Tatler Talks: Celebrating the indomitable actor Tony Leung

Hong Kong's cinematic icon Tony Leung Chiu-wai reflects on his celebrated career and more

There’s much to be said about Tony Leung Chiu-wai, but for a man of his calibre, no amount of words will be enough to do him any justice. Having had a career spanning several decades, Leung is undoubtedly an iconic figure. Well-loved for his remarkable versatility and intense on-screen presence, he has captivated audiences with his stellar performances in a wide range of roles, from romantic leads such as in 2000’s In the Mood for Love to complex characters in crime dramas such as 2002’s Infernal Affairs.

His roles are often profound, coupled with his ability to convey deep emotions with just a glance. It was this nuanced and emotive acting which earned him widespread acclaim and established him as one of the finest actors in the global film industry.

The 61-year-old has numerous awards to his name, including the prestigious Cannes Film Festival Best Actor award for In the Mood for Love. But as an unstoppable force that the world has recognised him to be, he would later go on to win the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival in 2023, which received a prolonged standing ovation as he was the first Chinese actor to have accomplished such a feat–and rightfully so.

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In speaking about receiving the highly coveted award, Leung smiles, “I’m thrilled. I feel like… after 40 years, people recognise and approve of my work, and I’m able to reap the rewards. I was nurtured by the Hong Kong film industry so the achievement is not mine alone–it also belongs to Hong Kong.”

Indeed, Leung’s journey from a young television actor to an international cinematic icon is a testament to his dedication, talent, and the transformative power of storytelling. “Starting my career in television was very important for me because it was a good foundation. I spent eight to ten years in television, learning to act and exploring different roles. My time in television gave me the opportunity to correct my mistakes, which really prepared me for the movies,” he reminisces.

Through his movies, he has captivated audiences with his magnetic performances and left an indelible mark on the hearts of moviegoers worldwide. In 2021, he became the first Hong Kong actor to star in a Marvel film–Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings–which shattered records at the box office battlefield. Something Leung didn’t expect but is appreciative of the nod to Asian representation.

Tony Leung at the The Goldfinger press conference

Above Leung at the press conference for “The Goldfinger” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

“I didn’t think Shang-Chi would be a success but I took on the role of Wenwu because I was moved by the director’s sincerity. Previously, in terms of Asians in Hollywood, I could only think of Bruce Lee. Now, there’s a lot more Asian representation and opportunities such as Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Hopefully, this will pave the way to allow more Asians to show the world what they can do as performers,” he says.

Last year, he collaborated once more with Infernal Affairs co-star Andy Lau Tak-wah in the financial drama film, The Goldfinger, for the first time in over two decades—it was a highly anticipated reunion.

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Leung explains, “I took this on because the script was very fresh to me. Not many people see me as a villain, so I wanted to challenge myself. I’ve never dealt with the subject of corruption before but I’ve always been fascinated by why it happens and why such people exist. It must be more than just the money. There must be other factors that contribute to the issue.”

“To get into the character of Henry Ching, I watched documentaries and researched corruption. Initially, I didn’t know what a Ponzi or pyramid scheme was. I tried to get into these people’s mindset because they didn’t see anything wrong with cheating others. I also watched movies on corruption to study how other actors approached playing villains,” he adds.

I daren’t say I’m a good actor but I work hard to do my best to ensure that I perform well.

- Tony Leung -

On sharing the screen with Lau again, Leung only has praises for his co-star. “I feel like we’ve both grown and matured as human beings as well as professional actors. We’ve been through different chapters of our lives. Lau’s performance is more sophisticated this time. He has improved a lot and could capture the nuances,” he shares.

In 2006, Martin Scorsese famously adapted Infernal Affairs as The Departed, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture as well as Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay–a testament to the significance of Hong Kong cinema and its influence in the Western world.

“The 80s and 90s of Hong Kong cinema were the glory days and directors such as Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino were heavily influenced by those 20 years. It impacted how they approached action in their works. But I think Hong Kong cinema is shrinking and struggling to find more audiences. Perhaps we need to stream more of our content to reach a wider audience,” he suggests.

“I hope to work with writers and directors from other countries. Being a Hong Kong actor, I’m still very much connected to Hong Kong cinema but hopefully, my presence in non-Hong Kong movies will pique people’s interest in Hong Kong cinema.”

Above Leung, one of Asia's most successful and internationally recognised actors

One can only anticipate the brilliance this cinematic maestro will bring to the screen in the years to come. Leung will only continue to evolve as an actor and his legacy in the film industry will be firmly established. As the saying goes, “The man, the myth, the legend.” and he truly is.

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