Today’s theme: 장국영 (Leslie Cheung)

On April 1st, 2003, beloved Hong Kong actor and singer, Leslie Cheung, 장국영, decided to end his life at a Hotel in Hong Kong. Most people were in disbelief when the news was reported that afternoon. His fans came to him through their love of his music and his performances on the screen, both large and small, but they stayed with him, and even now, over 15 years after his death, they stay with him because of his warmth, simplicity and humbleness of character. In commemoration, we listen to the songs he sung and look into the movies he performed in.

The Conversationalist

with

Writer & Director Robert Joe

His film with John Woo (오우삼), A Better Tomorrow (영웅본색), has opened up the era of new genre in Hong Kong cinema called “heroic bloodshed.” Can you tell us more about these movies and how A Better Tomorrow has set the tone for many similar films?

Farewell My Concubine (패왕별희) 1993 - Can you first tell us about Peking opera which the main characters perform? This film wins Palme d’Or in Cannes Film Festival in the year of the release. How do you think it shed light to Chinese cinema?

&

Mathew Scott

Hong Kong based freelance journalist who writes for South China Morning Post

“Fifteen years passed since his death, but he is still missed in Hong Kong. Can you give us a sense of how big of a star he was there, the space he takes in Hong Kong people’s mind, perhaps by comparing him to western celebrities?

What are some of the Leslie Cheung films that are most popular among the local people in Hong Kong?”

Media Monster

Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries

Next week: Constitutional Reform