March 16, 2023, NSND Thụy Vân passed away after a long battle with colon cancer, leaving a void in the hearts of family, friends, colleagues, and countless Vietnamese film enthusiasts.
Her life and career were an inspiring artistic journey, with roles that have become part of cinematic history.
The character Vân in Nổi Gió stands as the pinnacle of NSND Thụy Vân’s career, recognized in the book 101 Best Vietnamese Films.
As the first Vietnamese war film set in the South, Nổi Gió marked a significant milestone.
During her lifetime, NSND Thụy Vân shared stories about the boat trip during stormy weather: “The boat rocked violently, thunder roared above us, I was shivering, but had to maintain a cheerful expression, holding the oars firmly.”
The film crew waited over a month for a real storm, and her dedication transformed the scene into a powerful portrayal of unwavering spirit.
Regarding the hand-burning scene, she shared, “I don’t know how I was so brave. My hands were wrapped in gauze, plaster, and oil-soaked cotton. There was only one bucket of water to extinguish the flames. It was a one-take scene, no rehearsal. When the director shouted ‘cut,’ I immediately dipped my hands in the bucket of water.” Her courage wasn’t just for the role, but a testament to her dedication to the art.
Beyond Nổi Gió, her name is associated with other valuable films: Vỹ tuyến 17 ngày và đêm, Sao tháng Tám, Rừng xà nu. Each role left its mark, contributing to the multifaceted portrait of a talented artist.
Successfully performing as an actress, NSND Thụy Vân also demonstrated her talent as a director. Her film Cơn lốc đen (Black Whirlwind), produced in 1988, was awarded a special prize at the Vietnam Film Festival the same year, showcasing her versatility and passion for filmmaking.
In 2019, Thụy Vân was awarded the title of NSND, a well-deserved recognition for her significant contributions to Vietnamese cinema.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam, revisiting Nổi Gió is not only an act of honoring history, but also a moment to remember talented artists like NSND Thụy Vân, who dedicated their lives to Vietnamese cinema.
The image of Ms. Vân’s unwavering strength during the “one-take” hand-burning scene will remain a timeless mark, a powerful symbol of the emotional and determined spirit of Vietnamese cinema.
Her passing is a great loss, but her immortal roles will continue to resonate with audiences, inspiring future generations.
