Art & Lifestyle

Looking Back At Leslie Cheung’s 5 Most Iconic Films

In memory of the legendary Hong Kong actor

by Kaitlyn Lai

1 Apr 2023

Farewell My Concubine (1993)

Farewell My Concubine is an exploration of love, sacrifice and the role of art in society. In the film, he plays a Peking Opera performer struggling with his sexual identity and his relationship with his fellow performer, played by Chinese actress Gong Li. Cheung’s portrayal earned him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993. At a time when homosexuality was still highly stigmatized in Hong Kong and throughout much of Asia, Cheung’s performance made a powerful statement to the world on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, especially since the actor came out as bisexual to the public in 1992.

Days of Being Wild (1990)

Directed by renowned Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, this film follows a group of young people in Hong Kong in the 1960s. Cheung plays a restless, suave womanizer who discovers a shocking secret about his past, a role that showcased his talent for playing complex, flawed characters with depth and nuance.

Happy Together (1997)

Regarded as one of the most prominent films in the New Queer Cinema movement of the 1990s, Happy Together stars Leung and Leslie Cheung as a pair of Hong Kong lovers in a tumultuous relationship who become stranded in Argentina together after a wayward trip across the globe. For his highly lauded performance in the film, Leung received the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor, while Wong won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.

Rouge (1987)

In this supernatural romance, Cheung plays a tax collector who falls in love with a ghost who haunts a brothel. The film explores themes of love, redemption, and the passage of time. Cheung’s performance is heartwarming and poignant, marking another standout role in his career.

A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)

This fantasy horror film is based on a famous Chinese legend. Cheung plays a tax collector who falls in love with a beautiful ghost, and the two must fight against supernatural forces to be together. This film showcases Cheung’s charm and charisma, as well as his ability to handle action and comedy.

Follow us