September 12, 1956, was the birth date of the late Hong Kong star Leslie Cheung. His Internet fan club (www.leslietong.com) is now presenting a special photo exhibition to commemorate the life of the talented artist at the Shanghai Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.
Cheung's singing career began 30 years ago and his fans were dismayed when he committed suicide in Hong Kong by jumping from a hotel in 2003.
These photos as well as some movie posters offer a retrospective look at some of his moments of glory in the limelight.
Cheung had a tough childhood after the divorce of his parents. He studied at Leeds University in northern England. In 1976 he took second prize at ATV Asian Music Contest. The next year he signed on at the Rediffusion Television (now Asia Television) and his career started.
In 1983, Cheung released his first hit song, "The Wind Blows On" and the energetic "fast" tune "Monica" in 1984 won him huge popularity around Asia.
Cheung's acting talents were a highlight of contemporary Chinese cinema. He starred with Tony Leung in Wong Kar-wai's famous movies "Happy Together," "Ashes of Time" and "Day of Being Wild," which won him many film awards.
One of the most impressive characters Cheung took on was as Chen Dieyi, a Peking Opera singer in Chinese mainland director Chen Kaige's award-winning film, "Farewell My Concubine."
This landmark film not only won director Chen Kaige a joint Palme d'Or (with "The Piano") at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival and an Academy Award nomination, but also demonstrated Cheung's exquisite performance skills.
Cheung's latest wax figure in the role of Chen dressed in typical Peking Opera dress is also on display at Shanghai Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.
For more information about the exhibition, please log on www.madame-tussauds.com.cn.
Date: through September 16, 10 am – 8 pm
Address: 10/F, 2-68 Nanjing Rd W., Shanghai
Admission: 120 yuan
Tel: 021-6358 7878
(Shanghai Daily September 12, 2007)
