It had been a while since Tony Leung Ka-fai made a high-profile appearance at a European film festival, which made his presence at the 2025 Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy feel particularly special. Calmly seated in the hospitality suite of the Teatro Nuovo, sipping a beer while photographers and journalists moved around him, the legendary Hong Kong actor exuded quiet confidence. “I like this festival,” Leung shared. “Cannes is more formal and commercial. Here, it’s more relaxed. I can be myself.”
This year, Leung had the honor of presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to director Tsui Hark following a screening of their latest collaboration, Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants. Adapted from Louis Cha Leung-yung’s classic novel, the film sees Leung take on the role of Venom West, a villainous martial artist aiming to conquer the world. The movie climaxes with an intense showdown between Venom West and the hero Guo Jing, portrayed by rising star Xiao Zhan. Leung recalls the exhaustion hitting him only after the cameras stopped rolling, saying, “During the shoot, I felt no fatigue. But back in my room, when the costume and make-up came off, I just collapsed.”
When asked whether he prefers playing heroes or villains, Leung remains unfazed. “It doesn’t matter. Each role is another life. I’ve done 150 films over 40 years, each one different. I’m lucky—I get to live so many lives.” He insists he doesn’t need personal experiences to portray a role convincingly. “If I’m playing an emperor, I study how they acted. The wardrobe, the set, the extras—they all help me become that person.”
Leung reflects on his childhood, describing himself as a quiet, observant only child. “I didn’t talk much. I’d just watch people. Now those memories come back in gestures or emotions I bring into a role.”
After Udine, he will travel to Cannes for the premiere of Sons of the Neon Night, a long-awaited crime thriller with an ensemble cast. Avoiding specifics, he instead rescues a fly from his beer, a small gesture that echoes his deep attention to life’s details. For Leung, acting is not about awards. “The best reward? When someone calls my name on the street. That’s when I feel happiest.”
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