HONG KONG - There's too much lust in "Lust, Caution" for Andy
Lau.
The veteran Hong Kong actor-singer says he was shocked by the sex
scenes in the new Ang Lee spy thriller and that he would have never
agreed to star in the film.
"Lust, Caution," which won the top Golden Lion prize at the recent
Venice Film Festival, is about the sexually charged relationship
between an undercover activist and a ruthless intelligence official
in the Japanese-allied government in Second World War-era
Shanghai.
It features violent, abusive sex scenes that have earned the movie
restrictive ratings in the U.S., Hong Kong, Taiwan and
Malaysia.
Lau, 46, said in a news update posted on his official website
Thursday he was impressed by the performance of contemporary fellow
Hong Kong star Tony Leung Chiu-wai, who plays the intelligence
official Mr. Yi.
"I can't believe Tony knew that he had to stage such a daring
performance when he agreed to star in the movie. Honestly, I
couldn't portray that character. I wouldn't take the role if I knew
(about the explicit sex scenes)," said Lau.
"Tony is really stunning," he said.
Alice Tam, a spokeswoman for Lau, said Thursday director Lee did
not approach Lau about the role of Mr. Yi in "Lust,
Caution."
