2002: Reunion of two tigers
Reunion of two ‘tigers’
Written by: Sharon Wong
Published in: The Straits Times (Singapore) on December 14, 2002
IN the movie Infernal Affairs, Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu Wai are two men living parallel lives but on different sides of the law, each surviving by their wits in a deadly cat-and-mouse game.
In reality, they defy the Chinese saying that two tigers in the same territory cannot co-exist in peace.
In town to grace the world premiere of the movie, these two tigers (they were two of the five “tigers” promoted by HK-TVB some 10 years ago) not only showed that they are still the best of friends but also complemented each other in all aspects.
While Lau went for the formal look in a suit, Leung decided to be more casual in a black shirt and pants, both looking incredibly dashing and easily drawing eager looks from jaded journalists at the Press conference organised by Golden Screen Cinemas.
Nothing fazed them and they fielded questions thrown at them from all sides, not only in their mother tongue Cantonese, but also in Mandarin and English. They were totally awesome! After over eight years, the two old pals finally found the vehicle to cross swords again on screen and both were delighted with the opportunity.
“It was fun working together again after so long,” said Leung with Lau echoing the sentiment.
“Since leaving the TV station, there hasn’t been much opportunity for us to work together,” Lau continued.
“It was a comfortable feeling.”
But despite the lapse of time, the two insisted that nothing has changed. “Andy is just as professional today as he was in the past,” said Leung. “The only difference is that he has matured.”
Lau returned the compliment and added that their partnership on screen today could be said to be close to perfection. So much for competition among actors in the same movie.
“There is no such thing,” Leung said. “We all worked and helped each other for the good of the movie – and that’s the way it should be.”
All eyes turned to Lau and if anybody expected him to say anything to the contrary, they were sorely disappointed as he nodded approvingly at Leung’s statement.
“I agree totally,” he said grinning.
Indeed, if there were to be competition, it would certainly be a really tough one because Infernal Affairs boasts of not one or two but four Best Actor Award winners in the cast, namely Lau, Leung and their co-stars Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang.
“Anthony is very cool and mature while Eric is a joker and was very funny during filming,” Leung said.
“The directors, too, were very precise and positive. Everything was run on a tight schedule.”
When asked who he thinks would be likely to receive a Best Actor Award for the movie, Leung said that no matter who gets it, it would be for the movie on the whole, and that would be all right by him. Again, Lau nodded in agreement.
Lau may be the more outgoing – certainly more mischievous – of the two but apparently, Leung seemed to have beat him to the “punch lines” this time.
The story about two moles planted in the police force and a triad is an interesting arrangement and Lau felt that the movie offers a complex plot with gripping encounters between the two.
“My character is uncommon as it is rare to find a triad mole in the police force. There was no precedent to draw on. At times, I didn’t know whether my character should feel good or bad.
“But the director told me that good or bad is up to the individual and that I should just go along and co-operate with the rest of the cast and it would bring out the character,” Lau said.
Needless to say, Lau, with all his experience portraying cops, comes off pretty convincingly but Leung does not do too badly as well. In fact, he seems perfect for the scruffy role of the triad member. Not that he was anything like the character at the Press conference when he was clean- shaven and all spruced up.
“Perhaps that’s the impression I give people,” he said, flashing his million-dollar smile. “I am usually seen as quiet and melancholic and thus am easily typecast in such roles.”
And how does he get so convincing? “You have to first convince yourself that you are (a member of the) triad. If you don’t believe it yourself, who will? It’s the same principal in acting – you have to convince yourself before convincing the audience.”
For Leung, the most memorable scenes from the movie are those filmed on the rooftop because they had to brave the scorching sun. Lau, on the other hand, feels that the scene where all the major players in the movie come face to face in the police station for the first time is unforgettable.
“It was a strange situation,” he said. “You know you are the mole but you can’t let others know. Initially, I didn’t know what to do but eventually realised that I didn’t have to do anything at all!”
For his love interest in the movie, Lau especially requested for Sammi Cheng as he felt that after numerous movies together, the audience had already accepted them as a couple and thus they would not have to waste time trying to lay the foundation of a romantic relationship.
And as for Edison Chen and newcomer Shawn Yue portraying Lau and Leung in their youth, both veteran actors claimed that it would not be feasible for them to comment on their performance as they did not have the opportunity to work with the former directly.
“We can’t very well share the same screen time,” laughed Lau. “I think they had a tougher time as they have to be us while we only have to be ourselves.”
Besides their onscreen collaboration for Infernal Affairs, the old friends also did a duet for the movie’s theme song.
“Actually, it felt a little funny singing together again,” said Lau.
“It has been such a long time since we acted or sang together – the last time was, I think, for some fund-raising event for TVB.
“I felt like a kid again, returning to the times in TVB when we were only in our 20s.
“It is not common for two men to do a duet, especially if the theme is not about love. I don’t know if it will become a hit but I do know that it would be reflective of this era.”
For Leung, singing the theme song must be the icing on the cake, which couldn’t have occurred at a better time as he had wanted to focus more on his music.
Although he has released albums in the past, music has never played a major role in his career but apparently, the bug has bitten again.
Leung has just completed a new album, which is scheduled for release at the end of this month. He clarified rumours that he is fed up with the entertainment scene and wants to retire.
“I never said I wanted to retire,” he said. “I have been acting for 20 years because I love it. But I do need a break so that I would not get stale and be caught in a rut. As for breaking into Hollywood, no matter where, as long as the script is good, I will consider.
“However, I have two more movies to complete next year and then, I hope to concentrate on my music.”
“I will have a new album out, too,” chipped in a mischievous Lau, who might have been feeling a little left out with all the attention focused on his partner – understandable since Leung does not come to Malaysia as often as Lau does.
Lau went on to reveal that he would be holding his concert tour next year. “And I would love to have the chance to work with Tony again – not only on the big screen but also in the music scene.”