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| Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai listens to a reporter's question during a press conference held at KNN Theater in Busan, Thursday, during his visit to the Busan International Film Festival. Yonhap |
Hong Kong actor reflects on 40-year acting career
By Kwak Yeon-soo
BUSAN ― Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai said he is willing to appear in Korean films or series if given a chance and if the language barrier can be overcome.
"I've been a big fan of Korean cultural content and actors like Jeon Do-yeon and Song Kang-ho. If I can overcome the language barrier, I would love to star in Korean films and dramas. Recently, I watched 'CODA,' a film about a hearing daughter in a deaf family. Maybe if given a role that doesn't have barriers of language, I would seriously consider it," he said during a press conference held at the KNN Theater in Busan, Thursday.
Leung is well known for his roles in "Chungking Express" (1994), "Happy Together" (1997) and "In the Mood for Love" (2000), all directed by Wong Kar-wai. He has also appeared in three Golden Lion winning films ― "A City of Sadness" (1989), "Cyclo" (1995) and "Lust, Caution" (2007). His 2002 film "Hero" was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards in 2003.
On visiting the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) for the first time in 18 years since his 2004 film "2046" was selected as the opening film of the ninth edition, he recalled how things have changed dramatically. He attended this year's festival to receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award.
"I feel like the city of Busan has changed a lot over the last two decades. It became modernized, with more skyscrapers and beautiful beaches. When I first came here to attend the second edition of BIFF, there was a small stage and a narrow path to the opening ceremony. The red carpet yesterday was so grand that I was a little nervous," he said.
A special exhibition "In the Mood for Tony Leung" that showcases Leung's achievements and contributions to the Asian film industry will be held throughout this year's festival. A meet-and-greet event, along with a hand printing ceremony, will take place on Friday.
Leung also reflected on his 40-year acting career and expressed his desire to play a wider variety of roles in the future.
"If I could divide my acting career, the first half was about learning while the second half was about making use of my skillsets … After 40 years, I'm finally not stressed out anymore and I truly enjoy acting now," he said.
He added, "I started out as a drama actor, so I would love to go back to starring in dramas. There are roles I haven't performed yet. I would like to play complicated characters, maybe a serial killer."
Since the beginning of his career in the 1980s, Leung has received numerous accolades. Along with winning the Best Actor at Cannes Film Festival in 2000, he is a five-time winner at the Hong Kong Film Awards and a three-time winner at the Golden Horse Film Awards.
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