1989

A Change in Cheung

In May Leslie Cheung starts his final world tour.  Then the record-breaking singer/film star will move behind the scenes to direct films.  Buzz reporter Shirley Chan talked to Leslie about this change of direction

Fortunately for Leslie's thousands of fans, short-sightedness exting­uished his childhood dreams of life as a pilot or ship's captain. But his showbiz career has still satisfied his thirst for travelling, almost. "I love to travel but I am always working abroad, either making films or playing gigs when I visit other countries. "I would love to be able to spend more time in different countries when I am older. Totally relaxed travelling, without any pressure. "And I would like to live in one place for a period to discover more about the culture there. There are still many places that I haven't been to yet, say Russia, Greece and Mainland China."

Leslie, 32, has just come back from a two-week Lunar New Year holiday in America. "I couldn't get to any shows or concerts because everything was fully booked and I spent all of my time in San Francisco because there was a sudden snowstorm." But the break obviously did him some good. He's put on a little weight and is more relaxed for his Stateside jaunt. As a fledgling culture vulture, Leslie's favourite holiday acquisition is an old oil painting which he bought for $20,000. "It is a good investment, just like buying real estate." he explained.

Appropriately for a superstar's final world tour his summer itinerary is extensive. "I shall spend 20 days between Malaysia, Australia and Singapore in May. Then I will be back for a 10 day break. "In June we shall tour America and Canada then go to Europe in July. "The gigs will be sung in Cantonese." The last leg is in Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Mainland China in August. "I shall donate 30 percent of the profit from each concert to a children's charity in that country," Leslie explained. There will also be a specially-written song for each event, "So the children and I can have a community song at the end of each show. I call that The Children's Song." (89年的世界巡迴演唱會30%收入撥捐給當地兒童作慈善用途, 並特別作了一首「兒童之歌」作為每一站演唱會完結時的主題曲。)

Before the world tour Leslie will spend ten days in Taiwan on promotional duty with labelmate Ann Bridgewater and their manageress Florence Chan. When he gets back, he will go to Paris to shoot his own TV special for TVB with Maggie Cheung and Cherrie Chung and film director John Woo, Leslie will write the script. The show should hit the screens by the end of April. Then the world tour. Then he starts shooting a film with George Lam in September and begins preparation for his regular Christmas concerts in Hong Kong.

His dream to become a film director materialises early next year when he will make a film with John Woo. The details of the film are a closely guarded secret but he did reveal that it would take the form of a modern thriller-love story. He is also planning to send a particular message to the audience, "a new definition of love," he explains. In order to see things more subjectively, Leslie is not going to act in the film, just direct. "My favourite lead actor for my debut film is Wang Chieh. I find his melancholy character meets the needs of the film which is a sad story. It has a sad ending." (他計劃執導的第一部驚慄愛情片原來想找王傑演出, 因為他覺得王傑的憂鬱型像很適合片中的角色。)

"Showbiz could be a lifetime's career for me but I might work be­hind the scenes, it is not necessary to show off my face all the time. "I really admire Sylvia Chiang, (Taiwanese film actress-cum director-cum-singer-cum-songwriter). She is talented and manages to combine her on­screen and off-screen work."  There was a time when Leslie told people: "I don't think I'll make a superstar. I am not too ambitious," and "I may never become a director.” How does he feel now? "This doesn't mean what I said is untrue. It is just the time that makes the difference. People think differently at different times.” "I regard myself as successful during the last two years but not because I have topped Alan Tam or my early competitor Danny Chan. In fact, I never aim to top anyone. I just compare my work now with what I've done in the past.” "When I started in showbiz, no one (including myself) knew whether I would make a superstar one day. I have been trying very hard and I think the effort I paid counts more than the other factors.”  "I also appreciate those people I worked with. Without their help, I might not be what I am now."

Leslie thinks self-confidence has something to do with fate too. "You never know what you are going to do next. For instance I helped Ann Bridgewater groom her image recently. Many people think I have done a great job but I never thought I could do it until I tried it. I never know I could write my own song until I did it."

Leslie admits there were bad times in his showbiz career but, on the whole, he has enjoyed it. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," he quips. "Now that I have fame and wealth my life has become smoother. It is more relaxed than before but this has only happened in the last two or three years.”

Leslie believes it is important to know one's own merits and demerits. "Take Anita Mui as an example, she knows her arms are too thin to look good. So she simply hides them away and creates a fashion for long sleeves. She knows her long legs are attractive so she wears mini skirts. She knows she dances very well so she often dances on stage." "However, to understand oneself properly takes a whole team of people analyzing what is good or bad."

And what does Leslie hope for in his old age? "I hope I will still be happy and young at heart. Also I would not like to look too old.” Will he be with the one he loves? "Not necessarily." "Although I will quit showbiz that doesn't mean I will totally retire. There are still many nice things to do. Like running a coffee shop or opening an interior design workshop with my partner."

He will not go back to school though. "One's future does not merely lie in a school report," he explains and though he did not complete his studies at Leeds University in Britain he has no regrets.

"If I had not taken the path I did I may not be as mature or make as much money as I have made now. My life in showbiz helped to polish me.”

Leslie keeps quite a distance from the press usually "because I hate people putting words in my mouth.” "I know some of them are very professional but reporters with numerous pen-names like to make up stories, especially about my love affairs.”  "I am not saying I am afraid of the stories they make up but there are many people who believe in the stupid saying that 'there is no smoke without fire’ " "I would rather people tell me that they don't like me, rather than criticize me behind my back, especially when it is not true. If they are frank, I will be."

Shirley Chan,

Buzz

香港報章