Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai walks on the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the 27th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan on Oct 5, 2022. (PHOTO / AFP)
Hong Kong star Tony Leung Chiu-wai was widely congratulated as he became the first Chinese actor to win the lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival, one of the most prestigious movie awards in the world.
On Monday, the Venice Film Festival announced it had selected Leung and Italian director Liliana Cavani for Golden Lion awards for their lifetime achievements in the movie industry.
They will receive their awards at the 80th Venice Film Festival, which will be held from Aug 30 to Sept 9 in Italy.
Hong Kong star Tony Leung Chiu-wai said he was honored to have been recognized for the lifetime achievement award; he added that he hopes to celebrate with all the filmmakers he has worked, with as it is also a tribute to them
Leung, who is a household name in Hong Kong, said he was honored to have been recognized for the award; he added that he hopes to celebrate with all the filmmakers he has worked, with as it is also a tribute to them.
Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival, said Leung as a charismatic performer and one of the finest actors of his generation.
His roles have not only spanned a great variety of genres, but also have bridged television, popular culture and art-cinema, Barbera said.
ALSO READ: Classic play gets act together
Hong Kong Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said on Monday that Leung’s constant pursuit of achieving a higher level of artistic performance over the past few decades is the embodiment of Hong Kong's cultural richness.
Yeung added that Hong Kong movies and filmmakers have gained recognition worldwide and have received a number of international awards in recent years, and the special administrative region government and the Hong Kong Film Development Council will continue to provide support and push for sustainable development of the industry.
The 60-year-old Leung has pocketed awards at many regional and global film festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festivals, the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Horse Awards.
READ MORE: Bite-sized entertainment
Earlier this month, Leung received the best actor award at the Asian Film Awards for his performance in crime thriller Where the Wind Blows.
The veteran actor has starred in three films that won the Golden Lion awards at the Venice Film Festival, namely A City of Sadness in 1989, Cyclo in 1995 and Lust, Caution in 2007.