Tony Leung Wins Lifetime Achievement Award at Venice Film Festival

Receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the ongoing 80th Venice International Film Festival, actor Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (梁朝偉) has made history as the first Chinese actor to bag the prize!

Ang Lee: Tony is a Director’s Dream

Decked out in a classic black tuxedo and accompanied by his wife, actress Carina Lau (劉嘉玲) on September 2, he received the highest prize at the festival from acclaimed filmmaker Ang Lee (李安).

Recapping Tony’s studded career through his acting credits, Ang Lee praised the actor for deserving every one of the accolades he has received. “From my personal experience, (he) is really a director’s dream, his eyes have an ability to move people. What Tony Leung can say with a glance, is more than what many actors can express in a full monologue, (communicated) through him, is a soul that invites you to dream and to imagine,” he surmised.

A Tribute to HK Cinema
Visibly emotional, 61-year-old Tony wiped away tears several times on receiving the distinction, as he thanked Ang Lee during his speech. “You’re just trying to make me cry! Thanks for the beautiful compliment from such a deeply respected director and friend as Ang Lee! Thank you, Venice, this is a great honor!”

Expressing his gratitude to mentors on his four-decade-long acting journey, Tony also paid his greatest tribute to the Hong Kong cinema industry. “I want to thank my wife, my family, all my friends around the world, thanks to HK movie industry for nurturing me. I want to share this award with all whom I’ve worked with during my 41 years in film, (and) to dedicate this award to HK cinema!”

Long-Awaited Award

Having shared with the press previously that he’d always wanted a Golden Lion, the actor’s wish has finally come true. “Finally, I have it (for myself). I don’t have to share with anybody,” he said, revealing that he will hold a celebration to mark the win.

Others who have been bestowed the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award include legendary action film director John Woo (吳宇森) and Ann Hui (許鞍華) (The Golden Era, The Way We Are, A Simple Life). Three of the films Tony has starred in including 1989’s A City of Sadness <悲情城市>, 1995’s Cyclo <三輪車夫> and 2007’s Lust, Caution <色, 戒> have also clinched the prized Golden Lion, the festival’s highest accolade.

In celebration, Carina marked the triumph with an Instagram post of her own, where the couple locked lips while she held the award, writing in a sweet shoutout, “Congratulations! You truly are the best!”

Source: Mingpao Weekly