You’ll understand why I put Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution onto my very short list of Rainy Days Films — those films one saves up, like that chocolate bar your friend brought back from Belgium, for a day when you have a need for something exceptionally luscious. This film is a period drama lover’s delight: sensuous with 1940s textures and fabrics and chinas, rippled with sunlight and neons and 1940s incandescents. It is also almost pornographically sexy (it was even cut for many audiences, and released in the US with a NC-17 rating).
What I didn’t expect was that Tang Wei to blow my frontal lobe in the role of Wong Chia Chi, a Hong Kong university student and accidental actress who, with her fellow actors, forms a renegade unit to resist the wartime Japanese occupation of China. She’s fabulous.
In the earliest part of the film (set in 1938), we see most clearly how young and naïve she is — and I mean, like, teenager young. She’s shy and a bit wowed by her older friend’s cohort of student actors, especially the one really good-looking boy. Even when she gets recruited into their patriotic play, we’re not sure whether such a young thing will make it onstage. But something happens in that concluding moment in their play, as Chia Chi’s real emotions intersect with those of her character, and a real tear slips down her cheek. Even her co-star in the scene seems thrown by her talent. It’s as if we see an entirely new person — acting has released in Chia Chi a talent for doubled selfhood and performance that seems preternatural.
Thus, when they cook up a plan to act as a resistance group to combat Japanese presence in China, Chia Chi is their star. She masquerades as a wealthy importer’s wife in order to infiltrate the social circle and mahjong club of Mrs. Yee (Joan Chen), the wife of collaborationist Yee (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai). Chia Chi spends her days advising the ladies on finding tailors and decent restaurants, appearing far more cosmopolitan and far older than her true age, and — trickiest of all — chit-chatting expertly with wealthy wives whose radar is acute. She waits for an opportunity to flirt prettily with the elusive Yee, who appears only occasionally in his wife’s parlor.
In every way — her expressions, her physical gestures, her face, it’s like Chia Chi is a different woman. She shows no hesitation in her acting skills — even a certain impetuousness.
Yee, meanwhile, is a cypher. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai is always so good — that tragic face, that slightly beaten-down appearance, those eyes that bespeak yearning and self-defeat (see especially his Happy Together [1997] and the luminescent In the Mood for Love [2000]); here his character is particularly hard and inscrutable. Chia Chi often feels like she’s wasting time; she’s certainly wasting all her friends’ money while she loses at mahjong to Yee’s wife. But eventually he notices her, finds small ways to get closer to her.
Her radical friends congratulate her for her accomplishment. Then they remind her that she doesn’t know the first thing about sex; in fact, only one of them does, and that’s because he has a weakness for prostitutes. Thus begins the least sexy deflowering and “sex education” in the history of film, all done in the name of a free China. But the Yees leave Hong Kong before she gets her chance to seduce him. Their assassination plans foiled, Chia Chi and her friends have a particularly bad night before they break apart and don’t see each other again.
Three years later, Chia Chi is staying with an aunt in Shanghai, poor and going through the motions of her studies. Like other Chinese, she’s learning Japanese to adjust to the Occupation. She looks like a shadow of her former self, and we’re not sure why — is it a lingering sense of degradation after losing her virginity for no reason? the long effects of poverty and Japanese occupation? simple loneliness and isolation? We’ve never seen her before with such an expression of defeat, and it’s dark.
Then her old friends rediscover her and recruit her back to the same mission, except this time they’re working with the real Resistance, and they’re organized. They want her to pick up where she left off, and she does — seating herself back at Mrs. Yee’s mahjong table, catching Yee’s eye. But there’s something different this time, something we feel so acutely but can’t put our fingers on. There’s something darker. 1942 is a very different world than 1938, for both of them. They are different people.
How does she do it, with that round face and precious lips? How does she capture the stresses of living this double life so beautifully and seamlessly? Tang Wei is always on point, always watchable, yet is asked to encompass so many conflicting emotions at once that her performance is a small miracle. It’s as if her character is most real when she must pretend to be someone she’s not.
Then add sex and stir. Her emotions become all the more convoluted when Yee finds ways to sleep with her — at first in the most brutal, sadistic manner, akin to how he tortures members of the Resistance; and gradually in ways that express a shared passion that captures all they are still hiding from one another, all they despise about themselves.
This is not romance, although sometimes they pretend it is. This is smut, dirty and fiery and beyond all reason. It’s fantastic, and it destroys their souls. I’m sure someone out there will argue that Chia Chi “falls in love” with Yee, but I will argue most fervently that this is not any kind of recognizable love. This is urgent and awful and demoralizing, and it erases traces of the self you thought you were. It’s fantastic to watch — again, this is really goddamn close to pornography — but grueling to identify with. Chia Chi and Yee can only experience this kind of sex because of the horrible things they’ve done in their other lives, the kinds of people they’ve sunk to being. The sex is so intense because they recognize the dark in each other.
And still they pretend. Yee invites her to a Japanese tea house where the veneer of Japanese politeness is thin but insistent. As a small protest against its Japaneseness, Chia Chi sings a romantic Chinese song and dances alluringly for Yee in the weird privacy of a room with paper walls. The sense of defeat is everywhere. But they pretend it’s not, and they pretend they feel love for one another. It breaks your heart — not because of a tragic love, but because each of these people is splitting apart in their souls.
Tang Wei. Keep your eyes open for her — I can only hope she gets more roles of such range and depth. I bow down before her skill.
[2013.01.13] SONG HYE-KYO SLAPS TONY LEUNG CHIU WAI
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| courtesy of on.cc |
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| Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Song Hye-Kyo's intimate scene is left in the cutting room floor |
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| Tony Leung Chiu Wai in the Northeast courtesy of mingpao.com |
Wong Kar Wai's THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) in Hong Kong after two days in release accumulated HK$2.82 million at the box office (excluding late shows). With stronger and stronger momentum it pulls away from the same week release, Wong Jing's YOUNG AND DANGEROUS: RELOADED (GOO WAT JAI: GONG WU SUN DIT JUI); the latter accumulated only HK$860,000 over two days.
Wong Kar Wai initially cut THE GRANDMASTERS into a 4 hour edition. Due to running time restriction he cut it down to the current release of 130 minutes; many scenes were "missing". Yesterday the film company distributed the second production special, in the 3 minute and 41 second content many removed scenes reappeared. Wai Jai personally explained Ip Man and talked about his kung fu training.
In Leung Chiu Wai's eyes Ip Man was mild mannered and elegant, he did not resemble a kung fu person; he rose and fell and in the end he was able to calmly be himself. Wong Kar Wai hoped that Wai Jai's Ip Man performance would be a mix of Ip Man and Bruce Lee. He tried to combine them for the effect. Wai Jai said that Ip Man was enjoyed kung fu as much as Bruce Lee but normally he was so mild mannered that no one knew he could fight.
When he explored the character, he thought that the character appearance could be expressed through technique. Yet if he did not understand the inside of the character he had no way to express its aura, which was not something that could be achieved over night; this his long term training was necessary. He broke his arm twice, the first time was a hair line fracture, the second time was already as severe as saw tooth; everything he did was for THE GRANDMASTERS.
In the production special the removed scenes included Wai Jai and Song Hye-Kyo's sweet romantic couple scene, Wai Jai sweetly smiled with Sister Kyo in his arms. When the Japanese military arrived, they got into a struggle and Sister Kyo slapped him. Chang Chen in the release did not face Wai Jai. His appearance with a razor to fight Wai Jai was also unveiled. The production special even uncovered that Ip Man once visited Master Gong Er in the Northeast. Wai Jai in the drifting snow passed through the plum blossom courtyard, where they encountered each other again.
THE GRANDMASTERS decoding even had Julian Cheung Chi Lam as two characters, not only the Chinese Opera actor but also Zhang Ziyi's fiance. In this scene he only made an appearance in a flash.
37. IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (2000)
Hong Kong, 1962: Two lonelyheart neighbors (Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung) whose spouses are having an affair embark on a secret relationship of their own. But conscience and a true fondness for each other keep them from sealing the dirty deal.
Sexiest Moment ''We won't be like them,'' Cheung moans after a chaste visit to Leung's hotel room. Sometimes what doesn't happen is just as thrilling as what does.
Hong Kong, 1962: Two lonelyheart neighbors (Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung) whose spouses are having an affair embark on a secret relationship of their own. But conscience and a true fondness for each other keep them from sealing the dirty deal.
Sexiest Moment ''We won't be like them,'' Cheung moans after a chaste visit to Leung's hotel room. Sometimes what doesn't happen is just as thrilling as what does.
Image Credit: Everett Collection
Tony Leung in the Nude with Tang Wei in the movie Lust Caution 观赏梁朝伟在这部电影赤裸
Tang Wei (born October 7, 1979 in Yueqing, Zhejiang, China) is a Chinese actress. She was selected from more than 10,000 actresses to appear in Ang Lee's Lust, Caution (Winner of the 2007 Golden Lion award) as Wong Chia Chi, co-starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Joan Chen, and Wang Lee-Hom. For the role of Wong Chia Chi, she has won in category Best New Performer of Golden Horse award. She has also been nominated for the Independent Spirit Award.
Tony Leung Multimedia Site
Tony Leung Multimedia Site
Tony Leung Multimedia Site
Tony Leung Multimedia Site
http://www.tonyleung.info/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0504897/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tony-Leung-Chiu-Wai/11585854972
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/leung_chiu_wai/
http://asianwiki.com/Tony_Leung_Chiu_Wai
http://www.lovehkfilm.com/people/leung_chiu_wai.htm
http://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=5679
Tony Leung Chiu-Wai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tony Leung, Carina Lau getting married
Hong Kong heartthrob Tony Leung and his
longtime partner Carina Lau have decided to end their lengthy courtship
with a star-studded wedding slated for October, Chinese media reported
Monday.
Tony Leung (L) and Carina Lau, shown here in an undated photo, will reportedly marry in October.
Lau, an established entertainer like her boyfriend, began sending out invitations on Friday, Web site Sohu.com reports.
Stars on the couple's guest list include Faye Wong and Na Ying.
The wedding will be held in Hong Kong in October, with the date and the venue yet to be announced.
Leung, 45, and Lau, 42, have been
together for nearly 20 years, Sohu reports. Yet both have expressed
their longing for marriage in recent interviews. Leung, for example, was
quoted in an Associated Press report in February as saying, "I'm in my
forties - I can't wait until I'm 60."
(CRI June 17, 2008)Carina Lau admits marriage problems
Carina Lau admits marriage problems
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung and his actress wife Carina Lau arrive for the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 21, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]
Carina Lau and Tony Leung have shared a relationship of more than 20 years and finally tied the knot 3 years ago in Bhutan. Lau said she has marriage problems just like everyone else and how to working it out is the most important thing.
"God has given me a lot, and I am grateful for the challenges. I have communicated with Tony that when it comes to the baby thing, we would leave it to fate," she said.
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20087 22, Tony Leung and Carina Lau which contained a couple of people
dating for the past 20, yesterday witnessed by nearly one hundred
friends and relatives in the small country of Bhutan Buddhist officially
married. The wedding the bride has always attracted most attention,
with three different sets of clothing Carina appearance, including dress
coat, VeraWang Gucci luxury bridal and evening wear pink. Carina
wearing a white silk wedding yesterday, according to board the major
media headlines, they are now also exposed Gucci pink evening gown
modeling. Carina Lau wedding jewelryCarina Lau as the Longines ambassador for 8 consecutive years, and the brand has deep feelings for the six months spent on the Longines While this well-thought ideas and create a wedding gift to her was very moving. Carina says with a laugh While this watch on the TLC engraved the words, just represent the "Tender Loving Care", very interesting. Tailor-made from Switzerland received the priceless gift given to her, so Carina fair share warm feel.    http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3787293952/tt0118845
http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1203957/loss-still-hurts-ten-years-leslie-cheung-remembered  http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1203957/loss-still-hurts-ten-years-leslie-cheung-remembered     |
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[2013.07.25] JACKY CHEUNG, TONY LEUNG CHIU WAI BUMP HEADS
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| Tony Leung Chiu Wai leans back on his chair |
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| Cecilia Yip gives reporters a thumbs up |
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| Peter Chan, Sandra Ng |
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| Eric Tsang needs help when he leaves |
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| courtesy of on.cc |
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| courtesy of singtao.com |
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| courtesy of mingpao.com |
Chan Kwok Fun and Cecilia Yip Tung two nights ago celebrated their 25th silver anniversary with friends like Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Chingmy Yau Suk Ching and her husband Shum Ka Wai, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Lui Fong, Kathy Chow Man Kei, Andrew Lau Wai Keung and other.
Most presents were wine so they had their fill. Chan Kwok Fun posted a photo. Hok Yau was all red from drinking and bumped heads with Leung Chiu Wai; Wai Jai also looked very mischievous and raised a victory sign.
Cheung Hok Yau yesterday was the first guest on a Phoenix U Radio program. Two nights ago he attended Yip Tung and Chan Kwok Fun's 25th silver wedding anniversary party. When he left he was all red from drinking as he avoided reporters' cameras. He said, "At a party I naturally would drink, but I wasn't drunk. I just didn't want reporters to take pictures. My gift to Yip Tung was also wine. Tsang Chi Wai, Leung Chiu Wai and others were on hand. They drank and chatted, but Chi Wai fell asleep soon after arriving." He said that he and May Law Mei Mei in the past only celebrated their wedding anniversaries with dinner. They had no plan for a big party. Their wedding was not a big deal either.
Hok Yau recently grew facial hair for a movie but he still has not decided on whether to take it or not. If confirmed work will begin in September. Speaking of Aaron Kwok Fu Sing wanted to direct and bring the Four Great Heavenly Kings together for a collaboration, Hok Yau said, "I haven't heard, I would check out the script and the character first before deciding whether I would make it."
