BEIJING, Mar.26 (Xinhuanet) -- Having long been the subject of
tabloid headlines linking her to male singers such as Daniel Chan
(Chen Xiaodong), Nicholas Tse(Xie Tingfeng) and Jordan Chan (Chen
Xiaochun), Cecilia Cheung (Zhang Bozhi) this time catches the
public attention for her talent rather than romantic life.
Cheung goes into the 2004 Hong Kong Film Awards as a triple nominee
two in the best acteress category for her performances in Lost in
Time and Running on Karma, and one in the best original song
category, with the theme from Lost in Time.
With only five years of acting behind her, Cheung displays her
glittering acting talents in the roles which would have challenged
many more experienced actresses.
Director Derek Yee (Er Dongsheng) likens Cheung to a student who
can succeed in exams without studying. What she has is inherent
talent mixed with skills, he says. She can deliver the emotions
very effectively.
Yee, having directed Cheung in Lost in Time, can speak with some
authority. In one of the pivotal scenes when Cheung learns of her
fiances death, Cheung successfully expresses a string of emotional
transformations in just a few seconds, which is usually backed up
by years of performing experience. But Cheung could achieve it at
23.
Considering Hong Kongs lackluster output last year, Cheungs role
in Lost in Time is a frontrunner for the awards. Lost in Time will
probably stand Cheung in better stead than Johnnie Tos (Du Qifeng)
Running on Karma, where she plays opposite Andy Lau.
Cheungs strongest competition is expected to come from Carina Lau
(Liu Jialing) who portrays as the wife of a band leader in Infernal
Affairs 2. Other best actress nominees include Sandra Ng (Wu Junru)
as Ah Kum, the prostitute with a heart of gold in Golden Chicken 2,
and Karena Lam (Li Jiaxin) in Floating Landscape.
Its no easy for a pretty woman to find a place in an industry
obsessed by beauty. Cheung, although possessing the flawless
features and sexy figure demanded of a leading lady, has undergone
plenty of difficulties and drawbacks before coming into fame. And
her eventful family life and romantic affairs also contribute to
her molding of different characters.
Cheung was sent to Australia to study at the age of 14 when her
parents divorced. At 17, she returned home. After she appeared in a
television commercial for a soft drink, talent agents set their
eyes on her.
In 1999, Cheung starred as a young nightclub hostess who won the
heart of Stephen Chows (Zhou Xingchi) impoverished actor in King
of Comedy. Despite being a supporting role, Cheung did her best. It
was enough to garner her a nomination for best newcomer at the 1999
Hong Kong Film Awards.
But it was Jingle Mas (Ma Chucheng) tearjerker, Fly Me to Polaris,
released in the same year, that forged Cheungs career as a
glittering A-list actress. Ma once said she was without a parallel
for her age.
Despite her age, shes experienced a lot by being sent to study
overseas at a young age, and she has a pretty complicated family
situation. This background has been a great advantage, said
Ma.
After Fly Me to Polaris, she appeared in a lot of popular movies
including Para Para Sakura, Cat and Mouse and The Lion Roars. She
also starred opposite renowned South Korean actor Choi Min-sik (Cui
Mingzhi) in the drama Failan.
Now Cheung is in Beijing working on Chen Kaiges new movie, The
Promise, which has garnered wide media attention and is expected to
be a hit when it comes out.
Cecilia Cheung will be the most glamorous figure on the night of
April 4 when she goes to the 2004 Hong Kong Film Awards armed with
three nominations two in the best acteress category and one in
the best original song category.
