Marital arts and kung fu movies may have helped to promote Hong Kong movies to the world, but it was Leslie Cheung who has made a great contribution to elevate the status of Hong Kong cinema in the global arena with his outstanding acting skills in expressing human spirit or Hong Kong people's sentiment in depth.
I can understand why the Mainland directors got a strong inspiration from Leslie and invited him to star in their movies. A lot of movies tend to stress action or force in order to attract people's attention. However, Leslie's performance has easily crossed national borders and has evoked the sympathy of people around the world by portraying human sufferings and agony that is universal to all mankind.
By continuing to watch Leslie on the screen, one will be able to live the springtime of life. Leslie will continue to shine brightly and stay young forever on the screen.
Lyrics of the song "Me"
Leslie 's song "Me" represents his strong belief and independent spirit. In the song, he sings that he wants to be true to himself. Can you think of any Japanese singers who have sung such song? "Me" indicates Leslie's strong intention. In an interview by Mr. Eiji Ogura, a Japanese music critic, Leslie commented, "The most important thing for a man is to continue to hold one's belief". Leslie did continue to hold his belief and because of that, I feel he had to suffer from the gap between the reality and his belief.
Today's screening
Movie theatres around Japan are screening Leslie's movies, but it is not so common to see fans hold a screening of his movies by themselves. Today's screening is very significant in that sense. I am happy for Leslie to see so many people, not only his fans but so many different people attending the screening today. I believe that all of you here will be able to have a splendid day.
Movies will remain forever even if the actors in them are no longer with us. One's youth may not come back in real life, but youth on the screen will be there forever. By watching such movies, we will be able to stay young at heart.
The Cultural Revolution that started in 1966 prevented film directors from shooting movies for a decade. New Chinese movies were born by tiding over a period of hardships. Cheng Kaige and Ye Ying had to undergo a severe ordeal as well before they were able to shoot movies that they really wished to shoot. Chinese movies were enhanced and the best of them was drawn forth through the hardships and stormy days that they had gone through.
Today's screening affords us a precious opportunity to watch the best quality of such Chinese movies as well.
Asian Cinema Now
Participation of Asian movies to film festivals held around the world is essential in making them exciting. Without the participation of Asian movies, film festivals become less interesting. We have entered such an era in which Asian movies are gaining general acceptance and popularity around the world. But the present prosperity of Asian movies owe most of all to people like Leslie who have made a great contribution in enhancing and prospering Asian movies by giving a full play to their ability and taking an initiative as leading figures.
Leslie has left us when we expected him to play a further key role in Asian cinema. How I wish he were able to achieve his dream of directing a film! By loving movies and having a favorite actor, we can enjoy our youth forever. Leslie has shown us through his performance, dream, hope, people's way of life, and an indefatigable spirit to overcome obstacles. People often comment that Leslie's eyes are sensual. They are not only sensual but have a touch of sadness. One can see a melancholic shadow passing over his eyes occasionally. His eyes reflect his sentiment towards life, as if he were asking himself in the midst of sadness, true meaning of life and what ought to be done to seek truth.
By watching his 2 movies closely after my lecture, I hope you will be able to have a dialogue with Leslie face to face on life.
Thank you very much for your kind listening.
Memorial Screening & Lecture attended by 1000 people /May 30 2004