On Taxi
I want to thank the Beijing Jiaotong Radio for
their thoughtfulness.
The Beijing Jiaotong Radio is the radio network with the highest
ratings in Beijing. Right at the beginning of 2004, it launches a
new programme - 'Music for Drivers' which is broadcasted every
Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Today's
programme is a tribute to Leslie!
Feeling totally powerless in a taxi amid the busy traffic of
Beijing, I almost wanted to get off (it) and change for a bus to
avoid the tedious traffic jam. Suddenly, a faint sound tinkled at
my ear. It's too familiar and warm. It's the song by Leslie!
Immediately, I asked the taxi-driver to tune the volume higher. I
sighed, "Leslie's song..."
At first, I was not certain whether it's Leslie's song. Don't
scold me, fans! I really didn't believe my ears. But when the
deafening sound of gongs and drums of the Peking Opera broke out,
my daughter immediately cried out, "Farewell To My Concubine!"
I was so excited. I let the driver tune up the volume again. I
was no longer afraid of the traffic jam. I hoped that the taxi
would never reach its destination! Greedily, I just listened...
The guest speaker of this programme was Mr Ye Da-ying, director
of 'A Time to Remember'. He talked about Leslie between the
songs. My daughter and I had almost bent over the front seat,
afraid of losing a single word!
Director Ye said that before he shot the film, he wanted to find
an overseas actor who was English-spoken, has a special charm and
with the makings of a revolutionary to play the role of Jin, an
enthusiastic communist. His sole impression of Leslie as Cheng Dieyi
in 'Farewell to My Concubine' was too feminine for the role,
hence he had no intention of asking him to be Jin. Ye's friends,
however, urged him to talk to Leslie. So, he met Leslie...
Before the meeting, Ye said, he could never imagine that Leslie,
with such gentle appearance, was in fact strong-minded and manly.
"Oh! That's the man I want." Ye thought.
Ye remarked that Leslie had no knowledge of the communist history
and what a revolutionary should be at the time of shooting.
What's so special and rare about Leslie was when Ye explained the
communist history and the plot to him, he stared fixedly at Ye
with the eyes like a child's (director Chen Kaige also talked
about Leslie's eyes). Ye (pointed out) also said that lots of
people came to the premiere of 'A Time to Remember' and many of
them were in fact fans of Leslie. Ha, ha...
Then I heard Ye repeated many times that Leslie was a good man
and it was very unexpected and a pity that he had left us... The
host speaker then broadcasted Leslie's song 'Eyes and brows met'.
My eyes watered...
I reached my destination before the song had finished. I told the
driver that I didn't want to get off his taxi!
- written from a Leslie's fan in Mainland China and kindly translated by Christina - many thanks to Julie