The Bottom of Heart (Tony's interview)

[Looney Tune]

Thanks to Cancer of Tony Leung Forest for posting the transcript.



TVBS电视节目对白记录
《真情指数》
主持：蔡康永
嘉宾：梁朝伟

片头音乐及画外音：身为香港TVB五虎将一员，梁朝伟出道时受到大力培植，演出许多八○年代经典港剧，与其他青春偶像不同，他愿意演出另类角色，也很早就在演技上获得肯定，过去他参与大量商业电影，也曾走前卫颓废路线在台湾出唱片，现在他是许多大导演指名合作的对象，今年他又以一部电影当三次影帝，二○年来蜕变进化，成了现在我们看到的梁朝伟。

累

蔡康永：梁朝伟从演员培训班毕业之后，他演了八年左右的电视剧，到现在为止他演过六○部左右的电影，最近在访问中他常常提到说演戏是比较吃力的事情，比较累，那是哪一种累呢，我看过他提到很多不一样的累。（转向tony）我看到你说《花样年华》经过四个不一样的季节，夏天要热死，冬天要冷死，还要被很脏的水洒在身上，痒痒的，很苦啊，这是一种累，然后你又说演员演戏时那个精神要进去，然后又要拔出来，尤其是演王家卫电影的时候要花很长时间，特别累。哪一种比较累？身体的累还是……
tony：精神上的累，尤其是最近几年我突然间会这样觉得，以前没有觉得，可能是体能，会没有从前那么好。比如一场戏，如果你的……恩，它的起伏也很大，恩，其实你演完一次以后已经会很累，我们平常痛哭一场之后，好象会睡得特别好，但是你只要哭一次，可是我们可能要重新再来重新再来，可能要三十次，四十次，所以那是要很多很多体能才可以做得到。
蔡康永：最累的是王家卫的要求吗？我看到你说，你要……吃27个梨子啊？
tony：对。（笑）
蔡康永：这是被他整的最高记录吗？还是有更惨的……
tony：还有更糟的，拍《花样年华》的时候，要吃26碗馄饨面，到最后简直是，我跟他说，真的，导演，没办法，我真的很想吐，我现在还没有拍，我闻到那个已经很想吐。他说，恩，明白，拍完这个再说……（笑）
蔡康永：要真的吃吗？
tony：对白很长，那一场戏很长，你肯定会吃完的，你总不能假装，假装肯定能看得出来的。在那个时候已经很想吐了，因为……已经吃了很多碗了……
蔡康永：所以最惨都是跟吃东西有关……（笑）
tony：对对，最怕都是跟吃东西有关。
蔡康永：27个梨子是什么时候的事？
tony：《阿飞正传》。
蔡康永：可是我们在电影里没有……
tony：没有没有，没有看到，因为那些都没有用到……
蔡康永：你……白吃了27个梨子啊？！
tony：（笑）对。
蔡康永：他跟你讲的时候都叫你自己试，都不叫停，就一直演一直演，演到你演不动为止？
tony：对，演到我演不动为止。
蔡康永：可是你又说喜欢演他的戏啊……
tony：很矛盾，因为他是一个要求很高的导演，但是他也有其他导演没有的东西给我，他可以给我很长时间，给我很多非林，慢慢去把那个角色演出来，慢慢去体验那个角色，从不同的角度去尝试那个角色……
蔡康永：恩。
tony：还有就是在……生活在那个角色里的时间很长，就变成我演他的戏肯定比其他的都好，因为不需要赶嘛，你会有很长的时间去创作那个角色……
蔡康永：恩？
tony：因为平常正常一部戏可能需要三十天拍摄的日子，那就只有三十天的时间，我们演员不是神仙，不可能按一个……按一个开关我就可以立刻进入一个另外一个人，基本上是不可能，而是强逼自己慢慢去习惯另一个人的习惯，慢慢去投入这个角色，可能我投入的时间已经用了15天，或者，20天，最后那10天才是进入那个人，可是等我进入的时候已经拍完了，所以很多时候我都……（很苦恼皱眉叹气）唉……我都觉得蛮困难的……但是拍王家卫的我就不怕，因为，（笑）他用的时间肯定比我长，我可能三个月的时间已经进入了，但是他还没有拍完，所以我很放心（笑）……
蔡康永：可能拍三年都没有拍完……
tony：对，所以我很放心，还有很多时间可以慢慢去摸索……
蔡康永：但是你常常觉得特别累的事情也是在这样的导演的折磨下才会这么累啊。
tony：对啊，我常常觉得你已经拍完了……你还有什么要拍？我就觉得很累……（笑）
蔡康永：梁朝伟在《阿飞正传》中有一个很特别的处境，就是拍了半天观众只有在电影结束的时候看到他出来梳头，把东西放在口袋里，然后就结束了，可是梁朝伟觉得那个结尾很不错。如果是别的演员拍了半天结果只剩下那样几分钟，大概会发疯，你呢？你刚开始发现这个情形有没有……
tony：（笑）我以为没有我的。……因为我那个时候我是在拍《阿飞正传》，拍到刚刚进入状况，因为刘嘉玲发生了一些事情，然后我就说我现在不能拍，我现在……
蔡康永：恩，你要帮刘嘉玲处理一些事情……
tony：我要……我要陪她，我说我不拍戏了，他们说等，我们等你……等我（笑）我说你拍其他人，不用再拍我，我现在不能拍。所以那个时候我完全没有觉得自己有机会，有什么片段在里面。
蔡康永：哦。
tony：我已经完全不拍了。
蔡康永：你为什么不要别人等你呢？
tony：因为我觉得人还是比较重要，戏不拍以后还有其他的电影，我需要很多时间去陪这个人，她需要我比我需要电影多，电影不拍一年后还是有其他的可以拍。
蔡康永：那你本来演的是张国荣那个角色？
tony：不是，是另外一个角色。
蔡康永：哦。我们从来没看到过？
tony：就是最后那个角色。
蔡康永：梳头的那个？
tony：对。
蔡康永：所以他还是留下了那个片段。
tony：本来是作为第二集的预告，但是后来那个电影票房差强人意，所以就没有，没有机会。

回顾来时路

蔡康永：梁朝伟进入香港的演员培训班有个人带他去，就是周星驰，结果他考上了，周星驰却落榜了。据说周星驰手上还有一卷他用8厘米拍下的你们两个到山上去打架的一场戏。
tony：（笑）
蔡康永：所以你演戏最早是他教的，在进入TVB以前？
tony：（笑）对，可以这样讲。
蔡康永：谁拍呢？你们两个……
tony：他拍，我们两个，他也是导演，也是演员，他演正派我演反派，最后被他打死。
蔡康永：真拍吗？真有演？
tony：真的有拍，拍完还有打有剪接，在家里放。
蔡康永：有给其他人看吗？
tony：没有，只有我们两个人看，我是陪玩的。
蔡康永：周星驰是主要促使你去演员培训班的原因。
tony：他让我感觉到在演员培训班有很多东西可以学。
蔡康永：那你们两个同时去考？
tony：对。
蔡康永：那你考上他没有考上，他怎么办？
tony：他很苦恼啊。
蔡康永：你没有，没有感觉到很内疚，对不起他？
tony：我不是评判，不是我挑的，是他们挑，我有什么办法？
蔡康永：你那时进入TVB真的像周星驰讲的那样很多东西可以学？
tony：我找到一个渠道可以去发泄我的情绪。
蔡康永：不可以在别人面前表现情绪是那个时候你很烦的事情吗？
tony：很压抑，我已经习惯很压抑自己情绪，其实很情绪。如果找不到渠道就会很痛苦。所以我常常在家里自己跟自己讲话。
蔡康永：什么时候的事情？
tony：很小的时候，念书的时候，自己跟自己讲话。后来发现这个渠道觉得很舒服，心理上好象有一个出口，很舒服，所以就爱上了演戏。
蔡康永：梁朝伟虽然说他很小时候养成压抑自己感情的习惯，但我看了那么访问他都还蛮坦诚地提到这个习惯是来自一个单亲家庭，我想说你第一次提到很小时候爸爸离开家庭这件事情的时候，你的心情是……很自然地愿意记者知道这件事，已经不介意？
tony：我那个时候已经不介意，只有在小时侯上学的时候才介意，介意了很多年，到长大了开始让自己不介意。
蔡康永：讲出来就不会再介意了……
tony：但是小时侯很在意，六几年不大有这家庭这样，你学校里面班级里面其他同学都没有，只有你，你就会……怎么讲？那只有离开人群，把自己孤立起来，建一个墙，不讲话，就不会提到，怕触动那个……会觉得为什么其他人这样只有我这样？会自卑。后来长大环境又不一样。
蔡康永：后来你跟舅舅住一起，对你后来的个性有影响吗？我看到有一个资料你小舅舅要你不穿上衣到马路上去玩，那是几岁的事情？
tony：十岁左右，十岁以下。
蔡康永：所以他们对你，要把你训练成一个像男生的男生吗？
tony：我不知道，但是我跟他们学了很多东西，我妈妈很多兄弟姐妹。
蔡康永：你第一个工作是在舅舅的店里送报纸？
tony：没有，在我妈妈的姐姐超级市场送货，送去香港英军宿舍，他们会订一些食品，罐头……就会每天，那是我们放暑假的时候。
蔡康永：你妈妈把你送去的是外国人读的学校吗？
tony：对，很小时候，幼稚园到小学三年级。我那个时候很皮，我小的时候跟一般的小朋友没有分别，非常皮，脾气很差，每一年打架，不能毕业，要见爸爸妈妈，见家长，说你的儿子，很懒，不用功，调皮，又打架，又作弊，明年再这样就不能升班。签名。第二年继续发生……（笑）直到家里发生了状况。


画面：《新扎师兄》片段
画外音：《新扎师兄》里的张伟杰，有着与梁朝伟类似的单亲家庭背景，原本青涩阳光的警校后踏入警界后，努力把持心中良知，挣扎在善恶是非之间。梁朝伟和张曼玉的对手戏，是许多人对八○年代最深刻的记忆。

戏迷

蔡康永：梁朝伟在接受采访时曾经说过，他因为个性上不喜欢情绪表露在别人面前，所以演戏对他来讲，可以宣泄一些情绪，如果躲在角色背后哭的话，也一样达到哭的功能，但是不被认为是一件可耻的事情。我看到他在提到他演电视剧《新扎师兄》的时候，他说他跟张曼玉演对手戏然后，常常演完一场戏就会倒在地上大哭。后来我又看到他演到了《阿飞正传》还是会回去躺在地上哭，（转向tony，笑）你演完戏常常哭吗？
tony：没有，因为我是那个时候……（笑）
蔡康永：《新扎师兄》的时候为什么哭？
tony：《新扎师兄》的时候是……开始有一点……走火入魔，就是完全，那个时候还不懂得，好象现在，怎么离开那个角色，做回自己，哪个时候是很混乱，让自己简直分不清楚究竟什么时候是我，什么时候是那个角色，所以很痛苦。
蔡康永：别的电视演员有这样子吗？
tony：我没有听说过有……（笑）
蔡康永：别人看到你这样哭，不会觉得你很奇怪吗？
tony：我不一定会在他们面前哭。
蔡康永：回去哭？
tony：对。反正那个时候很辛苦。
蔡康永：恩。
tony：然后，《阿飞正传》，是因为我觉得我自己演得不好，因为每一次都是因为我，我拍很多次，拍二十几次，因为也有对手跟我一起演的嘛，我都是跟张曼玉演，但是王家卫都是说（学王家卫撅嘴，摇头）：重来，梁朝伟你……再来，（笑），一直都是我。
蔡康永：别人都不用重来吗？
tony：别人……没有，就是……原因都是因为我。然后我就……拍完很多次，他又带我去看那些毛片……
蔡康永：恩。
tony：看完以后我就觉得……（皱眉），为什么我演起来好象怪怪的？我就觉得很苦恼，为什么自己演得不好？然后回到家就很不开心，哭。
蔡康永：《阿飞正传》被导演要求一再地重来，这个事情后来还有一直发生吗？就是你一直跟王家卫合作的时候……
tony：其实一直都有发生……（笑）一直都有发生。
蔡康永：还是针对你吗？就是别的演员也都没有你重来次数那么多？
tony：我觉得还是我问题出最多。
蔡康永：连《春光乍泄》或者《花样年华》都是这样？
tony：对，《花样年华》都是这样。我记得还是《花样年华》的时候，有一场戏是因为我拍了三天，也拍不好，结果没有用。
蔡康永：很难演吗？
tony：我觉得很难演。
蔡康永：是什么？
tony：是一场我跟张曼玉的戏，两个人要偷情，那场戏要很好笑，但是大家要哭……哭得很厉害，但是要很好笑，我说……（哭笑不得，叹气挠头）
蔡康永：要哭又要很好笑？
tony：对，要出来的效果大家都会笑，但是你们要哭得很惨的。（笑）哗！……那一次就拍得我……因为你知道你要拍一场戏要很多人的配合，灯光啊，摄影师啊，你的对手啊，所有的人都已经准备好在那边，很近距离的，灯光已经在这边（做架灯姿势），摄影机在……一直……（叹气）再来。（笑）你的压力会越来越大，拍完第一个take以后就好象觉得大家都……不是大家的问题，都是我的问题，然后你就压力越来越大，（摇头）结果还是拍不好，（叹气）拍了三天，哗！……结果拍到我，什么信心都没有。
蔡康永：我看到网路上讲，因为网路上的消息常常是错的，所以问一下，拍《2046》的时候，王家卫还是跟记者讲，梁朝伟交的都是行货，就是你都拿旧东西来敷衍他？
tony：（摇头）这个是……
蔡康永：这是错的。
tony：错误的，基本上是一个花边新闻。其实拍《2046》里面没有这回事，反而是我们有一些新的东西，是观众从来没有看见过的。
蔡康永：啊哈？
tony：其实是一个《花样年华》的延续 ，但是这个角色他希望我这一次会……我是演同一个人，但是用不同的演法，去表演同一个人。那我就说，刚开始的时候就已经跟他说，跟他讨论，我说（吃手，思忖）……这个不太可能吧，这个很难，我说你给我一点东西，起码。他说那你想要什么？我想要一个胡子。
蔡康永：（笑）
tony：起码让我有一个东西抓住，我才是另外一个人。然后他说，（学王家卫酷酷的）如果没有胡子呢，就比较厉害，有胡子还是比较，（撇嘴）大家都可以想象到。但是我说（质疑地皱眉）……没有胡子很难啊，会很难啊，因为那个人我已经……其实在我的身体里面，那个周幕云，你不给我一些东西让我有一点点感觉不一样，我很难……我很难从那一点开始去变化出另外一个人，（笑）如果不是的话我会……因为我潜意识里面已经有那个人，只要我一启动我就可能，他自然就会出来，那个人讲话的节奏，因为我已经在那个人里面生活一段时间了，现在重新再挑起那个人物的时候，我很容易就进入那个人物，我很难去重新再调整自己，所以我需要一些东西我感觉是不太一样的，有一点点不一样。结果他也同意，看完片以后他觉得，也是对的，有一个胡子会比较好一点，（笑），的确是这样，因为我觉得演员他有，总有他的一些……恩……
蔡康永：需要依靠的……
tony：需要一些方式，或者一些东西，让他去进去某一个角色，所以我觉得还是需要这样。但是他没有什么不满意啊，他也觉得，蛮好的，（笑），我演的，（笑得很开心）。

画面：《花样年华》片段
画外音：一九六○年代，压抑的香港，一个遭到妻子背叛的报社编辑，周幕云可能是梁朝伟遇到过最内敛复杂的角色，无法用言语动作来表现的情绪，有时候甚至要用背影来耐人寻味。
画面：《花样年华》得奖、环球宣传、《地下铁》花絮
20年戏剧生涯，梁朝伟尝试过各种虚拟人生使得他如同少年般的单纯笑容，透着一种看尽人生百态的圆融温和，演员的说服力和明星光彩，在梁朝伟身上协调地并存。他可以优游在严肃题材和商业电影之间，演完狠辣警察，再扮同志耍宝，他就是有办法让观众接受他的演出。表面上惟利是图，其实是个很有人情味的骗子，梁朝伟在《地下铁》里，悄悄温暖着观众。

蔡康永：梁朝伟这次带给大家新的作品是《地下铁》，《地下铁》他以他的角色出发，给这个电影增加了很多原著所没有的剧情。其实他参与编剧这件事情，我看到的资料还很早，听说他在演员训练班的时候就已经开始自己编剧了……
tony：（笑）
蔡康永：这个很了不起，你们的老师提到说，别的演员都是拿现成的剧本？
tony：对。
蔡康永：然后你坚持自己编一个剧来演。那是什么？作业吗？还是考试？
tony：考试，大考。
蔡康永：啊哈？
tony：就是最后一次的考试。
蔡康永：那时侯你还没有真的开始当演员？
tony：还没有。
蔡康永：1982年，你20岁。
tony：对，1982年。
蔡康永：编什么剧呢？
tony：没有啊，就是编一个很简单的剧情的东西去把我一年里面学的东西都可以去放进去，都可以演出来给所有评判看，我才知道我一年里面学了什么东西嘛，所以我应该去写一个我觉得那方面是我做得最好的，所以我就把那个东西全部放进去（笑）。
蔡康永：你20岁的时候在香港TVB的演员训练班是一个什么样的学生？我看到两种说法，一种说你常常翘课，能够逃掉的课就逃掉，可是你又愿意自己编剧本来演，所以你是喜欢的课喜欢，不喜欢的课就翘课……
tony：其实我没有怎么翘课的，我没有怎么翘课的，我是乖学生的。
蔡康永：真的吗？不是说你什么练劈腿、拉筋……
tony：（皱眉笑）哦！唯一就是那个功夫……
蔡康永：功夫课？
tony：功夫课，我唯一翘课的就是功夫课，因为那个实在是太痛苦了，我觉得那个东西不是一天两天可以做得到，劈腿……要你一天完成……（笑）
蔡康永：做不到的……
tony：做不到的，所以只有那个课，我是翘课，其他的我没有翘课。
蔡康永：所以有一个课要跳过去一堆竹剑……
tony：对对对……那很恐怖。
蔡康永：教授说要选打屁股或者跳过去……
tony：对啊，我选择打屁股。
蔡康永：真的吗？
tony：（笑）对。
蔡康永：结果你有被打屁股吗？
tony：有。
蔡康永：（笑）可是考训练班的时候不好考吧？你怎么觉得你可以考得过？
tony：我没有觉得我可以考得过，我试试看而已……（笑得极其单纯无辜）
蔡康永：不是要做一些表演吗？
tony：对，要做表演，试试看嘛（笑得极其憨笃笃）
蔡康永：所以谁教你怎么准备那些东西？
tony：没有找人准备啊，就是自己看完以后（傻忽忽地做捧书姿势）觉得怎么做就怎么做。
蔡康永：考些什么？演一些剧本里的角色吗？
tony：对镜头讲一段对白啊，然后完了以后就自己演一段戏啊，就是这样的东西。有一些老师在里面问一些问题，就这样啊。
蔡康永：可是你从来没有演过戏……
tony：从来没有，……但是我在学校也是有……有一些活动，比如说参加很多比赛啊，比如说……比如说……演讲比赛……
蔡康永：恩……
tony：类似的那些比赛。
蔡康永：有赢吗？
tony：没有，……（突然笑得很开心）
蔡康永：（笑）可是就是反正你还可以面对一群人就是了。去演员训练班有发钱吗？
tony：没有钱。但是中间工作的时候也会存了一些钱。其实也是每天很惨，每天只有十块钱，所以不能迟到，不能……太迟起床，因为你错过那个公车你搭计程车，你就那天不用吃饭。因为没有钱，（笑）只有十块钱，包括车费跟吃中饭的那个钱，所以我每天只能花十块钱，才可以维持那一年。
蔡康永：哦……
tony：所以也是，我妈妈那个时候不赞成就是，有份工作，你突然间这样，那一年怎么办？
蔡康永；所以这对你来讲还是一个蛮大的选择啊，你不但没有收入了，还要花钱？
tony：对，所以……我不理的，我不管。还好我妈妈没有反对，她虽然不赞成，但是也没办法，你要这样，不过你不要后悔，我说我不会后悔，（笑）我从来不后悔，所以结果也敖过了那一年。还好就是我比较，真的很幸运，一出来那个儿童节目找我去当主持，那时已经有这个固定的收入，因为你一个礼拜两天录影，电视台是每一个show去算的嘛，现在我固定有一个收入，另外拍电视的时候不是有更多的收入吗？当时那个监制对我真的很好，除了做儿童节目，还可以拍电视剧，还可以拍广告。
蔡康永：从演员训练班毕业的时候，TVB里的监制，听说只有一个儿童节目的找你主持是不是？
tony：对。
蔡康永：其他的戏剧的监制没有找你？
tony：刚开始的时候没有，不是没有，是只有那个儿童节目的监制，说有没有人要这个演员？没有人要我要，（笑），就是因为她，我才有机会在镜头面前做了很多练习，对镜头已经习惯了。
蔡康永：可是做儿童节目的主持一定要很开心吧？笑嘻嘻的吧？
tony：（笑）对。
蔡康永：（笑）这不是跟你的本性不合吗？
tony：不太合。
蔡康永：所以勉强一点的做吗？
tony：对，不是勉强，但是那个时候刚刚出来，对什么东西都……都很兴奋，（笑，转悠闲）你又不会觉得太难受，你又觉得是一个开始，是这样的，所以还好，现在要我做我肯定不会做，（笑）。
蔡康永：（大笑）现在叫你主持儿童节目！
tony：（笑）
蔡康永：20岁的时候看到自己出现在电视上面，很兴奋吗？就是觉得自己是明星了吗？
tony：（没反应过来）……兴奋？……（笑）……还好，没有特别觉得。
蔡康永：你有找别人一起看自己出现在电视上吗？
tony：（很努力思考）……又没有故意，因为我忘记了，那时侯实在太忙了。
蔡康永：所以有空就睡觉了，是这样吗？
tony：对。
蔡康永：哗！
tony：有的时候，比如说《鹿鼎记》，我大部分是在棚里看的，就是我同时间在拍其他的电影，所以在棚里的时候有放我的电影我就在棚里看。

从《悲情城市》开始

画面：《悲情城市》片段
画外音：接演《悲情城市》之前，梁朝伟虽然已经拿过两次香港电影金像奖，但是对于他演技的肯定仅止于商业市场。侯孝贤让梁朝伟抛开形象的限制，演一个遭受白色恐怖迫害的音哑摄影师，虽然梁朝伟并不满意自己的演出，但至少观众从《悲情城市》中感受到了他的企图心与可塑性。

蔡康永：梁朝伟在他演过的众多电影当中，有一个对台湾的观众来讲比较特别的，就是他演过侯孝贤导演的《悲情城市》，他事后追忆这个角色或他其实没有很满意自己的表演，虽然他演的是一个哑巴，可是他还觉得不是用自己的语言演出其实总是造成了一些隔阂。我看到一篇有趣的访问说台湾的报纸记者去了香港访问梁朝伟的母亲，梁朝伟的母亲说，她看到哭得最厉害的一次就是看《悲情城市》，她看到梁朝伟演一个坐在监牢里的哑巴，她说就跟梁朝伟在生活中是一模一样，不讲话，然后她看到那个哑巴要被抓去杀掉的时候她就觉得好可怜，就哭得要命。我看到那篇访问说，你妈妈说她哭到你从房间里跑出来，问她发生什么事啊？你还记得这件事吗？
tony：不记得了。
蔡ò

[Looney Tune]

A very good interview. The interviewer is Chai Kang Yong, the same guy who is the MC in Golden Horse Award. I shall attempt to translate the article, but looking at the length of it, it'll take some time. Not very sure if I can translate it with the original meaning intact, shall try my best. Shall post it up later when I'm done.

[Guest]

thanks a million Looney *MUACKS*

[Guest]

maybe somebody can help Looney to translate?

[Looney Tune]

I shall translate and post it up in parts as the interview is really long. I have tried to stick to the original words as far as possible, but for some I had to rephrase the sentence, either because of not being able to find an exact word or phrase, or due to mental block. In any case, I have tried to stick to the meaning as closely as I can.

PART 1

Transcript of TVBS interview “From the Bottom of Heart”
Interviewer: Chai Kang Yong (CKY)
Guest: Tony Leung (TL)

Prologue:
As one of the 5 tigers in TVB, Tony was given lots of opportunities when he started out with TVB. He has acted in many Hong Kong drama series classics in the 80’s. Unlike many young idols, he was willing to take on different roles, and his acting skill has been recognized very early on. He use to make lots of commercial movies before, and has also released albums in Taiwan in his avant-garde image. Now he is the choice actor of many great directors. This year, he clinched 3 Best Actor awards with one film. His metamorphosis over these 20 years gives us the Tony Leung we see today.

Tiredness

CKY: After graduating from TVB Acting Class, he had been acting in TV series for 8 years. Up until now, he has acted in about 60 movies. In recent interviews, he often mentioned that acting takes a lot of effort, and is tiring. What kind of tiredness is he talking about? He has mentioned many different kind of tiredness. (Turned to Tony) You said that ITMFL saw four different season (note: they took 15 months to complete the film), very hot in Summer, and freezing cold in Winter. Dirty water thrown on them made them itch, it’s terrible. That’s one kind of Tiredness. And then you said that the actor needs to put himself into the role, and pull himself out later. Especially tiring in Wong Kar Wai’s film which stretched over a long period. Which kind of tiredness is worse? Bodily or….

TL: Mental tiredness. Especially these few years. I did not feel it before. Maybe in terms of stamina, I am not as good as before. For example in a scene, if your….umm, it’s emotion has very big ups and downs, umm, after one scene would have left you very tired. Usually, we sleep very well after a big cry, that’s when you only cry once. But we may have to do it again and again, sometimes up to 30, 40 times. And that takes a lot of stamina.

CKY: Was the demands of Wong Kar Wai most tiring? I read that you have to….eat 27 pears?

TL: Yes. (laughed)

CKY: Was that a record? Or was there anything worst…..

TL: There’s worst. In ITMFL, I have to eat 26 bowls of Wanton Noodles. Eventually, I have to tell him , really Director, I can’t help it, I really feel like vomiting. The smell of it is enough to make me vomit. He said, umm, understood. We’ll talk about it after finishing the scene… (laughed)

CKY: Did you really have to eat it?

TL: It has a long dialogue, and it’s a long scene. You definitely could finish the noodles. You can’t pretend to eat because it would have been noticeable. But I really wanted to vomit then,…I had eaten many bowls….

CKY: So the worst are those that involve eating. …..(laughed)

TL: Yes. Very scared of those that involve eating.

CKY: What’s with the 27 pears?

TL: Days of Being Wild.

CKY: But in that movie, we didn’t…

TL: No, you didn’t see it. Because it wasn’t used.

CKY: You ate 27 pears for nothing?

TL: (laughed) Yes.

CKY: He asked you to try out yourself, and didn’t ask you to stop. You kept on acting until you couldn’t continue anymore.

TL: Yes. Until I couldn’t continue anymore.

CKY: But you said you like to act in his film..

TL: Very contradicting. He is a very demanding director. He also has something that the other directors could not give me. He can give me lots of time, lots of film, to slowly draw the character out. To slowly experience the character, and use different angles to play the character….

CKY: Umm.

TL: And…as you live in that character for a long time, I act better in his film than the others. As there is no rush, you can use a long time to invent the character.

CKY: Umm?

TL: Because usually a film takes 30 days to finish filming. Only 30 days. We actors are not deity, we can’t just press a ….press a switch to immediately get into another person, basically impossible. You have to force yourself to get used to the habits of someone else. To immerse in the character slowly. If I take 15 days to do it, or 20 days, I would get into the character only in the last 10 days. But when I’m in, the filming would be over. So many times I…..(frown and sigh) hai…I think that it is quite difficult…but I have no such fear doing Wong Kar Wai’s film, because…, (laughed) he will definitely take a longer time than me. I may be into the character in 3 months, and he’ll not be finished. That’s why I’m not worried (laughed)…..

CKY: Probably won’t finished filming in 3 years…

TL: Yes. That’s why I’m not worried. I have time to slowly try out…….

CKY: But the tiredness you always feel is when you work under such a director.

TL: That’s right. I always feel that he have finished filming. ….what else does he want to film? I get tired…(laughed)

CKY: In “Days of Being Wild”, Tony was in a special situation. That’s after spending half a day (I thought he filmed for 10 days??) filming, the audience only got to see him at the end combing his hair, putting something in his pocket, and that’s the end. But Tony think the ending is not bad. If other actors see their half-day work only left a few minutes on screen, they’ll probably go mad. What about you? When you discover this did you…….

TL: (laughed) I thought I won’t be in it. …..because when I was getting into the filming of “Days of Being Wild”, because something happened to Carina , I told them I cannot continue with filming. I have to..

CKY: Umm, you have to settle some things for Carina.

TL: I want to.. I want to be with her. I said I am not filming. They said they’ll wait, we’ll wait for you…wait for me (laughed). I said you film the others, don’t film me. I can’t do it now. That’s why at that time, I did not expect myself to appear in the movie.

CKY: Oh.

TL: I stopped filming completely.

CKY: Why don’t you want them to wait for you?

TL: Because I think people are more important. That’s always another film if you don’t do this one. I needed a lot of time to be with this person, she needed me more than I needed the film. You don’t do a film for a year, and they’ll always be another one.

CKY: You were originally casted for Leslie Cheung’s character?

TL: No. It’s another character.

CKY: Oh. We’ve never seen it?

TL: It’s the character at the end.

CKY: The one combing his hair?

TL: That’s the one.

CKY: That’s why he kept that segment.

TL: It was intended as a preview for part two, but it did not do too well in the box office, so there was no….was no opportunity.

To be continued.....

[Looney Tune]

PART 2

Looking Back at the Road Traveled

CKY: When Tony entered the TVB acting class, someone brought him there, and that person is Stephen Chow Sing Chi. Tony got in, but Stephen was not selected. Heard that Stephen has a row of 8mm film of both of you fighting in the mountains.

TL: (laughed)

CKY: So your acting was taught by him, before joining TVB?

TL: (laughed)Yes, you can say that.

CKY: Who filmed it? Both of you…

TL: He filmed both of us. He was the director and actor. He was the good guy, and I was the bad guy. I was eventually beaten to death by him.

CKY: You all really filmed? Really acted?

TL: We really filmed. After filming three was editing, and screening at home.

CKY: Did you show it to other people?

TL: No. Only the both of us watched it. I am accompanying for fun.

CKY: Was Stephen the main reason why you joined TVB acting classes?

TL: He made me feel that there is a lot to learn in the training classes.

CKY: And both of you went for the test together?

TL: Yes.

CKY: And you made it while he didn’t. How did he feel?

TL: He was troubled.

CKY: You didn’t, you didn’t feel bad, feel that you wronged him?

TL: I am not the judge. I didn’t do the selecting, It is them. What can I do?

CKY: When you entered TVB, was there a lot to learn like what Stephen said?

TL: I found a channel to release my emotions.

CKY: Unable to show emotion infront of others, was that troubling you?

TL: Very suppressed. I am used to suppressing my emotions. Actually very moody, if I can’t find a channel it’s very torturous. That’s why I always talk to myself at home.

CKY: When was this?

TL: When I was very young, still studying. I talked to myself. When I found this channel, I feel better, as if there is an exit, feel comfortable. That’s why I love acting.

CKY: Tony said that he used to suppress his emotions when he is young. In the many interviews that I read about him, he is very forthcoming with mentioning that his habit arises out of being in a single parent family. I want to ask you about the first time you talked about your father left your family when you were young, you were….willing to let the reporter know about this, it doesn’t bother you anymore?

TL: I think at that time I don’t mind it anymore. Only during my schooling years did I mind very much. Bothered me for a few years. When I grew up, I make myself not to be bothered by it…..

CKY: Won’t be bothered by it if you talk about it…..

TL: But I was bothered by it when I was young. There were not many such families in the 60s. Your schoolmates and classmates don’t have it, only you. You will…how do I say this? Distance yourself from the rest, isolate yourself, build a wall around you, don’t talk, and you will not mentioned…afraid that it’ll stir up…. The feeling that why isn’t anybody else like that, why is it only me? You’ll feel inferior. My environment was different when I grew up.

CKY: You stayed with your uncle after that. Did that have an influence on your character? I read information on you where your youngest uncle made you play in the streets topless, how old were you then?

TL: About 10 years old, below 10 years old.

CKY: So they were treating you…wanted to trained you up to be more manly?

TL: I don’t know. But I learned a lot from them. My mother has a lot of brothers and sisters.

CKY: Your first job was distributing newspaper in your uncle’s shop?

TL: No. Delivering goods in my mother’s sister’s shop. Delivering to Hong Kong British Army Hostel. They ordered food, canned food…..and I make delivery everyday, that’s during my summer holiday.

CKY: Your mother sent you to a school for foreigners?

TL: Yes. When I was very young, from Kindergarten to Primary 3. I was very naughty, just like other children. Very naughty and has a bad temper. Every year I’ll get into fights, and won’t be able to graduate, and they ask to see my father mother, my parents, said that your son, is very lazy, not hardworking, naughty, gets into fights, copy in exams. If he repeats this next year, he’ll not be promoted to the next level. Please sign. And the next year, the same thing happened again….(laughed), until something happened at home.

To be continued....

[Guest]

[Looney Tune]

PART 3

Showing scenes from Police Cadet.
Narration: Cheong Wai Kit in Police Cadet shares the same single-parent family background of Tony. A fresh young man from Police School stepped into the Police world, tried hard to hold on to what he believed in.
Struggling amongst good and evil, right and wrong. The scenes between Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung left a deep impression on many people in the 80's.

Film Fanatic

CKY: Tony mentioned an interview that due to his character, he doesn't like to show emotions infront of other people. Acting let him find an exit for his emotions. If he cries behind a character, it has the same effect of crying himself, and yet will not be considered embarrassing. He said that when he was filming Police Cadet, he'll drop on the floor and have a big cry after he has finished a scene with Maggie Cheung. After that, I saw him in filming "Days of Being Wild", he still goes back and lies on the floor and cry,(turned to Tony, laughed) do you often cry after every film?

TL: No. At that time I was......(laughed)

CKY: Police Cadet. Why did you cry?

TL: During Police Cadet, it was starting to get....out of control. It was completely, at that time I didn't know, not like now, how to extract yourself from the character. To be yourself again. It was all very confusing, I couldn't tell when it was me, and when it was the character. It was very torturous.

CKY: Did the other TV actors go through it?

TL: Never heard of it....(laughed)

CKY: When the others saw you cry, didn't they find you strange?

TL: I don't necessarily cry infront of them.

CKY: Go back and cry?

TL: Yes. It was tough at that time.

CKY: Umm.

TL: After that, in "Days of Being Wild", I felt that I was not acting well. Because it was me all the time, I repeated many times, film 20 something times. I was acting with another actor, I acted with Maggie, and Wong Kar Wai always said (mimic WKW purse his lips and shake his head) : Repeat. You Tony Leung, repeat....(laughed), it's always me.

CKY: The others did not need to repeat?

TL: Others, no...It's always because of me, and I have to....repeat many times,and he took me to see the shots...

CKY: Hmm

TL: After seeing them, I felt...(frowning), why do I look so strange? And I'll be troubled, why can't I act well? And I go back unhappy, and I cry.

CKY: After being asked to repeat over and over again by the director in "Days of Being Wild", did the same thing happened again? When you are working with Wong Kar Wai?

TL: Actually all the time (laughed) all the time

CKY: Still picking on you? The other actors did not repeat as many times as you did?

TL: I think I had the most problem.

CKY: Including "Happy Together" and "ITMF"?

TL: Yes, for ITMFL as well. I remembered that in ITMFL, there was s scene that wasn't used as I took 3 days to film, but still the result wasn't good.

CKY: Was it a difficult scene?

TL: I feel that it was difficult.

CKY: What was it?

TL: It was a scene with Maggie. Both of us were to commit adultery. That scene has to be funny, but everybody has to cry....cry very hard, but it has to be very funny. I said....(expression of don't know whether to laugh or cry, sighed and shook his head)

CKY: Have to cry yet be very funny?

TL: Yes. The effect is to make everybody laughed, yet you have to cry very hard.(laughed) Wah! That time I was...You must know that when you do a scene, you have to coordinate with many people, lighting, camera man, your fellow actor. When everybody is ready, the close distance, the lighting is there (made an action of positioning the light), the camera is there...continuously...(sighed)repeating. (laughed) You get more and more pressured. After the first take, you feel that everybody is....it's not their problem, it's all my problem, and your pressure increased. (Shook his head) In the end, I still didn't get it right.
(Sighed) after 3 days, wah!...I have lost all confidence.

CKY: I read on the internet, as many information on the internet are false, I would like to ask you, In 2046, Wong Kar Wai told reporters that you were giving him your usual performance, that is you are giving him old stuff?

TL: (shook his head) This is...

CKY: It's not true.

TL: Not true. It's just frivolous news. It didn't happen in 2046. In fact, we have something new there which has never been shown before.

CKY: Ah Ha?

TL: It's a continuation of ITMFL. But the character, he was hoping that I will...it's the same person...but played differently. I said to him when we were discussing , I said (bite fingers, thinking) ....this is quite impossible, very difficult, you have to give me something at least. He said what do you want? I said a moustache.

CKY: (laughed)

TL: At least I have something to capture, and then I can be someone else. And he said (mimic WKW cool looks) if that's no moustache, it'll be better. (Purse lips) With the moustache, everybody can imagine. But I said (questioning and frowning) it'll be difficult without moustache. Because that character is already in me, that Zhou Mou Yun, if you don’t give me something that made me feel different, it’ll be difficult. It’s difficult for me to start to turn the character into somebody else. (laugh) If not, I’ll….because that character is already in my sub-conscious, when I start, that character will appear. The pace of his speech. It’s because I have been living in that character for a long time, to play the same character again, it’s easy to get into it. It’s difficult for me to re-adjust myself. That’s why I needed something to make me feel different, slightly different. He eventually agreed. After watching the film, he agreed that it’s better with the moustache. (laugh). It was like that. Because I think that actors have their…..ummm

CKY: Need to rely on…

TL: Needs a certain method, or things to enter a certain character. That’s why I feel that it is necessary. But he wasn’t dissatisfied, he thought that it is quite good,(laughed) my acting.(laughed heartily)

To be continued......

[Guest]

the clips from the interview can be downloaded here (million thanks to snow from Spring light)

ftp://tony:tony@karp.mit.edu/new/true/01.rm
ftp://tony:tony@karp.mit.edu/new/true/02.rm
ftp://tony:tony@karp.mit.edu/new/true/03.rm
ftp://tony:tony@karp.mit.edu/new/true/04.rm
ftp://tony:tony@karp.mit.edu/new/true/05.rm

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Looney Tune]

Thanks Guest for the interview download. Makes it clearer for me to do the translation. It’s a must watch regardless whether you understand Mandarin or not. Watching his expressions and cute antics are already enough. By the way, this interview is showing on TVBS Asia on Tuesday, 7pm. Those who can tune in to TVBS Asia (available on Astro in Malaysia) should try to catch it.
Just got back to work from the Chinese New Year break. Have been tied up with all the festivities, so here comes the next instalment….

PART 4

Showing clips from ITMFL:
In the 1960s, a repressed Hong Kong, a newspaper editor betrayed by his wife, Zhou Mu Yun is probably the most reserve and complicated character that Tony has encountered. Unable to use words or actions to portray the emotions. Sometimes even the shadow of the back is used to stimulate the imagination of the audience. (note: I had difficulty translating the last sentence. Difficult to find an equivalent to the Chinese word. So, I took the liberty to interpret the sentence instead.)
Pictures of Tony getting the Cannes award for ITMFL, International promotion, SOC clips:
20 years of drama/movie career, Tony has experienced make-believe lives that made his youthful innocent smile tinged with the gentleness and forbearance of one who has seen all aspects of life. An actor’s ability to convince and the brightness of a celebrity co-exist harmoniously in Tony. He could play roles in movies with serious plot and commercial films with ease. After playing a tough cop, he could act as a homosexual with comedic antics. He has the ability to make the audience accept his performance. In SOC, Tony plays an unscrupulous conman, but actually has a warm heart. He warmed the hearts of the audience in SOC….

CKY: Tony is presenting his newest movie SOC to everybody. In SOC, he used his character as a basis to add a lot of stories that is not in the original book. On his involvement in script writing, I’ve seen early reports that he has dabbled in script writing as early as his days in TVB acting classes:

TL: (smiled)

CKY: This is really something. Your teacher said that the others used ready scripts.

TL: Yes.

CKY: But you insist on writing your own script. What’s that for? Exam? Assignment?

TL: Exam. Big exam.

CKY: Ah ha?

TL: That’s the Final exam.

CKY: You were not yet an actor then?

TL: Not yet.

CKY: 1982, you were 20 years-old.

TL: Yes. 1982.

CKY: What script did you write?

TL: No, it was a very simple script which I have put in all the things that I have learned in the year to show to the judges. Only I know what I have learnt in the year, and I have put in what I thought I was best at. (laugh)

CKY: What kind of student were you like in TVB acting class? I saw two versions; one of you skipping classes, avoiding those that can be avoided. Yet you are willing to write your own script. So you only attended those classes that you liked, and skipped those that you don’t….

TL: Actually I didn’t really skip classes. I was a good student.

CKY: Really? Didn’t they say when you learn Pi Tui, La Jing (some kung fu terms…Don’t know what it is.) ….

TL: (Frown) Oh! Only one is Kung-fu…

CKY: Kung-fu lessons?

TL: Kung-fu lessons, the only one I skipped is Kung-fu. Because that is too torturous. I don’t think it’s something you can learn in a day or two. Pi Tui …you have to learn it in one day…(laugh)

CKY: Can’t do it….

TL: Can’t do it. So I only skipped that one class, not the others.

CKY: There was a lesson where you have to jump across a pile of bamboo swords?

TL: Yes…it was terrifying.

CKY: The teacher said you could either choose to jump, or your bottom be smacked.

TL: Yes. I chose to have my bottom smacked.

CKY: Really?

TL: Yes (laughed)

CKY: Did you really get smacked?

TL: Yes.

CKY: (laughed) Exams for the training class (I think they are talking about qualifying for the class here) must be quite tough, how did you know that you‘ll make it?

TL: I didn’t. I was only trying……(laughed)

CKY: Didn’t you have to perform?

TL: Yes, we had to perform. I was just trying…..(laughed)

CKY: Who taught you how to prepare?

TL: Didn’t get anybody to help prepare. I just read up (making the action of reading a book) and did what I felt should be done.

CKY: What did they test on? Act as one of the character in the script?

TL: Did some lines in front of the camera, and then did some acting. Teacher asked some question. That’s the sort of things.

CKY: But you have never acted….

TL: Never…But I had some activities in School, for example taking part in competition….for example….public speaking competition.

CKY: ummm

TL: Competitions of that nature.

CKY: Did you win?

TL: No,…(laughed heartily)

CKY: (laughed) You were able to stand in front of a group of people. Did you get paid while attending the Training class?

TL: No. But I had some savings while I was working. Actually it was quite pitiful, I have only 10 dollars everyday. I can’t be late…I can’t get up late. If you miss the bus and had to take a taxi, then there is no money left to eat. (laughed) Only 10 dollars including lunch and transport. I can only spent 10 dollars a day in order to last for a year.

CKY: Oh…

TL: My mother was not approving of quitting my job, and wondered what I’ll do for that one year.

CKY: So it was a big decision for you. Not only do you not have any income, you have to spend money?

TL: Yes. I didn’t bother, I didn’t care. Lucky my mother did not object although she did not approve. But there’s nothing she can do, It’s what you want, but make sure you don’t regret it.I said I will not regret it. (laughed) I never regretted, and I survived that year. I was lucky, when I graduated a children programme asked me to be the host. And that’s a fixed income. I had 2 recordings in a week, and you get paid on a per show basis at the TV station. I had a fixed income, and in addition I get more when I acted in TV series. At that time, the producer was very good to me as she allows me to act in TV series as well as TV commercials. Actually it was not allowed (note: the last part was said in the downloaded clip, but was omitted in the Chinese transcript. I added it back in.)

CKY: After your graduation, I heard that only the Children programme looked for you.

TL: Yes.

CKY: Other drama series producers did not?

TL: Initially no. Not that they didn’t, but the Children programme producer asked if anybody wanted this actor, if not, she would take me. (laughed) It’s because of her that I had a lot of opportunities to practice in front of the camera, and get use to the camera.

CKY: But you have to be happy and always smiling in a children programme.

TL: (laughed) Yes.

CKY: That’s not in your character.

TL: Not really.

CKY: So it was a bit forced?

TL: Yes, not forced, but as I was new, everything is exciting, (laughed) you don’t feel too bad. You feel that it is a beginning, so it’s alright. If you asked me to do it now, I’ll definitely not. (laughed)

CKY: (laughed) Ask you to do a children programme now!

TL: (Laughed)

CKY: Were you excited to see yourself on TV when you were 20 years old? Felt that you are a Star already?

TL: Excited?…….(smile) it’s ok, didn’t feel it specially.

CKY: Did you get someone to see you on TV together?

TL: (trying hard to recall)…..Not deliberately. I forgot. I was too busy then.

CKY: Catch up on sleep when you had the time, was it like that?

TL: Yes.

CKY: Wah.

TL: Sometimes, for example “Duke of Mount Deer”, I watched it in the studio while I was filming another show. So if they show it at the studio, I’ll watch it.


To be continued....

[Looney Tune]

PART 5 (FINAL PART)

From the City of Sadness

Showing clips from City of Sadness:
Before “City of Sadness”, although Tony Leung had two awards from the Hong Kong Film Awards, but the recognition on his acting was only in commercial films. Hou Hsiao Hsien cut Tony free from the restriction of his image in his role as a dumb photographer victimized by the “White Terror” (note: Don’t know what it is, but my guess is it is referring to the historical upheaval where mainland China became communist and the Nationalist retreated to Taiwan after Japanese Occupation). Although Tony Leung was not satisfied with his performance, but the audience could see his intent and potential.

CKY: Of all the movies that Tony Leung has made, one particular movie holds a special meaning to the Taiwanese audience. That is he acted in Director Hou Hsiao Hsien’s City of Sadness. Tony Leung was not satisfied with his own performance in that movie. Although his character is dumb, he still felt that acting in another language is a barrier. I saw a ninteresting interview from a Taiwanese reporter who went to Hong Kong to interview Tony’s mother. She said that the time when she cried the hardest was City of Sadness. She saw Tony playing a dumb sitting in the prison, and said it’s just like Tony in real life, not talking. When she saw the character taken out to be executed, she cried even harder. According to that interview, your mother cried so hard that you came out of his room to see what was wrong. Do you remember this?

TL: No, I don’t remember.

CKY: Did you know that she saw City of Sadness, and feel that the movie is very tragic?

TL: Vaguely remembered something like that, but not very clear.

CKY: She said she did not dare to cry in the cinema, as she was afraid to let people know. So she rented the film back home and…

TL: (laughed)

CKY: She cried twice. And she said that she watched all your movies, but if you die in them, then she wouldn’t watch. Is that true?

TL: I don’t know.

CKY: Did you watch your movie with her?

TL: I seldom watch with her.

CKY: So you don’t know how she watched your movie.

TL: I don’t know. I only know that she likes watching movies.

CKY: Did she ever talk about your performance in the movies?

TL: No.

CKY: Do you find it strange about her crying?

TL: strange…not really. Because she’ll definitely see in some moments…. the real me. This will make her remember or remind her of her impression of me, a certain memory or impression.

CKY: So her feeling is different from your assessment of your own performance. Like in City of Sadness, you felt that…

TL: I did try very hard to act. But I was not happy with my performance after I watched it. I felt that that were too much “acting” in it. I seem to not being able to fit in with the rest of the actors, that…

CKY: different…

TL: Suddenly felt that I seem to be different from them. So unreal. They look natural, all the actions, expressions, you find that…you are very sharp.

CKY: Very deliberate…

TL: You can see it clearly, everyone could see me. I felt that I did not blend into the film. That’s what I felt after watching the film. That was just too much technique.

CKY: You mentioned being an actor is being controlled. You said that if you have the chance, you would like to be a producer, and not only be the controlled one. The movie after being edited always turned out different from what you thought.

TL: That’s right. I will be thinking, why didn’t you use that scene? Where did that scene go? Why did you edit this scene this way? I always have these thoughts. I think an actor is a passive figure, there is little thing that he can do, and his field of movements is very limited, which is limited by what the director wants of you, and limited by the script. You could only move within those boundaries. That’s why after doing for 20 years, you feel uncomfortable, and would like to try something else.

CKY: Only felt uncomfortable after 20 years….

TL: (laugh)

CKY: That’s quite long.

TL: But I have adapted. I am use to working within the boundaries of other people. To coordinate.

CKY: Umm.

TL: I hope to do some behind-the-scenes work. I have been thinking for many years, if I am not doing movies and not acting, what else can I do? I don’t have any other skills, I only know how to make movies. I hope to do something different that’s refreshing for me.

CKY: We have interviewed a lot of actors who has different assessment of their film career. An interesting one was interviewing Lau Ching Wen, he said that a lot of people asked him what is his biggest gain in his film career, he answered money. This answer is very frank, you seldom hear people say that outright. Will Tony Leung answer in this way?

TL: Having money is of course part of it, but the biggest gain is having lead an exciting and colourful 20 years. Being able to experience what a normal person can’t do. As an actor, you can experience a lot of things and not having to bear the consequences. I think that is interesting.

CKY: You can kill someone and yet don’t have to go to jail…

TL: Yes. You can go undercover without bearing the consequences. I think that is fun. You can be a playboy (smiled), but you don’t need to bear the pain of a baing out of love. These are the fun part. This has also make me more mature than my age, maybe because I’ve been through more which has accelerated the maturing process. This early maturity makes you pursue for simpler things, as I have been through too much, too many things, too many lives, too many experiences, and you realize that these are not what you want, and you find that you want to pursue a simple life.

CKY: Are you the type that will act till you are old, or do you not want others to see you old?

TL: No. I will act.

CKY: Until you are old?

TL: I feel that an actor’s depth is in his life experiences, his refinement, in his having absorbed many things and knowledge. With that, he’ll have depth in his acting, and the character will become 3-dimensional, and this grows with age. This is why I don’t mind continuing acting. When I look back at my acting 20 years ago, I find it too green, too thin, that character is not deep enough. Now when I see Happy Together and ITMFL,and it is different from before. That’s because I have changed as a person. I would like to see how I am when I am old.

THE END

[Looney Tune]

Just realised that I have left out portions of the Chinese interview in the first post. Couldn't add on to the original post, so here's the rest of the missing part....

从《悲情城市》开始

画面：《悲情城市》片段
画外音：接演《悲情城市》之前，梁朝伟虽然已经拿过两次香港电影金像奖，但是对于他演技的肯定仅止于商业市场。侯孝贤让梁朝伟抛开形象的限制，演一个遭受白色恐怖迫害的音哑摄影师，虽然梁朝伟并不满意自己的演出，但至少观众从《悲情城市》中感受到了他的企图心与可塑性。

蔡康永：梁朝伟在他演过的众多电影当中，有一个对台湾的观众来讲比较特别的，就是他演过侯孝贤导演的《悲情城市》，他事后追忆这个角色或他其实没有很满意自己的表演，虽然他演的是一个哑巴，可是他还觉得不是用自己的语言演出其实总是造成了一些隔阂。我看到一篇有趣的访问说台湾的报纸记者去了香港访问梁朝伟的母亲，梁朝伟的母亲说，她看到哭得最厉害的一次就是看《悲情城市》，她看到梁朝伟演一个坐在监牢里的哑巴，她说就跟梁朝伟在生活中是一模一样，不讲话，然后她看到那个哑巴要被抓去杀掉的时候她就觉得好可怜，就哭得要命。我看到那篇访问说，你妈妈说她哭到你从房间里跑出来，问她发生什么事啊？你还记得这件事吗？
tony：不记得了。
蔡康永：可是你知道她看《悲情城市》，觉得那个电影很惨吗？
tony：我好象有一点点记忆，但是不是很清楚。
蔡康永：啊哈？她说她在电影院不敢哭，因为怕被人家知道，所以后来租了电影回家去看才……
tony：（笑）
蔡康永：哭了两次啊，然后她说，你演的电影她一定看，可是如果你结尾死掉的话，她就不看，是这样吗？
tony：我不知道。
蔡康永：你没有陪她一起看过你演的电影吗？
tony：我很少跟她一起去看。
蔡康永：所以你不知道她怎么看你的电影？
tony：我不知道。我只知道她很喜欢看电影。
蔡康永：她有没有跟你谈过你，她有没有跟你讲过你在电影里的表现？
tony：没有。
蔡康永：所以她会哭这件事情对你来说很奇怪吗？
tony：很奇怪啊……也不会很奇怪，因为，她总会看到一些……真正的我，就可能会勾起了她在想象当中，记忆里面，可能我曾经……她对我的一个印象。
蔡康永：所以她的感受跟你自己对自己的表演的评价很不一样，像《悲情城市》你觉得根本就……
tony：我是很用功去演，但是我自己看完以后我不满意，因为我觉得太多演戏的痕迹在里面，我跟其他的那些非演员好象有一点格格不入，那种……
蔡康永：不一样的……
tony：突然间好象，很奇怪，好象跟他们有一点不太一样，不真实，我就觉得他们很舒服的，所有的动作、表情，你就突然……你就很锋利的……
蔡康永：很用力的……
tony：看得很清楚，每个人都会看到我的。我就觉得我好象没有融入那个戏里面。我自己看了以后我自己对自己评价就是这样，我觉得太多技巧。
蔡康永：有一次你提到说，你觉得演员终究是被控制的，所以你说如果有机会，你将来，最近就希望做监制，就不要只是被控制而已，所以你每次看到剪出来的电影，你都觉得跟你想的不一样。
tony：对，有一些地方我会觉得，为什么你不放我那一场戏呢？我拍过的那一场戏在哪里？为什么这一场戏这样去剪？我都会有这个想法。还有我一直觉得演员是非常被动的，他能做的东西很少，活动范围很窄，就是导演的那个方向，剧本的那个范围，你只能在那边跳来跳去，所以有的时候，做了20年了觉得有点不爽，会觉得应该要尝试一下。
蔡康永：做了20年才觉得不爽还……
tony：（笑）
蔡康永：还蛮久的。
tony：但是我已经适应，我适应在其他人的范围里面活动，做配合。
蔡康永：恩。
tony：但是我也希望，尝试一些幕后的工作。因为我反复想了很多年，如果不当演员，不做电影，我还能做什么？我没有其他的技能，我不会做其他的事情，我只会做电影，所以我也希望做一些对我来说比较有新鲜感的。
蔡康永：我们法访问过很多艺人，他们对于自己整个演戏的生涯会有不同的评价，有一次比较有趣的是我放访问香港的演员刘青云的时候，他直接讲了说，人家都问他演了这么多部电影，最大的收获是什么，刘青云就回答说，最大的收获就是有钱了。这个回答当然比较坦率，可是也很少听到有人会直接这样讲。梁朝伟应该不会这样回答吧？
tony：有了钱是当然的吧，然后最大的收获是，过了一个精彩的20年哪，过了一些普通人基本上是不可能有这样的体验，你做一个演员你可以体验很多东西是你不需要承受那个后果的，这个我觉得很有趣。
蔡康永：杀了人不用去坐牢……
tony：对啊，你可以做卧底，不真正要承受那种结果的，我觉得这个是最好玩的地方，你可以做一个花花公子，（笑），但是你不会去承受失恋的那种痛苦，所以我觉得好玩是这个地方。然后也让我比普通同年龄人成熟很多，因为可能经过的东西会比较多，加快那种成熟，更早成熟以后追求的东西会更简单，因为我已经经过太多事，经过太多的东西，经过太多的生活，有太多经验，好象经过很多东西，然后你很快就……原来你追求的不是这些东西，然后你会发觉你追求的就是最简单的生活。
蔡康永：你是那种愿意一直演到自己很老的演员，还是你就觉得不要给观众看到有一天我老掉的样子？
tony：没有，我会演。
蔡康永：你会愿意演到老？
tony：我觉得一个演员，他的深度，在于他对生活的体验，在于他的修养，在于他吸收不同的东西，不同的知识，然后他演戏出来才有那个深度，那个角色才会立体，所以我觉得年纪越来越大，才会更有那种味道在里面，我不会介意一直演下去，因为我觉得我现在看20年前演的，我会觉得很嫩，很薄，那个角色好象不太……不够深入，然后现在我看《花样年华》、《春光乍泄》，又会比从前很不一样，因为整个人改变，我也很想看看，我到年纪很大的时候，我会是怎样的。

[PhantomGaL]

Ohh my, thanks alot Looney Tune!!!
and yeah, not to mention, thanks for telling me about the interview time on Astro~!
Yay~!~!~!