2-9-2023 (VENICE) Renowned Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai, known for his reserved and enigmatic on-screen persona, broke character at a press conference in Venice where he was honored with the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award. Leung expressed his enthusiasm for his upcoming European film role and reflected on the rigorous training he received during what he referred to as the “golden era” of acting in Hong Kong in the 1980s.
Throughout his career, Leung has often conveyed deep emotions through minimal dialogue in his films. In “City of Sadness,” his first Venice film, he portrayed a mute character. In “The Grandmaster,” his martial arts skills spoke volumes. And in “In the Mood for Love,” Leung’s nuanced facial expressions were more evocative than words.
Publicly, Leung has typically kept his remarks brief, opting for a soulful gaze and expressing gratitude without delving into extensive conversation. However, in Venice, it was a refreshing departure to hear him speak at length in his distinctive gravelly voice.
Leung discussed the meticulous preparation he undertakes for his roles, which includes extensive research and study. Whether it involves literary research for a non-speaking part in “City of Sadness” or delving into neuroscience for his upcoming film “Silent Friend” directed by Ildiko Enyedi, Leung dedicates significant time and effort to understanding his characters.
“I spent a lot of time preparing for my roles. I was raised to suppress my emotions and not reveal them to others. But when I joined acting class, I found a way to express myself in front of people without being shy because they don’t see me; they see the character I’m playing,” explained Leung.
For his next European project, where he portrays a scientist, Leung intends to devote eight months to study the field of neuroscience. He emphasized the importance of gradual immersion, absorbing the character’s traits unconsciously over time.
Leung admitted that he prefers focusing on one role at a time and does not have a specific career plan. He believes that fate brings people together and plays a significant role in shaping his projects. When approached for Enyedi’s “Silent Friend,” Leung initially had reservations, but after a Zoom meeting with the director and viewing her previous works, he was captivated by her intellectual approach and artistic sensibilities.
When questioned about the revered status of “In the Mood for Love,” which was recently ranked as the fifth best movie of all time in a U.K. poll, Leung shed light on the unique and experimental process of working with renowned director Wong Kar-wai.
“We never had a complete script, so we didn’t know what to prepare before shooting. It was a very experimental process. That’s why sometimes we would shoot scenes wearing winter costumes, then switch to summer costumes, and film in various locations like restaurants or beaches. That’s why Wong Kar-wai’s films sometimes take a few years,” shared Leung.
Although Leung admitted that he hasn’t watched many Italian movies since his days as an acting student at Hong Kong broadcaster TVB, he credited his versatility to the intensive on-the-job training he received during the golden age of television in Hong Kong. He had the opportunity to work on diverse TV series, exposing him to different genres, which ultimately enabled him to seamlessly transition between comedy, drama, and art films.
Leung expressed his excitement about receiving the Golden Lion, an individual accolade that he won’t have to share with anyone else. When asked about his plans to celebrate his achievement, Leung grinned and retreated to his more private and reserved self.
Congratulations Tony Leung for winning Golden Lion lifetime achievement award at the 80th Venice film festival???? pic.twitter.com/R0KCRsDKMD
— Yibo???? One And Only | Rose (@envyofyibo) September 2, 2023
