- One of Hong Kong's most recognisable screen stars, Tony Leung Ka-fai has made more than 130 films in a career that has spanned 37 years
- We look at the four roles that earned him the best actor prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards
One of Hong Kong's most recognisable actors, Tony Leung Ka-fai has starred in more than 130 films since his film debut in 1983. Leung is often nicknamed "Big Tony", to avoid confusion with Tony Leung Chiu-wai, a shorter peer in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.
In a career spanning almost 40 years, Leung has played gangsters and police officers on numerous occasions. There is no doubt, however, which side he is on in real life.
In late June 2019, the actor was spotted at a pro-police rally organised by controversial pro-establishment lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu. The rally was a response to the anti-government movement that has rocked Hong Kong for eight months, amid claims officers used excessive force against protesters.
As Leung turns 62 tomorrow, we look at the four roles that have earned him best actor gongs at the Hong Kong Film Awards over the past four decades.
1. Reign Behind a Curtain (1983)
Set in imperial China, Leung plays the Xianfeng Emperor, the ninth ruler of the Qing dynasty, whose health is deteriorating.
In the opening scene, the emperor mistakenly shoots a servant while hunting with his ministers, highlighting his incompetence as the country's ruler. He also presided over the throne as foreign powers looted and burned the Summer Palace.
Before he dies " just 50 minutes into the 2 1/2 hour film " he anoints his six-year-old eldest son heir-apparent. Empress Dowager Cixi, played by Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing, allies herself with the late emperor's principal wife to become co-reigning empress dowagers, effectively controlling the government.
Leung, who was also nominated best new performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards for his role in the drama, was crowned best actor instead.
2. 92 Legendary La Rose Noire (1992)
In this comedy, Leung plays a police detective who has a crush on the children's novelist living in the upstairs flat.
The failed writer attempts suicide and after being mistaken as a robber disguises herself as Black Rose, a supposed 1960s film hero, to escape. Apprentices of the real Black Rose discover what she is up to and kidnap her, then also grab Leung's character when he tries to rescue her.
Leung's hilarious rendition of classic Cantonese songs adds to the playfulness of the comedy. As well as earning Leung a best actor award, the film ranked No. 75 in the Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures list of the Hong Kong Film Awards from the 1930s to 2000s.
3. Election (2005)
This gripping crime drama portrays a power struggle between two high-profile gangsters who are lobbying to become the new boss of Hong Kong's biggest triad society.
Leung's character, "Big D", is one of these rivals, but fails because he is aggressive, impatient and short-tempered. Facing a more level-headed competitor, Election explores the tension between power and money under the shadow of gang violence.
Although "Big D" fails to sway the election, Leung won the best actor award in a film that also starred Simon Yam Tat-wah as the newly elected triad leader.
4. Cold War (2012)
In this police thriller set in Hong Kong, Leung plays deputy commissioner for operations, Waise Lee. In his boss' absence, Lee leads a rescue operation code-named "cold war" to save five kidnapped police officers, including his own son.
He declares a state of emergency as the city's police battle terrorists who are uncannily familiar with the force's operational procedures. However, hardliner Lee, who is gunning to become the next chief of police, fails in his attempts to crack the case.
Another deputy commissioner, played by Aaron Kwok Fu-shing, criticises Lee for abusing his power and lacking good judgment, and takes over the case.
Cold War won nine accolades at the 2012 Hong Kong Film Awards, including best actor for Leung, best film, best director, best film editing, best new performer and best screenplay.
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