9/12/2000, Tony is now in Toronto participating Toronto International
Film Festival. He is joined by Maggie Cheung and WKW. "In The Mood
For Love" is scheduled to screen twice on 9/12 and 9/13. To read more
coverage of Toronto International Film Festival, check out its
official site and Yahoo
Canada Festival Coverage. A brief synopsis from the official Toronto
site is quoted below.
The not-so-secret truth about the genius of Wong Kar-wai is that,
behind all the hip music, structural audacity and visual pyrotechnics,
he is an absolutely old-fashioned romantic. That is to say, he believes
in the transformative and destructive power of romantic love. This
magical and dangerous force receives an elegant and achingly beautiful
treatment in his newest film, teasingly named In the Mood for Love.
We are transported by the master to Hong Kong in 1962. Chau (in a
powerful performance by Tony Leung), the chief editor of a local daily
newspaper, and his wife move into an apartment complex mostly populated
by people from Shanghai. He soon meets Li-chun (the incomparable Maggie
Cheung), a very beautiful woman who has also just moved into the
building with her husband. She is a secretary at an export firm; her
husband is a representative for a Japanese company, which keeps him out
of Hong Kong most of the time.
Chau's wife also travels frequently and, left behind, he and Li-chun
spend more and more time in each other's company. In order to avoid
scandal, they must go to great lengths to hide their friendship from the
gossipy, mahjong-obsessed landlords. As their relationship develops,
they come to learn that their own partners are having an affair on the
road. How they confront this situation is painful and beautiful; how
they resolve it, impossibly sad.
With In the Mood for Love, Kar-wai explores his characters' emotions
with rare fortitude and insight. His camera languidly tracks from one
shot to the next, immaculately framing every element of his beautifully
composed early sixties decor - from the toaster on the table to Maggie
Cheung's high-necked dresses. The music is sublime; the performances
heartbreakingly extraordinary. It is, in short, a lm of great power and
accomplishment.
9/5/2000, a documentary of "In the mood for love" is being
broadcasted on HK interactive channel. The four-episode-long-documentaries
include scenes that were cut from the final version. On the very first
episode, clips of Tony and Maggie dancing were been televised. Asked why
this scene was cut, Tony replied,"Perhaps WKW thought Dancing does
not quite match the theme of the film." He also joked about Maggie
being a 'problem child'. During the shoot, Maggie became quite frustrated
with WKW's directing style (no script whatsoever, total lack of time
management, left actor/actress completely in dark). Tony would say to
Maggie,"There is no point in knowing. WKW doesn't have the slightest
idea what he is shooting till he goes to the cutting room. Just relax and
enjoy the ride."
Check out some NICE pictures of In the mood for love from Kino's
Coverage of ITMOFL. In the mood for love will take part in Pusan film
festival(Korea). Thanks Ellen for the link.
9/3/2000, Tran Anh Hung(Cyclo's Director) is in Taipei promoting his
latest film "A LA VERTICALE DE L'ÉTÉ" (literally: Taste of
Summer). Tran spoke about his plan to cast Tony in his next project,
"Walking toward Rain"(literally). According to Tran, Tony would
be teaming up with Harvey Keitel (latest appearances in Holy Smoke, U-571
and The Prince of Central Park). The script had Tony playing 'Modern
Jesus', a begger who descended from heaven.
Tran Anh Hung was born in Vietnam, studied film in France. In his last
year at school, he made his first short called, La Femme Mariee De Nam
Xuong, which was shown the same year at Cannes's Semaine de la Critique.
His first feature Scent of a Green Papaya, was a complete success
internationally and got the Cesar Award for the best first film in 1994.
His second feature Cyclo was a winner of Venice Golden Lion in 1995.
8/29/2000, Tony volunteered to shoot a commercial for "Higher
English Training" (sponsored by a non-profit org). It hopes to raise
awareness of the importance of English Education among the diverse HK
communities. As he attended the press conference for the tv release
Yesterday, the Chairman of the org presented him with a commemorative
trophy for his involvement. Asked how he learned English, Tony said even
though he never took any professional training classes, but as a kid he
attended Kindergarden strickly taught in English. Later on in life, he had
many opportunities of communicating English with foreign crew members. The
key of learning any language is not be afraid of asking. Don't shy away
from speaking, or asking for help.
Recently, Rave Parties are making headline news (ie. drug
investigation). Carina is a regular of such parties. Had he given her any
advice? Tony replied that he would advice Carina to go less frequently to
such parties.
"In the Mood for Love" is scheduled for 9/29 HK release,
premiere been set at 9/22. Maggie and WKW are now in England for the film
festival. Tony plans to join them at a later date. Other film festivals
they plan to make appearances: Toronto, New York, Korea, Italy, and Japan.
(If you happen to live around these places, a word of caution from a
seasoned fan, don't hold too much hope unless they've boarded the plane.)
8/7/2000, This had to be the funniest report I ever read. After the
opening session last night, Hero Bone Kind Heart resumes its shooting.
Though Tony and Valerie Chow had been avoiding photographers all night,
inevitably they had to shoot a scene where Tony made eye contact with
Valerie. Needless to say, the photographers killed a ton of films on this
scene. Prior to the opening session, a self-claimed Tony Fan 'Cindy' faxed
a sheet of questions to all major newspapers in regards to Tony. (Bravo!)
The fax was then passed to Tony by the reporters. Tony had to answer some
very sensitive issues.
Question #1: Every time Tony was asked why he does not go out
with Carina, he would always say he sleeps early. But just a few weeks
ago, he was being photographed and videotaped going out with Maggie Cheung
for more than six hours playing pool at night. Why does he have time to
spend with Maggie, but not Carina?
Answer: During that day, Jet Stone had a dinner party. Carina
was not able to come due to her film commitments. The report emphasized on
me playing pool with Maggie, but it had no mentioning of the dinner party
hosted by Jet Stone.
Question #2: Valaire Chow will be filming Hero Bone Kind Heart
with Tony. Would Tony consider dating Valerie again?
Answer: Silly.
Question #3: Tony and Carina have no plans to get married. It's
clear to everyone their relationship is simply a plaster. They had been
seen regularly dating other people. Why do they pretend to hold onto the
relationship?
Answer: I will not answer that.
8/6/2000, "HUP GWUT YUN SUM" (HEROIC BONE KIND HEART) held a
prayer opening session last night. The main casts, Tony Leung, Michelle
Reis, Kenny Bee, Esther Kwan attended the session along with producer Wong
Ji. Hero Bone Kind Heart had started shooting two days ago. Tony casted as
a doctor, romancing Michelle Reis, his patient. Another cast member,
Valarie Chow also attended the opening session (she had a brief rumored
affair with Tony back in the early 90's). Quite a number of fans showed up
for the event. The crowd got a little out of hand with the aggressive
autograph seekers.
6/27/2000, as promised, Tony and Carina attend premiere of CROUCHING
TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Tony again declines to comment on what birthday gift
he received from Carina, but later it's said a gift watch.
6/26/2000, Tony went to a private birthday dinner with Carina
celebrating his 38th birthday. A party of nine attended Tony's birthday
dinner, mostly his family members and close friends. Tony declined
interviews, but said thanks to the well-wishers. He plans to attend the
premiere of Chow Yun Fat's CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON at night.
6/15/2000, Tony was interviewed by RTHK Putonghua Channel Radio Station
in a special feature of the Great China Series. He spoke about his
childhood, the growing years, and all the hardships he endured throughout
the 18 years of acting career. As the only boy brought up in the single
parent home, it shaped his personality traits more than anyone could
imagine. Tony is reserved, a quiet thinker. He does not communicate well,
nor did he care. He enjoys solitude, finds peace surfing on the ocean,
alone inside of the study room. But it's also this trait made him the
perfect match for a movie career. Playing movie character allows him to
display the hidden emotion which he rarely shows in public settings.
Because it's role-playing, he does not feel shame or insecure expressing
his deeper thoughts. As Cannes Award summits a glorious career, Tony looks
ahead and hopes to venture into Hollywood. To hear the entire Interview,
go to RTHK
6/15/2000 broadcasting.