Kung fu More Than Fighting: Tony Leung
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-Wai has told of his epiphany while preparing for his role in high-kicking new film "The Grandmaster" that kung fu is "more spiritual practice and way of life" than pure fighting.In the latest interview with Xinhua, Cannes award-winning Leung said he learned a lot about the spirit of kung fu and how to become a master of the martial art during years of preparation for this cinematic tale of Bruce Lee's master, Yip Man.
"The greatest master is the one who understands life and who, after everything, stands here, still wearing a nice smile," said Leung, who plays Yip, master of the martial art of Wing Chun.
The movie, which debuted on the Chinese screen in early January, was directed by Hong Kong art-house director Wong Kar Wai, also Leung's long-time collaborator.
"As a child, I used to think that only the police and evildoers learned martial arts. But when we really get to know it, it is an attitude and spirit that can guide us in dealing with people and affairs," Leung said.
To ensure he got the best performance possible from his star, Wong Kar Wai invited Yip Man's disciple Duncan Leung Siu Hung to not only train Tony Leung in Wing Chun but also tell him Yip Man's stories.
It requires more than reading the script to feel a master's changing notions about martial arts, according to Leung -- "It is important to practice kung fu myself to really become the character I am playing."
Film director Wang Kar-wai and actor Tony Leung attend the press conference of the film “The Grandmaster” at Marina Bay Sands’ ArtScience Museum in Singapore, January 23, 2013. (Xinhua)
Vivian Hsu at event (Source: Xinhua)
"The greatest master is the one who understands life and who, after everything, stands here, still wearing a nice smile," said Leung, who plays Yip, master of the martial art of Wing Chun.
The movie, which debuted on the Chinese screen in early January, was directed by Hong Kong art-house director Wong Kar Wai, also Leung's long-time collaborator.
"As a child, I used to think that only the police and evildoers learned martial arts. But when we really get to know it, it is an attitude and spirit that can guide us in dealing with people and affairs," Leung said.
To ensure he got the best performance possible from his star, Wong Kar Wai invited Yip Man's disciple Duncan Leung Siu Hung to not only train Tony Leung in Wing Chun but also tell him Yip Man's stories.
It requires more than reading the script to feel a master's changing notions about martial arts, according to Leung -- "It is important to practice kung fu myself to really become the character I am playing."
Wang Kar-wai, Tony Leung promote "The Grandmaster" in Singapore
Film director Wang Kar-wai and actor Tony Leung attend the press conference of the film “The Grandmaster” at Marina Bay Sands’ ArtScience Museum in Singapore, January 23, 2013. (Xinhua)
TONY LEUNG SUPER PISSED AT WONG KAR-WAI :-(
When award-winning Hong Kong actor Tony Leung (梁朝伟) discovered his role in The Grandmaster (一代宗師) was CUT to give co-star Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) more screen time he threw a wobbly.
The 50-year-old is believed to be super pissed and has stopped talking to director and former friend Wong Kar-wai (王家卫).
Tony was shocked to find that many of his scenes in The Grandmaster, which took 17 years to complete, were cut by the director to give Ziyi more of an opportunity to shine.
The actor “complained” about his filming woes at the movie’s press conference, explaining that he practiced the martial art of wing chun for three years and twice broke his arms for the film.
Explaining his decision to reduce Tony’s scenes, director Wong said that Ip Man (the character played by Tony) was a man of few words and he felt it was necessary for him to remove as many dialogue scenes as possible.
As Tony and Ziyi filmed separately, the former was not aware that the actress played a character with so much screen time.
He thinks Ziyi will win an award for her performance, but nevertheless resents playing second fiddle to her.
Although Tony has been fulfilling his professional duties by attending the promotional activities in Taiwan and Guangzhou, he is no longer attending dinner gatherings with the director — a sign of the torn relationship between the two.
On the other hand, director Wong has been trying to mend fences with Tony by praising his acting as “the peak of performing.”
However, Tony’s wife Carina Lau (刘嘉玲) did not buy into the compliments and even re-posted his “weak explanation” on her microblog.
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The 50-year-old is believed to be super pissed and has stopped talking to director and former friend Wong Kar-wai (王家卫).
Tony was shocked to find that many of his scenes in The Grandmaster, which took 17 years to complete, were cut by the director to give Ziyi more of an opportunity to shine.
The actor “complained” about his filming woes at the movie’s press conference, explaining that he practiced the martial art of wing chun for three years and twice broke his arms for the film.
Explaining his decision to reduce Tony’s scenes, director Wong said that Ip Man (the character played by Tony) was a man of few words and he felt it was necessary for him to remove as many dialogue scenes as possible.
As Tony and Ziyi filmed separately, the former was not aware that the actress played a character with so much screen time.
He thinks Ziyi will win an award for her performance, but nevertheless resents playing second fiddle to her.
Although Tony has been fulfilling his professional duties by attending the promotional activities in Taiwan and Guangzhou, he is no longer attending dinner gatherings with the director — a sign of the torn relationship between the two.
On the other hand, director Wong has been trying to mend fences with Tony by praising his acting as “the peak of performing.”
However, Tony’s wife Carina Lau (刘嘉玲) did not buy into the compliments and even re-posted his “weak explanation” on her microblog.
See Link
Vivian Hsu at event
Vivian Hsu at event (Source: Xinhua)
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