| INTERVIEW WITH JACOB
CHEUNG |
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| AN EXCLUSIVE BY HONG
KONG CINEMAGIC - COURTESY OF THOMAS |
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| "I cooperated with Leslie for
movie 'The Kid' (1999) which enabled me to realize his
respectable personality. |
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| This movie was made during the
depressing period of Hong Kong movies. 20 directors
united together to devote into a movement to boom the
film industry which meant that directors charged as
little as possible with low production fee while actors
worked without recompense and the earning was given to
people who needed it. Although all the 20 directors are
the most well-known ones in Hong Kong, only one movie,
'The Kid' supported by Leslie Cheung succeeded. In fact
except for Leslie Cheung no actors and big shot were
really willing to work for free but to make contribution
to the industry. |
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| Leslie indeed didn't ask for one cent.
He was so dedicated. Everyday he was the first one to
arrive at the shooting place and communicated a lot with
the little boy in this movie. It is a pity that even
though no one in the industry noticed him but regarded
him as a simpleton which made me very unhappy. I really
think Leslie is a very virtuous and benevolent man. |
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| From another cooperation, 'From Ashes
to Ashes' which is an anti-smoking topic, as the
producer, I found Leslie did an amazing job as the
director. He was very organized and competent. By then
Leslie had been in the film industry for nearly 30 years
and he had worked with all the best directors that he was
acquainted with everything to make a movie. He chose the
entire cast himself, talked with the screenwriter and
processed every scene very well. Most time I just sat
aside. I am pretty sure he could become a wonderful
director because he knew the crucial point for a direct,
which is to fully respect others. |
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| Besides Andy Lau has told me in his
mind the best actor who brings him a lot of pressure is
Leslie because of Leslie's marvelous acting." |