R.I.P leslie Cheung on this day (6 years ago)

[Monk Sante]

Time goes by too quick it seems the news of leslie committing suicide was only yesterday. He sure made his mark in Hong Kong cinema history. Great actor, R.I.P Mr. Cheung. :S

[Bravery]

I use to have a certain affection for Leslie Cheung, but over the years it has almost diminished. I guess with him being gone, and nothing new, I just forgot about him. But, he was a great talent that, now that I think about him, I remember just how great he was, and was going to be. Six years, wow.

And, about sucide, it isn't needed and although you may be going through, it can't be that bad. At least not as bad as what you'll put the people you love you through

[masterofoneinchpunch]

Having watched a few films with him the past couple of months (Ashes of Time Redux and Days of Being Wild) it is hard for me not to think of his passing. I wrote a few posts on some other sites about particular films of his to watch (and ones I need to watch).

Here is my favorite film with him:

Farewell to My Concubine (1993: Chen Kaige)

I bought a few of his last films today (Double Tap, Inner Senses).

[Yi-Long]

My favourite movie of Leslie is Days of Being Wild, as he's just amazing in it, but he's been great in so many moovies, and also in so many important and well-loved movies, like Rouge, A Better Tomorrow, A Chinese Ghost Story, Farewell to my Concubine, Happy Together, and Ashes of Time.

In my mind, he's the best HK actor that I've ever seen, and I've felt that way ever since I first seen him. He's probably my favourite actor ever, from anywhere...

It's a shame he ended his life prematurely. At the same time I'm glad he didn't have to go through the pain of seeing his friend Anita Mui die. Also, by taking his own life, he became a 'legend', as happens so often with talented people who die too early.
In my mind he was already a legend btw.

Like many, I was surprised when I heard the news, straight from HK, just a few hours orso after it happened. Like many my first reaction was a poor taste April Fool's joke cause the person who told what a fan I was of Leslie, but pretty mcuh at the same time another person from HK clicked me on ICQ and told me.
Ofcourse, I posted it on a few forums, and everyone else thought I was making a very poor joke as well. I wish it had been.

Like I said, I miss him, as I absolutely loved him. At the same time I'm frustrated that so many of his classics lack a good quality DVD/BR release. I hope that will change soon. Sadly, one of his masterpieces, Ashes of Time, will no doubt never be released the way it should be released, ever again :( .

I'd love to see Wong Kar Wai make a great documentary about Leslie, btw.... using backstage footage and interviews etc etc.

[Cesare]

Leslie was great.
I'm quite sure it would be very interesting to see him age. To see what sort of roles he'd play at the age of 60 or 70... It's a real pity he didn't give us - or himself, for that matter - that chance. His roles in Farewell My Concubine or in Ashes Of Time sure count among the most powerful screen performances I've seen...
It's of course quite normal to feel and express regrets about talented people who died young, but when it comes to Leslie Cheung, the amount of wasted potential is ...huge. Exceptionally so, at least the way I feel it.
Pity, pity, pity...

I'd love to see Wong Kar Wai make a great documentary about Leslie, btw.... using backstage footage and interviews etc etc.

I second that.

[AlbertV]

I wrote my thoughts on Leslie on a new blog I started this past weekend, on film reviews and thoughts...not just martial arts, but all films.

http://albertvfilm.blogspot.com

Scroll down and you'll find my Leslie Cheung post

[Karlos]

6 years ago already?!

Time sure flies.

I can clearly remember getting a phone call telling me he'd died - I was at work and, for the rest of that day, I was in a trance.

I was never a huge fan, or so I thought, but his death really affected me - his, and not soon after, Anita Mui's.

In fact, I still cannot re-watch Rouge - too, too poignant.

Wherever you are, Cheung Kwok Wing, here's to you.

[moviegyrl]

Haven't seen all of his work. I'll catch up. 'Really want to see ROUGE. My faves, thus far, are:
MOONLIGHT EXPRESS
THE PHANTOM LOVER
and a film (the name of which I cannot now recall) directed by Chen Kaige and co-starring Gong Li (in which she is poisoned at the end).

[fabhui]

I remember years ago (I think I was still at school) catching 'Rouge' late one night as part of a series of films that was being shown on Channel 4 in the UK.
I was mesmerized by the movie and it stuck in my head for a long time. Even though I have the movie on DVD and have watched it many times, when I think back to the first time a saw it on that late night TV showing, it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I can hardly believe it has been 6 years since Leslie Cheung passed away. 2003 was a sad year with the passing of both Leslie Cheung and Anita mui.

[Yi-Long]

R.I.P Buddy...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/Yi-Long/LeslieAshes.jpg

[AlbertV]

I watched his 1999 film THE KID just the other day (very heartwarming) and this weekend, planning to see his last film, INNER SENSES in honor of his tragic death. R.I.P. Leslie Cheung

[masterofoneinchpunch]

I watched his 1999 film THE KID just the other day (very heartwarming) and this weekend, planning to see his last film, INNER SENSES in honor of his tragic death. R.I.P. Leslie Cheung

I'm thinking about watching Inner Senses or Double Tap tonight.

Here is a write up I did last year on this day. If I was to change one of these I might put his performance in Happy Together over Ashes of Time.

To commemorate the sixth year anniversary of the suicide of Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing (known as "Gor-Gor") I will recommend five films he starred in. He was a Cantonese pop singer who turned to acting (like many, many Hong Kong stars including Anita Mui, Jacky Cheung and Andy Lau) and would act in several great movies.

A Better Tomorrow (1986: John Woo): While his performance bordered on the melodramatic and Chow Yun Fat in his Alein Delon derived character stole this movie, this film is the most important and most influential movie in the triad genre (though I would not consider it John Woo's best directed movie). While Cheung was always bankable because of his music background this was his first major hit (he did star in Merry Christmas (1984) which was a hit in Hong Kong, but it is not mentioned as much today). Then Watch: Once a Thief (1991: John Woo) and A Better Tomorrow II (1987: John Woo).

Days of Being Wild (1990: Wong Kar-Wai): Ultimately a failure with audiences when it first came out in Hong Kong, it was always a critical success winning the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Leslie Cheung in 1990. Cheung plays York a charming, aloof, wayward (almost misanthropic) character that collects and discards women. This was also the first collaboration between Wong and Christopher Doyle. This is a truly sagacious and wonderful film.

The Bride with White Hair (1993: Ronny Yu Yan-Tai): While Cheung's performance is not as in depth as his Wong Kar-Wai films this is one of the better Wu Xia films from the early 90s. Great costume and production design (the Tai Seng disc is quite bad though), a story of fantasy elements and romantic plot between Brigitte Lin and Leslie make this an interesting hybrid of storytelling. Greatest twin villain(s) ever (including Francis Ng). I don't know when I will see the sequel though.

Farewell to My Concubine (1993: Chen Kaige): One of my favorite films and one of the Cheung's greatest acting performances. It is a beautiful tale of two performers of Peking Opera and their lives and loves during the turbulent times of 20th Century China. Cheung stars as Ching Dip Dut a performer of female roles who has fallen in love with his acting partner Duen Siu Lau (who is in love with Guk Sing played by Gong Li). The harsh treatment shown in the beginning during their youth was realistic of the rigors and torture children had to endure to learn the craft of Peking Opera (read Jackie Chan's autobiography to learn more about this).

Ashes of Time (1994: Wong Kar-Wai): A troubled production, but certainly worth watching for the beautiful direction, great acting and non-linear storyline. Cheung is the focal-point as Ouyang Feng a swordsman for hire (that does seem to delegate a lot) with questionable morals and a longing for a lost love. I actually do not like the fight scenes since they obscure all the work Sammo Hung did and are repetitive. The new version omits a battle scene in the beginning with Leslie. Leslie would be nominated for a Best Actor this same year but it would be for He's a Woman, She's a Man (Peter Chan Hoh-San). This movie is a lot easier to get since the Redux version came out this year and prices for the OOP version went down as well.

Important films I need to see myself: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987: Tony Ching Siu-Tung), He's a Woman, She's a Man (1994: Peter Chan Hoh-San).

Fans of lists will find many of these films on Hong Kong Film Awards' 103 Best Chinese Films (http://www.listsofbests.com/list/18998).

[AlbertV]

Important films I need to see myself: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987: Tony Ching Siu-Tung), He's a Woman, She's a Man (1994: Peter Chan Hoh-San).

Fans of lists will find many of these films on Hong Kong Film Awards' 103 Best Chinese Films (http://www.listsofbests.com/list/18998).

I saw He's a Woman, She's a Man. Really great film in my opinion. I actually helped a teacher with her criticism of the movie by proofreading the manuscript when I saw the movie. Here's a link from the Hong Kong University Press site:

http://www.hkupress.org/Common/Reader/Products/ShowProduct.jsp?Pid=1&Version=0&Cid=16&Charset=iso-8859-1&page=-1&key=9789622099708

[masterofoneinchpunch]

I saw He's a Woman, She's a Man. Really great film in my opinion. I actually helped a teacher with her criticism of the movie by proofreading the manuscript when I saw the movie. Here's a link from the Hong Kong University Press site:

http://www.hkupress.org/Common/Reader/Products/ShowProduct.jsp?Pid=1&Version=0&Cid=16&Charset=iso-8859-1&page=-1&key=9789622099708

Very cool. I'm familiar with Stokes (have a couple of her books both mentioned in that link City on Fire: Hong Kong Cinema and author of The Historical Dictionary of Hong Kong Cinema). I'll look into getting that after I get the film. Not sure when I'll get to it though (what to watch movie lists keep getting longer and longer the more you learn about film :D).

[AlbertV]

Very cool. I'm familiar with Stokes (have a couple of her books both mentioned in that link City on Fire: Hong Kong Cinema and author of The Historical Dictionary of Hong Kong Cinema). I'll look into getting that after I get the film. Not sure when I'll get to it though (what to watch movie lists keep getting longer and longer the more you learn about film :D).

She actually stopped by today (Yes I work at the school she teaches at) and it was actually she who recommended The Kid to me and we had a quick discussion on it. Leslie was great in the film but Ti Lung also showed his acting chops in the role of a police officer who harbored feelings for a woman running an elderly home. For Leslie fans, I would definitely recommend The Kid as a great heartwarming drama.

[masterofoneinchpunch]

She actually stopped by today (Yes I work at the school she teaches at) and it was actually she who recommended The Kid to me and we had a quick discussion on it. Leslie was great in the film but Ti Lung also showed his acting chops in the role of a police officer who harbored feelings for a woman running an elderly home. For Leslie fans, I would definitely recommend The Kid as a great heartwarming drama.

Do you have the Mei Ah version of The Kid? I see it is in stock at HKFLIX right now. Cool that you get to discuss film with her.

[AlbertV]

Do you have the Mei Ah version of The Kid? I see it is in stock at HKFLIX right now. Cool that you get to discuss film with her.

Well, I borrowed a copy from the library I work in and it is in fact, the Mei Ah version of the film :)

[MarsHarmony]

I pray his soul is at peace now, and we will remember him always.

[kungfusamurai]

RIP. What a waste to go the way he did.

KFS

[Alexandra]

Leslie was a GIANT. I simply adore him as actor. He had his strange charisma and character for acting that only God give to certain people like an heavenly gift. In some circumstances, in my country, those actors, with "scenic presence", versatility, wide range of expression and fantastic looking in front of the camera are called "Divos". Leslie was a "Divo".

Concerning his movies, I watched:
- Farewell my Concubine (Chen Kaige)
- Ashes of Time (Wong Kar-Wai)
- The Bride with White Hair (Wong Kar-Wai)
- Happy Together (shot in Buenos Aires, Argentina) (Wong Kar - Wai)
- The Phantom Lover (the version of The Phantom of the Opera) (Ronny Yu)
- A Chinese Ghost Story (Ching Siu-Tung)
- A Better Tomorrow (John Woo)
- Temptress Moon (Jonn Woo)

He won only four awards in his impressive career. Unfair. But is the opinion of critics, the only valid opinion is that of the audience. We will love him forever.

I love you Leslie, a Divo of the South East cinema.
Alexandra

[Yi-Long]

Leslie was a GIANT. I simply adore him as actor. He had his strange charisma and character for acting that only God give to certain people like an heavenly gift. In some circumstances, in my country, those actors, with "scenic presence", versatility, wide range of expression and fantastic looking in front of the camera are called "Divos". Leslie was a "Divo".

Concerning his movies, I watched:
- Farewell my Concubine (Chen Kaige)
- Ashes of Time (Wong Kar-Wai)
- The Bride with White Hair (Wong Kar-Wai)
- Happy Together (shot in Buenos Aires, Argentina) (Wong Kar - Wai)
- The Phantom Lover (the version of The Phantom of the Opera) (Ronny Yu)
- A Chinese Ghost Story (Ching Siu-Tung)
- A Better Tomorrow (John Woo)
- Temptress Moon (Jonn Woo)

He won only four awards in his impressive career. Unfair. But is the opinion of critics, the only valid opinion is that of the audience. We will love him forever.

I love you Leslie, a Divo of the South East cinema.
Alexandra

You should also check out Days of Being Wild (which is my absolute favourite Leslie movie, and he won awards for his performance), and Rouge (together with Anita Mui) :)

It's also a shame that The Chinese Feast isn't getting a proper release. Great little movie with an outstanding Anita Yuen, some very nice humour, etc etc.

[masterofoneinchpunch]

You should also check out Days of Being Wild (which is my absolute favourite Leslie movie, and he won awards for his performance), and Rouge (together with Anita Mui) :)

It's also a shame that The Chinese Feast isn't getting a proper release. Great little movie with an outstanding Anita Yuen, some very nice humour, etc etc.

What did you think of his performance in Double Tap (or anyone else if they have seen this)? It does make me think of what he could have done later on (still need to see Inner Senses though).

Anita Mui's performance dominated Rouge for me.

Quick notes: Temptress Moon is directed by Chen Kaige and The Bride with White Hair by Ronny Yu.

[Yi-Long]

What did you think of his performance in Double Tap (or anyone else if they have seen this)? It does make me think of what he could have done later on (still need to see Inner Senses though).

His performance in Double Tap was good. Not his best work, but that's also because of the so-so script and the mediocre acting by the rest of the cast, most notably a quite 'flat' Alex Fong. Leslie pretty much always delivers, and in some scenes he shined (the scene outside the cell when he's just released and he gets annoyed), but it certainly wasn't his best movie or anything.

Inner Senses was ok-ish. I usually find these kind of 'horror' stories quite boring, and this one really wasn't an exception. Been a long time since I've seen it.

Anita Mui's performance dominated Rouge for me.

Yeah, Mui was also good, and it's pretty much HER movie as it's her story, but Leslie was brilliant in it. The part where he grabs and hugs her from behind and starts to cry because he is forbidden by his family to be with her, always impresses me...