Leung Time Coming

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung reflects on his celebrated career and more

- Lainey Loh

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

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

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