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Tony Leung scores a first with ‘Golden Lion’ film honor
The award adds to the actor’s list of accolades, including previous wins at the Venice Film Festival, where films he starred in won Best Film.
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Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai poses for a photo during a press conference of the Asian Filmmaker of the Year for the 27th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) at KNN theatre in Busan on Oct. 6, 2022.
(AFP/Jung Yeong-je)
H
ong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai has won the esteemed “Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement” award at the 80th Venice Film Festival, becoming the first Chinese actor to have ever received the prestigious accolade.
His win drew widespread jubilation and acclaim, reflecting the global recognition of Hong Kong cinema and the city’s talented professionals.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Leung said he’s grateful for the nurturing of the movie industry in the special administrative region, and expressed appreciation of his wife, Carina Lau Kar-ling, who was present at the ceremony.
The actor dedicated the honor to the SAR’s film business, promising to share the award with all those who have helped him throughout his remarkable 41-year journey.
The “Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement” award adds to Leung’s long list of accolades, including his previous wins at the Venice Film Festival, at which films he starred in–such as Days of Being Wild, In the Mood for Love and Lust, Caution–had clinched the coveted “Golden Lion for Best Film” honor.
In the Mood for Love and Lust, Caution received the award on Saturday from renowned director Ang Lee, who helmed the widely acclaimed Lust, Caution.
Leung is set to play the role of a neuroscientist in a new movie, Silent Friend, to be directed by Hungarian screenwriter Ildikó Enyedi. Shooting of the film will begin in April next year.
Presenting the award to Leung, Lee praised the actor’s “remarkable talent” and “artistic contributions”. He said Leung’s ability to elevate every film of which he is a part has earned him numerous accolades and world recognition.
The director described Leung as “a director’s dream”, possessing a gaze that emanates a profound and soul-stirring essence. It is this depth and authenticity that sets Leung apart, transcending the boundaries of language and culture.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung congratulated Leung in March this year when it was announced the actor had won the “Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement” at the Venice Film Festival.
Yeung praised Leung as a widely recognized figure in Hong Kong’s entertainment sector, having made his mark in television before conquering the world of cinema with his exceptional acting skills, earning him numerous awards.
He commended the actor’s successful international career that has spanned several decades, during which he has continuously strived for artistic excellence, exemplifying the spirit of Hong Kong actors and the city’s cultural richness.
Yeung noted the recent string of international accolades received by Hong Kong cinema and its professionals, solidifying their global recognition.
He emphasized the SAR government’s commitment, in partnership with the Hong Kong Film Development Council, to provide comprehensive support for, and promote the continuous growth of the movie industry.
Lawmaker Benson Luk Hon-man, an advocate for Hong Kong’s film and television culture, highlighted the international recognition received by the city’s film industry and its talented actors.
He said Leung’s achievement as the first Chinese actor to receive such a prestigious film award underscores the industry’s global appeal. Luk also commended the consistent international recognition garnered by Hong Kong films and professionals, which reflects the industry’s standing in the international film community.
Luk urged the government to provide tax incentives to attract more foreign film and television companies to choose Hong Kong as a shooting and production location. Taking inspiration from successful models in countries like the United States, United Kingdom and South Korea, he suggested offering tax benefits to local film companies to encourage collaboration with overseas partners.
Such a strategic move would strengthen the SAR’s competitiveness and facilitate the production of movies, television dramas, documentaries, commercials and music videos, he said.
Luk also proposed setting up a performing arts training academy in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to invite experienced instructors from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland to provide comprehensive training for local youths.
Luk said by offering direct exposure to the mainland’s film, TV and Mandarin-language productions, the academy can create a professional pathway for Hong Kong’s young people to engage in the mainland’s thriving performing arts industry. It would also foster increased collaboration between the SAR and the mainland in the performing arts.
