from Lesliepillow
LL ABOUT LESLIE - THE INTERVIEW
Family background
“First of all, let me ask you something about your family background”
“I was born in a middle-class family. My father was a famous tailor and had once been very rich. Maybe for the reason that he came from Mainland China, he did not trust HK. He brought his money back to China but unfortunately all his money was lost as a result of the Cultural Revolution.”
“How do you describe your father?”
“I only have a faint memory of my father. I did not live with my parents as they were too busy to take care of us. They rented an apartment near Central for the children and we were staying together with our grandmother.”
“So your grandmother was the one who was taking care of you”
“No, my grandmother was getting aged. I was taken care of by a nanny called Luk Che”.
“What do you think about Luk Che?”
“Luk Che is the greatest woman in the world. Her love for us is unconditional. She loves me very much. I’ve never met a woman like Luk Che ever since.”
“How did she live on when she was getting old?”
“I bought her a house, she lived there and died at 80 in the year 1990.”
“In your childhood memory, is there anything impressed upon you that you’ll never forget?”
“I can still remember the day when my grandmother died. I was only 6. That day, when I came home from school I saw her sitting in the same armchair as she did every day, passed away quietly. She could not move a few years ago before she died.”
“What about your brothers and sisters?”
“I was the youngest among the 10 siblings. My third brother, fourth sister and ninth brother were dying young. So actually I only got six brothers and sisters. My ninth brother and I was born on ‘same date, same month’. So I was always regarded as the ‘reincarnation’ of my ninth brother. My parents were very busy and did not like to have children hanging around. There is nothing particular I can remember about my childhood.”
“How do you describe yourself as a child?”
“Somewhat weird, not really like a kid. I was quiet and in fact nobody to talk to. Sometimes I felt I was completely ignored, very lonely.”
“Did you play with children from the neighbourhood?”
“My parents were very strict on me. I was not allowed to play around with children from the neighborhood because they did not want me to be treated like lower class children.”
Parents
“It seems that you don’t have any fond memories of your parents”
“Maybe it’s our fate. My father and I only lived together for five days during a Spring Festival but he was drunk for three days. Family love and warmth is something very far away from me. They were more like friends than parents to me.”
“When did your father die?”
“In 1989, the year I announced my retirement from the showbiz, he died while I was on the world tour doing my farewell concerts.”
“What about your mother?” (Madam Cheung passed away on 18/10/98)
“When compared with my father I feel closer to my mother. She stayed with me for half a year at my apartment in Repulse Bay. That was year 1988. But, you know, we’d been separated for such a long time it’s hard to have that kind of mother and son close relationship all of a sudden. I tried my best to bridge the gap but failed in the end. At that time my mother was breaking up with my father. She was very sad and emotionally unstable. She was very dependent on my father. There was nothing I could do to make her happy.”
“But comparing with your father, you seemed to have a kind of special feeling for your mother?”
“Yes, it is. All along I thought it was my father’s idea to send me abroad to study. Until after my mother passed away, my uncle told me she suggested to my father and pleaded him many times for sending me to England for studies. For this I’m truly grateful to her.”
“Did your mother’s death bring back all your memories?”
“Actually they’re not just memories. I had once thought I would get over very soon but in fact I couldn’t. I realize that she’s really important to me.”
“Did you regret for not doing any better?”
“I have done my best, and I’m sure my mother would feel the same. Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned. I believe in fate. We both felt we needed each other a few years before she died. But it’s too late. It’s our fate, nobody can change it”, he said after a short pause.
First love
“Can you tell us about your first love, how did she look like?”
“When I was 13, actually I don’t know if I should call it my first love. She is quite good looking, slim, sporty, a bit arrogant, I like that kind of look. We knew each other for a short time and then I went to England for my study. We met again in HK three years later. We then had a trip to Macau. At that very trip I had my first sexual experience, at the age of 16.”
“Do you think it’s too early?”
“Maybe. But at that time we were so in love. It’s so natural”
“Do you mean you’re not in love any more?”
“Maybe I should put it this way. We had many differences, different way of thinking, different values in life. She is now married to one of my classmates and they have kids too. We met last year, had a little chat, that’s all.”
“Do you still think about her?”
“No, no. She seems to be living abroad now.”
“I thought you must be the adoration of girls at school”
“No, I don’t think so”, he said definitely. “Though the other boys go for the girls, I only go for sports like tennis...”
“Do you mean you’re an introvert?”
“Maybe. At least not an extrovert (laugh).”
Dream occupation
He had always dreamed of being a doctor or a pilot. But his hand-shaking problem (inherited from his father) and the fact that he is an acrophobia both extinguished his childhood dream of life as a pilot or doctor.
“In that case, if I’m asking it now, what would you like to do?”
“Interior designer or a critic on arts. Also, I very much hope to be a talented pianist. I think piano is a very great invention. It helps to ease your tension while you’re playing the piano.”
“You can learn to play it now, it’s not too late”
“No, no. I forgot to tell you something. When I was 22 I had an operation to remove the lumps on my left hand. There were two lumps near the bone inside my left hand wrist. My left hand became shorter and weaker than before. It took a long period of physiotherapy treatment to balance the two hands.”
School Days in England
“You went to England at the age of 13. Do you wish to study abroad or is it the wish of your parents?”
“It’s my wish. I was doing pretty well at primary school but when I was in secondary school I found mathematics extremely difficult for me. People said it’s easier for me if I could study abroad, so I went to England. I was interested in music and arts subject like English Literature. I like the work of D.H. Lawrence and Shakespeare. In Hong Kong I had won prizes in recital competitions. I know my strength and weakness.”
“You said you want to be an interior designer, don’t you think it would be difficult if you are not good at mathematics?”
“Yes, certainly. I think what I can do at most is interior decorating that sort of things.”
“You’re not studying Arts at University?”
“I studied Textiles. It’s my father’s wish. He wanted me to follow his footstep and take over his business. But I hadn’t finished my study because he had a stroke and become half paralysed therefore I had to return home and drop my studies.”
Being a singer and idol
“After returning to Hong Kong, you joined the singing contest organized by the then RTV (the forerunner of ATV), can you tell us something about it?”
“While I was studying in England I often sing in my friend’s restaurant. After returning to Hong Kong I joined the singing contest simply for fun. I did not have the least idea to be a singer.”
“But you became second and signed up with RTV...”
“Yes, but I did not rise to instant fame. I was ignored by the audience until the release of my hit album “Monica” in 1983. I wore singlet and jeans on stage, no one else did it. It was not the style at that time. Maybe my baby-faced look also a drawback.”
“Are there any miserable moments or unforgettable experiences?”
“Many. I remember on one occasion I was performing on stage with some other singers many years ago. After singing a fast number I threw my hat to the audience as a gesture of thanks, they jeered at me and threw it back to the stage. That’s too much (laugh).” He sounded now like talking about someone’s story but at that time he was really hurt.
“Turning to your acting career, you’re cast in leading role in your first film. Do you have an interest in acting?”
“Yes I did. I count myself quite lucky in the sense that I was offered a leading role even in the first movie. If my memory did not fail me, it was made in 1979, a comedy with some love scenes. In my early years I did not have much choice of the role and would accept any role simply to earn for a living. Some of them were not so good but I did not regret coz this is life and it takes time for me to grow up.”
“Is there any of your movies which you never want to see it again?”
“No. These movies only brought back memories of my hard times. At that time I always thought it would be nice if I could have $1,000 in my bank account.”
“You’d been struggling for seven years. Have you thought of giving up?”
“No. I know you have to take it slowly in the business. At that time it normally took about 10 years to reach fame.”
“Do you have confidence that you’d be a big star one day?”
“Well, I wasn’t sure. I was looking for every opportunity but I knew it for sure to be successful you must have your own distinct qualities.”
“I understand that Japanese music had a strong impact on Hong Kong music scene, is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s true. My music was very much influenced by Japanese music and Japanese singers, especially Mamoe Yumaguchi ‘Wind Continues to Blow’ is the cover version of Mamoe’s 'Last Song for You' which won me the first Golden Disc Award. It is now being displayed in my coffee shop.”
“You had finally made a name and became an idol. How do you describe your life as an idol?”
“Busy, being an actor and singer, I was very busy taking part in all sorts of promotional activities. I didn’t want to miss any singing or acting opportunities too. I would call myself an 'hungry artist', taking on as many jobs as possible be they TV commercials or touring overseas. I was stressing myself too much...”
“It’s not easy to be an idol”, he said “Sometimes you have to suit your style to the audience. In the end you will lose your own self.”
Retreat and come back
“In the year 1989, you retreated from the showbiz when you reached the peak of your career. Was it because you’re tired of the life of an idol?”
“Yes. The rule of the game is too harsh. There was also the tense competition with Alan Tam. People were comparing us not only with our songs but everything. I think the media is getting ‘unhealthy’ but we can’t do without it. Maybe I’m too ‘childish’ at that time. I got angry whenever there’s any bad press on me. So I really want to get off from everything and have a quiet life.”
“People said Mamoe Yamaguchi had a great influence on your decision to quit”
“Yes, to certain extent. She left the showbiz to get married and retired as a superstar. I think she’s brave. I’d once talked to Anita Mui that the best time to leave is when you sense the peak of your career. If not, you’ve to broaden your image and to try different things. If you did the same thing all the time, how quickly would people get bored?”
“After your retirement you emigrated to Canada. What are the reasons for that?
“It’s partly because of the political changeover of Hong Kong and on the other hand I love Vancouver very much. It’s a beautiful and quiet place, a perfect ‘refuge’ from the fierce competition...”
“But you’re back within a year...”
“Yes, something was missing. I was only 33, too young to retire. Have you read the book 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being'. That’s it. Everyday was the same, no one cared about you and nobody to care for. I felt very relaxed but at the same time there was no sense of being. My days in Canada made me realize that I’m a workaholic.”
“Do you miss the showbiz?”
“Yes, we in showbiz are like drug addicts. When you make a success, fortune, fame and status will follow. It’s a painstaking task to sustain your popularity but to quit is equally no easy job.”
“So, you’re back with a completely new look from an idol”
“I think I’m too old to be an idol. I take it more easy with my work now. I am working for enjoyment rather than for survival. I like it very much.”
Mr Tong
“Do you think you are suitable for the entertainment circle by character?”
“Probably yes. I don’t like a stable job. Of course, being an artist, at times you’ll be very unhappy when someone is prying into your privacy.”
“Are you annoyed by scandals?”
“I feel better now because I know my fans will trust me and do not believe all those rumours. People tend to believe what they choose to believe. After all there is nothing you can do to explain.”
“But sometimes it did make you unhappy...”
“Yes, of course. For example, the media report on my mother’s funeral was focused on Mr Tong. I thought it’s very unfair. They didn’t even pay the least respect to my mother. I don’t care what they said about me but they should not bother my friends and family members. I think I had the right to protect them.”
“Can you tell us your relationship with Mr Tong?”
“He is my best friend. He’s also like my younger brother, a person whom I can trust and talk to. I think I should be grateful to him for the rest of my life. When I was at the most difficult time many years ago, I needed quite a large sum of money for some urgent reasons. He lend me the money without a word. Later on I learned it from friends that he had to sacrifice for cheaper lunch boxes for several months. He is the only guy who could stand by me at my difficult time. I would treat him as my life long friend. He is not only a friend but my very special and important friend.”
“The media has always been making up stories about your relationship with Mr Tong. How do you feel about it?”
“Very disgusting. He is an office worker. The reporters followed him and took pictures on him in a way upsetting his work. I really feel sorry about it.”
Love and marriage
“Let’s talk about yourself. People consider you a ‘Man of Mystery’ and that’s where your charm comes from...?”
“I think it’s because I’m rather low profile and I always want to stay in privacy. But that doesn’t mean I am hiding away from people. That’s why I want to have my own coffee shop, a place to meet my fans, where they can ask for an autograph and take pictures with me. My door is always open. But on the other hand I don’t want to disclose my private life. People used to ask me ‘why don’t you get married?’. I think that’s very personal and I’m not obliged to answer.”
“But your fans were eager to know. Why a charming man like you don’t or don’t you want to get married?”
“Really?(laugh). Frankly speaking I don’t trust marriage. My brothers and sisters are divorced. My parents are not getting along well. Maybe I won’t get married but I want to have a home of my own, a place to relax, where I can decorate it to my liking.”
“Have you thought of getting married?”
“Yes, when I was 22. The girl was a little older than me. We thought about getting married. I was serious. But somehow she suffered a nervous breakdown. I don’t know why. Well, we’re young anyway... After all it’s a sad ending.”
“So, don’t want to get married afterwards?”
“No. Maybe I’m very demanding, both on myself and others. When people are happy with a grade B, I can never be contented unless I get an A. Tong used to call me a perfectionist. Sometimes when everybody thinks that it is very good, it still cannot satisfy me. I don’t think I can lower my requirement to compromise.”
“Does this apply to a woman?”
“Well, when I love a woman, I tend to expect too much on her. Then I’ll get disappointed. I’m 42 now. I have already passed the impressionable age and will not act on impulse.”
“But I’m sure you should have many admirers”
“I don’t know. It’s not easy to fall in love at my age. If someone told me ‘I love you”, I’ll ask ‘Why?’ (laugh). Besides love, we’ve to understand each other. I’ll think about our future, our character, our lifestyle, things like that would come to my mind. Like my mother, it took some time for us to understand each other when we come to live together. Of course, it’s perfect if both of us are deeply in love and can understand each other.”
“You mean spiritual love is very important?”
“Yes, spiritual love is more important than sex. Of course, I won’t deny the importance of sex (laugh).”
“So, let me ask you ‘Who do you love the most?’”
“First of all it’s ‘myself’. Other than me, well, I think when I really love someone, I won’t care it’s a man or woman”
“Do you mean you are bisexual?”
“What I mean is, when two people are in love, it is only love that matters.”
As a 'Star'
“In your concert and movies like 'Farewell to My Concubine' and 'Happy Together' you have demonstrated your gender-bent attraction to your audience, are you trying to deliver a certain message?”
“No, there is nothing to do with it. When Chen Kaige approached me for the movie ‘Farewell to my Concubine’ he said that I was always typecast in certain roles. He wanted to treat me as a serious actor and thought that I could take on a feminine role.”
“As for ‘Happy Together’, homosexual was a hot topic at that time in Hong Kong. I thought it might be interesting for me to play a homosexual. And in my concert, I wanted to have a little excitement. Wearing red high heel was the idea of the art director. It caused a sensation when David Bowie did it years before. He thought it might be a good idea if we could bring it to Asia. In fact I wanted to do something of a Peking Opera but there’s the problem of make-up and costumes changes. So I tried to think of something else based on the song ‘Red’, maybe wearing lipstick. But the audience were too far away from stage, they might not be able to see it clearly. So, it ended up with red high heel and red lipstick.”
“In your concert and some of your movies, you give us the impression that you’re egocentric and sometimes narcissistic. What do you think about it?”
“Yes, I agree that some of the characters I played are very self-centre. Well, as for myself, what can I say... (after a long pause). I always want to give my best to the audience whether in concert or in my movie. But when I’m not working, I don’t really care too much about my look. You cannot find any of my pictures in my house and I seldom look at the mirror.”
“But the fact is you really look handsome. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you think about it?”
“wow, what a handsome guy!”, he exploded in laughter. “No, it’s just kidding. I don’t think I can comment on my look. It’s so familiar to me.”
“In my early days, I used to be called 'cool' or 'arrogant' etc. Actually I am outspoken and forthcoming. Maybe this is the cause of trouble. But this has nothing to do with narcissism.”
“People used to describe you as 'cute', 'smart', 'sexy', which do you like best?”
“As for my fans, I’ll be glad and take all these with compliments, but for my friends I would not be pleased if they only pay attention to my appearance.”
“What do you prefer to be called then?”
“‘Good guy’, I think that sounds better.”
“You are a ‘Star’ in our eyes, is ‘Star’ a role you’re playing or is it your true self?”
“What a difficult question! I haven’t thought about this before. I don’t think I’m playing any role. I should say it’s my true self. I, myself, and Leslie as an actor are overlapping. I must say I have the qualities and talent of being a star.”
“Like a kaleidoscope, a man has many faces. But the media and the audience can only see a small part of us. They will judge from what they see, sometimes they’re misled. Our fans like to associate us with fairy tales and the media tend to exaggerate and make up headlines.”
“Being a superstar you’re under severe pressure, how do you manage to relieve your tension?”
“You must learn to relax. I love to travel. I’ll go to places where nobody knows about me. My favourite spots these days are ‘hot springs’.”
“You’ve fame, wealth, good look, charm and status. It’s everybody’s dream, what do you think you’re not good enough?”
“Maybe, my academic qualification”, he said after a short silence. “I very much hope I could have finished my university study, and if possible, get a doctorate degree. There’s so much to learn from in the school days.”
As an actor
“Do you like watching your movies over and over again or you seldom watch them?”
“I think it’s the latter. Every time I see my movie again, I keep on criticising my performance ‘that’s not good enough’, or ‘this could be better’. Because when I’m acting I’ll immerse myself in the role that I can’t see things subjectively. Mistakes are inevitable. Anyway you can’t change it.”
“Among all the characters you played, is there any performance you think ‘That’s Perfect!’?”
“None.”, he said without hesitation. “I always thought I could give a better performance if I got a second chance to do it.”
“You’ve made significant improvements in your acting, especially in romantic dramas, is it because of your life experience or the effort you made?”
“Really, great improvement in romances (laugh)?. Life experience did help a lot. But more importantly you need constant practice. Like saving money in a bank, there comes a day you’ll be rich. Of course, besides working hard there are other factors, say, an inspiring director.”
“You’ve a unique style that we can recognize you even if we can only see your back, did you practise it every day or it’s your natural way?”
“I just did it naturally. As for acting, I don’t think there are theories in acting. Some actors or actresses thought they look best in certain angle but I don’t like to do it that way. I just want to be natural, like what I’m doing every day.”
“When we’re making movies sometimes we need to do one shot repeatedly over and over again. It would be better if I can do it the same way for consistency and for easy editing but sometimes I’ll get bored. In that case I’ll try different ways to give different takes.”
“Anyway there should be some differences between those ‘good’ and ‘not so good’ actors”
“Good actors are those ‘gifted’ and possess excellent acting skills. They have a unique style. ou don’t think they’re ‘acting’ but would treat them as the characters they’re playing. Average actors meaning those who are not so talented, usually they don’t like challenges. That’s why their performances are neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’. No surprises and nothing impressive at all. Sometimes they’re just ‘copying’ from others.”
“It seems that your co-starring actresses are getting younger and younger, do you feel the generation gap?”
“Yes, I think so (laugh). Frankly speaking, I feel more like a tutor than a co-worker these days. But the fact is I look younger than my age. It doesn’t seem a good match if I’m co-starring with actresses of my age.”
Movies
“Among all the characters you played, which one is the most difficult?”
“I think it’s ‘Ho Po Wing’ in ‘Happy Together’. At the time of shooting I was not feeling well and had to make preparations for my concert. Wong Kar-wai did not have any script and we worked under a tight schedule. There were some other problems too. ‘Ho’ is an unpleasant character that most people would hate him. So I have added something to this character to make ‘Ho’ more than just an disgusting fellow. Anyway even if I give a great performance I still worry about the audience reaction.”
“You’ve successfully portrayed the character of ‘Ho’ and that’s why you’d been nominated for Best Actor in the HK Film Award and the Golden Horse Award”
“It’s a bit of a surprise. I don’t think I’m qualified for the category of ‘Best Actor’ coz mine is not a leading role.”
“Do you mean that you’re well-deserved for the awards for ‘Days of Being Wild’ and ‘Ashes of Times’?”
“This is not for me to say. If you asked me which movie should deserve an award I would say ‘Farewell to My Concubine’. It won a Cannes Award and was widely received by the critics and audience in Japan.”
“As compared with the character ‘Ho Po Wing’ in ‘Happy Together’, is it easier to handle the character ‘Cheng Dieyi’ in ‘Farewell to my Concubine’?”
“Yes, I prefer the character in ‘Farewell to my Concubine’. Cheng Deiyi devoted his life to arts and is loyal to his lover. I can share his feelings. The only difficulty for me is to master Beijing dialect and the opera moves in a short time. Anyway, this is a truly memorable movie.”
“In “He’s a Woman, She’s a Man’ you played the character ‘Sam Koo’ who is also in the show business, most of your fans thought that you really are the character you played”
“No, I’m not a composer in the first place, nor can I play piano. Maybe we’ve something in common, for example, our lifestyle, and that we’re stubborn in some way. Also, I am phobic about being trapped in the lift. That’s my true reaction in the film.”
“Oh, really, no wonder it looks so real in that scene. But when I’m talking to you face to face, I must say you and ‘Sam’ are very much alike.”
“I think ‘Sam’ has perhaps much in common with Peter Chan, the director.”
Directors
“You’d been working with Chen Kaige for two movies 'Farewell My Concubine' and 'Temptress Moon' I think he appreciates your talents very much”
“Yes, he loves to work with me. Our last movie ‘Temptress Moon’, the script was ‘tailored made’ for me.”
“I heard that you had once been cast in Chen’s recent movie ‘The Emperor and the Assassin’”
“Yes, but it happened to crash with my world-wide singing tour and that filming was expected to last for a year. On the other hand, the ‘First Emperor’, the role I’m supposed to play, is a tall and muscular figure in the eyes of the Chinese, which differs greatly from my image.”
“In the movies of Wong Kar-wai and Tsui Hark, you were often projected in an entirely different image, is it because they have a different impression on you?”
“Maybe they view me from different angles. It’s also because of the script, the contents of the films are different. Wong’s movie world is very unique, isolated and unreal. Even the stories are set at different time and space they look the same. Whereas Tsui, he likes to put his political philosophy in his films and there is often hope and a bright future.”
“During the shooting of your latest movie, we were surprised to learn that you did not need any guidance or explanation from the director, is it often the case?”
“Basically yes, that’s why some directors may find it hard at the beginning because in their view actors should follow their instruction. But after we work together for a short time they’ll agree to the way I handle the role and seldom correct my acting. Of course, sometimes we have different opinions and disagreement. But we have a common goal which is to make a good film and I am doing my best in every film.”
“In that case, you mean you don’t need a director”
“No, that’s impossible. I need expert advice from someone as a ‘third person’, that ‘third person’ is the director. Although we may have different opinions, it doesn’t matter at all because it is sometimes necessary for a good movie.”
“I consider myself very lucky to have worked with so many brilliant directors such as John Woo, Chen Kaige, Wong Kar-wai, Peter Chan and Jacob Cheung. I think nothing can make me happier than they consider me a good actor.”
“Anyway, whether a movie is good or not is to a great extent the result of the director. A movie is like a treasure and the director is the key. Whether you can get the treasure from the treasure house is dependent upon the director. Therefore my next goal is to be a director.”
Future plan
“Are you planning to direct your debut movie?”
“Yes, but I haven’t decided yet the content of the movie.”
“Who would be the leading actress? Do you have any names in mind?”
“Karen Mok and Shu Kei. They are very promising actresses.”
“Your fans are worrying that when you become a director you will no longer star in movies, how do you plan your work as a director, actor and singer?”
“I think I would adjust my singing schedule, make one to two albums a year while I can enjoy singing and at the same time satisfy my fans.”
“I am not going to act in my first two movies, just direct. When I get on to it I may consider acting as well, like Robert Redford.”
“We feel better now. Among all the movies you’ve seen, except HK movies, is there any particular role you’re interested in playing?”
“In ‘A Few Good Men’ Jack Nicholson plays a very disgusting but kindhearted fellow. I think it could be an interesting role for me.”
“What about the other character, that very special gay painter?”
“No, I don’t like it.” (laugh)
“Is there any role you think you cannot handle?”
“Jackie Chan’s role.” (laugh)
“Someone says you won’t star in comedy any more, is that true?”
“No, I like comedy. It’s not a bad idea if I can direct one myself.”
“Would you tell me something about the musical “A Chinese Ghost Story”?
“I am interested in making a musical. It’s a great challenge for me. It would give me added pleasure if it proves to be a success. I pick the 'Chinese Ghost Story' because we can have plenty of visual effects. A musical is a combination of visuals and sounds, they’re complementing each other...”
Family background
“First of all, let me ask you something about your family background”
“I was born in a middle-class family. My father was a famous tailor and had once been very rich. Maybe for the reason that he came from Mainland China, he did not trust HK. He brought his money back to China but unfortunately all his money was lost as a result of the Cultural Revolution.”
“How do you describe your father?”
“I only have a faint memory of my father. I did not live with my parents as they were too busy to take care of us. They rented an apartment near Central for the children and we were staying together with our grandmother.”
“So your grandmother was the one who was taking care of you”
“No, my grandmother was getting aged. I was taken care of by a nanny called Luk Che”.
“What do you think about Luk Che?”
“Luk Che is the greatest woman in the world. Her love for us is unconditional. She loves me very much. I’ve never met a woman like Luk Che ever since.”
“How did she live on when she was getting old?”
“I bought her a house, she lived there and died at 80 in the year 1990.”
“In your childhood memory, is there anything impressed upon you that you’ll never forget?”
“I can still remember the day when my grandmother died. I was only 6. That day, when I came home from school I saw her sitting in the same armchair as she did every day, passed away quietly. She could not move a few years ago before she died.”
“What about your brothers and sisters?”
“I was the youngest among the 10 siblings. My third brother, fourth sister and ninth brother were dying young. So actually I only got six brothers and sisters. My ninth brother and I was born on ‘same date, same month’. So I was always regarded as the ‘reincarnation’ of my ninth brother. My parents were very busy and did not like to have children hanging around. There is nothing particular I can remember about my childhood.”
“How do you describe yourself as a child?”
“Somewhat weird, not really like a kid. I was quiet and in fact nobody to talk to. Sometimes I felt I was completely ignored, very lonely.”
“Did you play with children from the neighbourhood?”
“My parents were very strict on me. I was not allowed to play around with children from the neighborhood because they did not want me to be treated like lower class children.”
Parents
“It seems that you don’t have any fond memories of your parents”
“Maybe it’s our fate. My father and I only lived together for five days during a Spring Festival but he was drunk for three days. Family love and warmth is something very far away from me. They were more like friends than parents to me.”
“When did your father die?”
“In 1989, the year I announced my retirement from the showbiz, he died while I was on the world tour doing my farewell concerts.”
“What about your mother?” (Madam Cheung passed away on 18/10/98)
“When compared with my father I feel closer to my mother. She stayed with me for half a year at my apartment in Repulse Bay. That was year 1988. But, you know, we’d been separated for such a long time it’s hard to have that kind of mother and son close relationship all of a sudden. I tried my best to bridge the gap but failed in the end. At that time my mother was breaking up with my father. She was very sad and emotionally unstable. She was very dependent on my father. There was nothing I could do to make her happy.”
“But comparing with your father, you seemed to have a kind of special feeling for your mother?”
“Yes, it is. All along I thought it was my father’s idea to send me abroad to study. Until after my mother passed away, my uncle told me she suggested to my father and pleaded him many times for sending me to England for studies. For this I’m truly grateful to her.”
“Did your mother’s death bring back all your memories?”
“Actually they’re not just memories. I had once thought I would get over very soon but in fact I couldn’t. I realize that she’s really important to me.”
“Did you regret for not doing any better?”
“I have done my best, and I’m sure my mother would feel the same. Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned. I believe in fate. We both felt we needed each other a few years before she died. But it’s too late. It’s our fate, nobody can change it”, he said after a short pause.
First love
“Can you tell us about your first love, how did she look like?”
“When I was 13, actually I don’t know if I should call it my first love. She is quite good looking, slim, sporty, a bit arrogant, I like that kind of look. We knew each other for a short time and then I went to England for my study. We met again in HK three years later. We then had a trip to Macau. At that very trip I had my first sexual experience, at the age of 16.”
“Do you think it’s too early?”
“Maybe. But at that time we were so in love. It’s so natural”
“Do you mean you’re not in love any more?”
“Maybe I should put it this way. We had many differences, different way of thinking, different values in life. She is now married to one of my classmates and they have kids too. We met last year, had a little chat, that’s all.”
“Do you still think about her?”
“No, no. She seems to be living abroad now.”
“I thought you must be the adoration of girls at school”
“No, I don’t think so”, he said definitely. “Though the other boys go for the girls, I only go for sports like tennis...”
“Do you mean you’re an introvert?”
“Maybe. At least not an extrovert (laugh).”
Dream occupation
He had always dreamed of being a doctor or a pilot. But his hand-shaking problem (inherited from his father) and the fact that he is an acrophobia both extinguished his childhood dream of life as a pilot or doctor.
“In that case, if I’m asking it now, what would you like to do?”
“Interior designer or a critic on arts. Also, I very much hope to be a talented pianist. I think piano is a very great invention. It helps to ease your tension while you’re playing the piano.”
“You can learn to play it now, it’s not too late”
“No, no. I forgot to tell you something. When I was 22 I had an operation to remove the lumps on my left hand. There were two lumps near the bone inside my left hand wrist. My left hand became shorter and weaker than before. It took a long period of physiotherapy treatment to balance the two hands.”
School Days in England
“You went to England at the age of 13. Do you wish to study abroad or is it the wish of your parents?”
“It’s my wish. I was doing pretty well at primary school but when I was in secondary school I found mathematics extremely difficult for me. People said it’s easier for me if I could study abroad, so I went to England. I was interested in music and arts subject like English Literature. I like the work of D.H. Lawrence and Shakespeare. In Hong Kong I had won prizes in recital competitions. I know my strength and weakness.”
“You said you want to be an interior designer, don’t you think it would be difficult if you are not good at mathematics?”
“Yes, certainly. I think what I can do at most is interior decorating that sort of things.”
“You’re not studying Arts at University?”
“I studied Textiles. It’s my father’s wish. He wanted me to follow his footstep and take over his business. But I hadn’t finished my study because he had a stroke and become half paralysed therefore I had to return home and drop my studies.”
Being a singer and idol
“After returning to Hong Kong, you joined the singing contest organized by the then RTV (the forerunner of ATV), can you tell us something about it?”
“While I was studying in England I often sing in my friend’s restaurant. After returning to Hong Kong I joined the singing contest simply for fun. I did not have the least idea to be a singer.”
“But you became second and signed up with RTV...”
“Yes, but I did not rise to instant fame. I was ignored by the audience until the release of my hit album “Monica” in 1983. I wore singlet and jeans on stage, no one else did it. It was not the style at that time. Maybe my baby-faced look also a drawback.”
“Are there any miserable moments or unforgettable experiences?”
“Many. I remember on one occasion I was performing on stage with some other singers many years ago. After singing a fast number I threw my hat to the audience as a gesture of thanks, they jeered at me and threw it back to the stage. That’s too much (laugh).” He sounded now like talking about someone’s story but at that time he was really hurt.
“Turning to your acting career, you’re cast in leading role in your first film. Do you have an interest in acting?”
“Yes I did. I count myself quite lucky in the sense that I was offered a leading role even in the first movie. If my memory did not fail me, it was made in 1979, a comedy with some love scenes. In my early years I did not have much choice of the role and would accept any role simply to earn for a living. Some of them were not so good but I did not regret coz this is life and it takes time for me to grow up.”
“Is there any of your movies which you never want to see it again?”
“No. These movies only brought back memories of my hard times. At that time I always thought it would be nice if I could have $1,000 in my bank account.”
“You’d been struggling for seven years. Have you thought of giving up?”
“No. I know you have to take it slowly in the business. At that time it normally took about 10 years to reach fame.”
“Do you have confidence that you’d be a big star one day?”
“Well, I wasn’t sure. I was looking for every opportunity but I knew it for sure to be successful you must have your own distinct qualities.”
“I understand that Japanese music had a strong impact on Hong Kong music scene, is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s true. My music was very much influenced by Japanese music and Japanese singers, especially Mamoe Yumaguchi ‘Wind Continues to Blow’ is the cover version of Mamoe’s 'Last Song for You' which won me the first Golden Disc Award. It is now being displayed in my coffee shop.”
“You had finally made a name and became an idol. How do you describe your life as an idol?”
“Busy, being an actor and singer, I was very busy taking part in all sorts of promotional activities. I didn’t want to miss any singing or acting opportunities too. I would call myself an 'hungry artist', taking on as many jobs as possible be they TV commercials or touring overseas. I was stressing myself too much...”
“It’s not easy to be an idol”, he said “Sometimes you have to suit your style to the audience. In the end you will lose your own self.”
Retreat and come back
“In the year 1989, you retreated from the showbiz when you reached the peak of your career. Was it because you’re tired of the life of an idol?”
“Yes. The rule of the game is too harsh. There was also the tense competition with Alan Tam. People were comparing us not only with our songs but everything. I think the media is getting ‘unhealthy’ but we can’t do without it. Maybe I’m too ‘childish’ at that time. I got angry whenever there’s any bad press on me. So I really want to get off from everything and have a quiet life.”
“People said Mamoe Yamaguchi had a great influence on your decision to quit”
“Yes, to certain extent. She left the showbiz to get married and retired as a superstar. I think she’s brave. I’d once talked to Anita Mui that the best time to leave is when you sense the peak of your career. If not, you’ve to broaden your image and to try different things. If you did the same thing all the time, how quickly would people get bored?”
“After your retirement you emigrated to Canada. What are the reasons for that?
“It’s partly because of the political changeover of Hong Kong and on the other hand I love Vancouver very much. It’s a beautiful and quiet place, a perfect ‘refuge’ from the fierce competition...”
“But you’re back within a year...”
“Yes, something was missing. I was only 33, too young to retire. Have you read the book 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being'. That’s it. Everyday was the same, no one cared about you and nobody to care for. I felt very relaxed but at the same time there was no sense of being. My days in Canada made me realize that I’m a workaholic.”
“Do you miss the showbiz?”
“Yes, we in showbiz are like drug addicts. When you make a success, fortune, fame and status will follow. It’s a painstaking task to sustain your popularity but to quit is equally no easy job.”
“So, you’re back with a completely new look from an idol”
“I think I’m too old to be an idol. I take it more easy with my work now. I am working for enjoyment rather than for survival. I like it very much.”
Mr Tong
“Do you think you are suitable for the entertainment circle by character?”
“Probably yes. I don’t like a stable job. Of course, being an artist, at times you’ll be very unhappy when someone is prying into your privacy.”
“Are you annoyed by scandals?”
“I feel better now because I know my fans will trust me and do not believe all those rumours. People tend to believe what they choose to believe. After all there is nothing you can do to explain.”
“But sometimes it did make you unhappy...”
“Yes, of course. For example, the media report on my mother’s funeral was focused on Mr Tong. I thought it’s very unfair. They didn’t even pay the least respect to my mother. I don’t care what they said about me but they should not bother my friends and family members. I think I had the right to protect them.”
“Can you tell us your relationship with Mr Tong?”
“He is my best friend. He’s also like my younger brother, a person whom I can trust and talk to. I think I should be grateful to him for the rest of my life. When I was at the most difficult time many years ago, I needed quite a large sum of money for some urgent reasons. He lend me the money without a word. Later on I learned it from friends that he had to sacrifice for cheaper lunch boxes for several months. He is the only guy who could stand by me at my difficult time. I would treat him as my life long friend. He is not only a friend but my very special and important friend.”
“The media has always been making up stories about your relationship with Mr Tong. How do you feel about it?”
“Very disgusting. He is an office worker. The reporters followed him and took pictures on him in a way upsetting his work. I really feel sorry about it.”
Love and marriage
“Let’s talk about yourself. People consider you a ‘Man of Mystery’ and that’s where your charm comes from...?”
“I think it’s because I’m rather low profile and I always want to stay in privacy. But that doesn’t mean I am hiding away from people. That’s why I want to have my own coffee shop, a place to meet my fans, where they can ask for an autograph and take pictures with me. My door is always open. But on the other hand I don’t want to disclose my private life. People used to ask me ‘why don’t you get married?’. I think that’s very personal and I’m not obliged to answer.”
“But your fans were eager to know. Why a charming man like you don’t or don’t you want to get married?”
“Really?(laugh). Frankly speaking I don’t trust marriage. My brothers and sisters are divorced. My parents are not getting along well. Maybe I won’t get married but I want to have a home of my own, a place to relax, where I can decorate it to my liking.”
“Have you thought of getting married?”
“Yes, when I was 22. The girl was a little older than me. We thought about getting married. I was serious. But somehow she suffered a nervous breakdown. I don’t know why. Well, we’re young anyway... After all it’s a sad ending.”
“So, don’t want to get married afterwards?”
“No. Maybe I’m very demanding, both on myself and others. When people are happy with a grade B, I can never be contented unless I get an A. Tong used to call me a perfectionist. Sometimes when everybody thinks that it is very good, it still cannot satisfy me. I don’t think I can lower my requirement to compromise.”
“Does this apply to a woman?”
“Well, when I love a woman, I tend to expect too much on her. Then I’ll get disappointed. I’m 42 now. I have already passed the impressionable age and will not act on impulse.”
“But I’m sure you should have many admirers”
“I don’t know. It’s not easy to fall in love at my age. If someone told me ‘I love you”, I’ll ask ‘Why?’ (laugh). Besides love, we’ve to understand each other. I’ll think about our future, our character, our lifestyle, things like that would come to my mind. Like my mother, it took some time for us to understand each other when we come to live together. Of course, it’s perfect if both of us are deeply in love and can understand each other.”
“You mean spiritual love is very important?”
“Yes, spiritual love is more important than sex. Of course, I won’t deny the importance of sex (laugh).”
“So, let me ask you ‘Who do you love the most?’”
“First of all it’s ‘myself’. Other than me, well, I think when I really love someone, I won’t care it’s a man or woman”
“Do you mean you are bisexual?”
“What I mean is, when two people are in love, it is only love that matters.”
As a 'Star'
“In your concert and movies like 'Farewell to My Concubine' and 'Happy Together' you have demonstrated your gender-bent attraction to your audience, are you trying to deliver a certain message?”
“No, there is nothing to do with it. When Chen Kaige approached me for the movie ‘Farewell to my Concubine’ he said that I was always typecast in certain roles. He wanted to treat me as a serious actor and thought that I could take on a feminine role.”
“As for ‘Happy Together’, homosexual was a hot topic at that time in Hong Kong. I thought it might be interesting for me to play a homosexual. And in my concert, I wanted to have a little excitement. Wearing red high heel was the idea of the art director. It caused a sensation when David Bowie did it years before. He thought it might be a good idea if we could bring it to Asia. In fact I wanted to do something of a Peking Opera but there’s the problem of make-up and costumes changes. So I tried to think of something else based on the song ‘Red’, maybe wearing lipstick. But the audience were too far away from stage, they might not be able to see it clearly. So, it ended up with red high heel and red lipstick.”
“In your concert and some of your movies, you give us the impression that you’re egocentric and sometimes narcissistic. What do you think about it?”
“Yes, I agree that some of the characters I played are very self-centre. Well, as for myself, what can I say... (after a long pause). I always want to give my best to the audience whether in concert or in my movie. But when I’m not working, I don’t really care too much about my look. You cannot find any of my pictures in my house and I seldom look at the mirror.”
“But the fact is you really look handsome. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you think about it?”
“wow, what a handsome guy!”, he exploded in laughter. “No, it’s just kidding. I don’t think I can comment on my look. It’s so familiar to me.”
“In my early days, I used to be called 'cool' or 'arrogant' etc. Actually I am outspoken and forthcoming. Maybe this is the cause of trouble. But this has nothing to do with narcissism.”
“People used to describe you as 'cute', 'smart', 'sexy', which do you like best?”
“As for my fans, I’ll be glad and take all these with compliments, but for my friends I would not be pleased if they only pay attention to my appearance.”
“What do you prefer to be called then?”
“‘Good guy’, I think that sounds better.”
“You are a ‘Star’ in our eyes, is ‘Star’ a role you’re playing or is it your true self?”
“What a difficult question! I haven’t thought about this before. I don’t think I’m playing any role. I should say it’s my true self. I, myself, and Leslie as an actor are overlapping. I must say I have the qualities and talent of being a star.”
“Like a kaleidoscope, a man has many faces. But the media and the audience can only see a small part of us. They will judge from what they see, sometimes they’re misled. Our fans like to associate us with fairy tales and the media tend to exaggerate and make up headlines.”
“Being a superstar you’re under severe pressure, how do you manage to relieve your tension?”
“You must learn to relax. I love to travel. I’ll go to places where nobody knows about me. My favourite spots these days are ‘hot springs’.”
“You’ve fame, wealth, good look, charm and status. It’s everybody’s dream, what do you think you’re not good enough?”
“Maybe, my academic qualification”, he said after a short silence. “I very much hope I could have finished my university study, and if possible, get a doctorate degree. There’s so much to learn from in the school days.”
As an actor
“Do you like watching your movies over and over again or you seldom watch them?”
“I think it’s the latter. Every time I see my movie again, I keep on criticising my performance ‘that’s not good enough’, or ‘this could be better’. Because when I’m acting I’ll immerse myself in the role that I can’t see things subjectively. Mistakes are inevitable. Anyway you can’t change it.”
“Among all the characters you played, is there any performance you think ‘That’s Perfect!’?”
“None.”, he said without hesitation. “I always thought I could give a better performance if I got a second chance to do it.”
“You’ve made significant improvements in your acting, especially in romantic dramas, is it because of your life experience or the effort you made?”
“Really, great improvement in romances (laugh)?. Life experience did help a lot. But more importantly you need constant practice. Like saving money in a bank, there comes a day you’ll be rich. Of course, besides working hard there are other factors, say, an inspiring director.”
“You’ve a unique style that we can recognize you even if we can only see your back, did you practise it every day or it’s your natural way?”
“I just did it naturally. As for acting, I don’t think there are theories in acting. Some actors or actresses thought they look best in certain angle but I don’t like to do it that way. I just want to be natural, like what I’m doing every day.”
“When we’re making movies sometimes we need to do one shot repeatedly over and over again. It would be better if I can do it the same way for consistency and for easy editing but sometimes I’ll get bored. In that case I’ll try different ways to give different takes.”
“Anyway there should be some differences between those ‘good’ and ‘not so good’ actors”
“Good actors are those ‘gifted’ and possess excellent acting skills. They have a unique style. ou don’t think they’re ‘acting’ but would treat them as the characters they’re playing. Average actors meaning those who are not so talented, usually they don’t like challenges. That’s why their performances are neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’. No surprises and nothing impressive at all. Sometimes they’re just ‘copying’ from others.”
“It seems that your co-starring actresses are getting younger and younger, do you feel the generation gap?”
“Yes, I think so (laugh). Frankly speaking, I feel more like a tutor than a co-worker these days. But the fact is I look younger than my age. It doesn’t seem a good match if I’m co-starring with actresses of my age.”
Movies
“Among all the characters you played, which one is the most difficult?”
“I think it’s ‘Ho Po Wing’ in ‘Happy Together’. At the time of shooting I was not feeling well and had to make preparations for my concert. Wong Kar-wai did not have any script and we worked under a tight schedule. There were some other problems too. ‘Ho’ is an unpleasant character that most people would hate him. So I have added something to this character to make ‘Ho’ more than just an disgusting fellow. Anyway even if I give a great performance I still worry about the audience reaction.”
“You’ve successfully portrayed the character of ‘Ho’ and that’s why you’d been nominated for Best Actor in the HK Film Award and the Golden Horse Award”
“It’s a bit of a surprise. I don’t think I’m qualified for the category of ‘Best Actor’ coz mine is not a leading role.”
“Do you mean that you’re well-deserved for the awards for ‘Days of Being Wild’ and ‘Ashes of Times’?”
“This is not for me to say. If you asked me which movie should deserve an award I would say ‘Farewell to My Concubine’. It won a Cannes Award and was widely received by the critics and audience in Japan.”
“As compared with the character ‘Ho Po Wing’ in ‘Happy Together’, is it easier to handle the character ‘Cheng Dieyi’ in ‘Farewell to my Concubine’?”
“Yes, I prefer the character in ‘Farewell to my Concubine’. Cheng Deiyi devoted his life to arts and is loyal to his lover. I can share his feelings. The only difficulty for me is to master Beijing dialect and the opera moves in a short time. Anyway, this is a truly memorable movie.”
“In “He’s a Woman, She’s a Man’ you played the character ‘Sam Koo’ who is also in the show business, most of your fans thought that you really are the character you played”
“No, I’m not a composer in the first place, nor can I play piano. Maybe we’ve something in common, for example, our lifestyle, and that we’re stubborn in some way. Also, I am phobic about being trapped in the lift. That’s my true reaction in the film.”
“Oh, really, no wonder it looks so real in that scene. But when I’m talking to you face to face, I must say you and ‘Sam’ are very much alike.”
“I think ‘Sam’ has perhaps much in common with Peter Chan, the director.”
Directors
“You’d been working with Chen Kaige for two movies 'Farewell My Concubine' and 'Temptress Moon' I think he appreciates your talents very much”
“Yes, he loves to work with me. Our last movie ‘Temptress Moon’, the script was ‘tailored made’ for me.”
“I heard that you had once been cast in Chen’s recent movie ‘The Emperor and the Assassin’”
“Yes, but it happened to crash with my world-wide singing tour and that filming was expected to last for a year. On the other hand, the ‘First Emperor’, the role I’m supposed to play, is a tall and muscular figure in the eyes of the Chinese, which differs greatly from my image.”
“In the movies of Wong Kar-wai and Tsui Hark, you were often projected in an entirely different image, is it because they have a different impression on you?”
“Maybe they view me from different angles. It’s also because of the script, the contents of the films are different. Wong’s movie world is very unique, isolated and unreal. Even the stories are set at different time and space they look the same. Whereas Tsui, he likes to put his political philosophy in his films and there is often hope and a bright future.”
“During the shooting of your latest movie, we were surprised to learn that you did not need any guidance or explanation from the director, is it often the case?”
“Basically yes, that’s why some directors may find it hard at the beginning because in their view actors should follow their instruction. But after we work together for a short time they’ll agree to the way I handle the role and seldom correct my acting. Of course, sometimes we have different opinions and disagreement. But we have a common goal which is to make a good film and I am doing my best in every film.”
“In that case, you mean you don’t need a director”
“No, that’s impossible. I need expert advice from someone as a ‘third person’, that ‘third person’ is the director. Although we may have different opinions, it doesn’t matter at all because it is sometimes necessary for a good movie.”
“I consider myself very lucky to have worked with so many brilliant directors such as John Woo, Chen Kaige, Wong Kar-wai, Peter Chan and Jacob Cheung. I think nothing can make me happier than they consider me a good actor.”
“Anyway, whether a movie is good or not is to a great extent the result of the director. A movie is like a treasure and the director is the key. Whether you can get the treasure from the treasure house is dependent upon the director. Therefore my next goal is to be a director.”
Future plan
“Are you planning to direct your debut movie?”
“Yes, but I haven’t decided yet the content of the movie.”
“Who would be the leading actress? Do you have any names in mind?”
“Karen Mok and Shu Kei. They are very promising actresses.”
“Your fans are worrying that when you become a director you will no longer star in movies, how do you plan your work as a director, actor and singer?”
“I think I would adjust my singing schedule, make one to two albums a year while I can enjoy singing and at the same time satisfy my fans.”
“I am not going to act in my first two movies, just direct. When I get on to it I may consider acting as well, like Robert Redford.”
“We feel better now. Among all the movies you’ve seen, except HK movies, is there any particular role you’re interested in playing?”
“In ‘A Few Good Men’ Jack Nicholson plays a very disgusting but kindhearted fellow. I think it could be an interesting role for me.”
“What about the other character, that very special gay painter?”
“No, I don’t like it.” (laugh)
“Is there any role you think you cannot handle?”
“Jackie Chan’s role.” (laugh)
“Someone says you won’t star in comedy any more, is that true?”
“No, I like comedy. It’s not a bad idea if I can direct one myself.”
“Would you tell me something about the musical “A Chinese Ghost Story”?
“I am interested in making a musical. It’s a great challenge for me. It would give me added pleasure if it proves to be a success. I pick the 'Chinese Ghost Story' because we can have plenty of visual effects. A musical is a combination of visuals and sounds, they’re complementing each other...”