As a seasoned gamer of life and cinema, I find myself captivated by the stories of Tony Leung and Johnnie To, two titans of their respective fields who share a deep-rooted love for the silver screen. Their dedication to frequenting cinemas, reminiscent of my own unwavering commitment to gaming consoles, is truly inspiring.
Legendary Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, well into his fourth career decade, continues to make a regular visit to the cinema.
On Tuesdays, during the Tokyo International Film Festival, where he’s presiding over the competition jury, the actor mentioned that he still finds himself visiting the cinema four to five times a week. This is something he’s been doing ever since he was young.
However, the actor, who is admired by movie enthusiasts for his roles in films like Won Kar Wai’s “In the Mood for Love”, Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution”, and Zhang Yimou’s “Hero”, among many others, has expressed that assessing movies during a film festival alters his viewing experience significantly, often causing him unease.
This year, Leung is serving on the jury in Tokyo alongside fellow film heavyweight from Hong Kong, Johnnie To, acclaimed filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi from Hungary, Japanese actress Ai Hashimoto, and Chiara Mastroianni, a French actress who is the daughter of renowned European film icons Marcello Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve.
In a humble moment, Leung admitted to occasionally feeling less knowledgeable or intelligent while presiding over movies as jury president, working with such brilliant jury panel members. He chuckled as he expressed this sentiment.
To, who directed Leung in the 1998 Hong Kong crime thriller The Longest Nite, was more sanguine about his role at the festival. The filmmaker — a noted gourmand and wine connoisseur, not to mention the creator of about a dozen Hong Kong classics, including Mad Detective, Election and Breaking News — said he visits Tokyo several times each year to enjoy Japan’s “wonderful cuisine.” He added that he and Leung had been sharing tips on their favorite restaurants in the Japanese capital, arguably the world’s greatest food city. But the director said he was also in Tokyo with “work to do” this week and would bring an open mind to the festival’s diverse film selection.
Previously, I often had preconceived ideas or hopes when watching a film, only to be let down more times than not. Now, I strive to approach each movie without any prior expectations or biases, making the experience more spontaneous and immersive for me.
As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but admire Marcello Mastroianni, whose upcoming film, “Marcello Mio,” has been selected as the closing feature for the 2024 Tokyo Film Festival. Interestingly, he remarked that Chow Yun-fat’s frequent moviegoing is no longer the norm among audiences today.
regrettably, attending movies in theaters has become a valuable and scarce practice globally, as people have adopted new routines – due to digital platforms, COVID-19, and various other factors. I greatly respect those who continue to advocate for film festivals, as I believe it’s not just about discovering talented filmmakers, but also relishing the unique experience of watching a film in a theater alongside strangers, with whom you will share this special moment.
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2024-10-29 09:24