| From 30 October to 9 November 2003, ACMI in Melbourne will pay tribute to Leslie Cheung with Rouge and more - many for only a single screening, and possibly your only chance to see them screened in Australia. As part of the program, a special commemorative book is being published, with articles by Philippa Hawker, Clare Stewart and Audrey Yue, as well as tributes from Tsui Hark, Chen Kaige, Adrian Martin, Mike Walsh and others. It will be on sale at ACMI during the season.
With thanks to ACMI, we had a season pass to give away to Days of Being Wild, as well as a copy of the commemorative book.
We asked readers to write their own short tribute to Leslie Cheung - entries came in from all over the world, and they are published here on the site. We originally intended to select the best as the winner, but in fact, they are all so heartfelt, it was heartbreaking to make a decision. So, by random draw, the book was won by Grace Lam from Hong Kong, and the season pass was won by Candy Yuen in Melbourne. Thanks to everyone who contributed their thoughts on what Leslie Cheung meant to you all.
Mark Morrison,
Melbourne, Australia
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I find it difficult to express in words the loss that is felt now that we will no longer be able to experience the beauty of Leslie's art. His acting and singing, even the way he lived his short life, is nothing short of inspiring.
For me personally, the loss has been felt very deeply. Leslie was the person who single-handedly inspired me to change careers and, for that matter, my life. After seeing his stunning performance in Farewell, My Concubine, I decided to go back to university and study film. I am now studying film at a postgraduate level and my doctoral thesis will be on the films of Wong Kar-wai (it always seems to come back to Leslie's films). Of course, you can't become obsessed about Hong Kong films without some of that passion spilling over into an all-round enthusiasm for Asian culture. So, in this regard, also, I feel I owe Leslie an enormous debt of gratitude.
Years ago, when Mark asked us to rate our all-time favourite Hong Kong films, I was compelled to place Farewell at the top of my list - for sentimental as well as artistic reasons. I have seen hundreds, if not thousands, of films in my lifetime and yet if Mark asked us again today to rate our all-time favourite film, my answer would remain the same.
Like the rest of you, I will miss Leslie every day for the rest of my life. He shared his incredible talent with us, if only briefly, and I feel extremely lucky to have been a witness to his wonderful legacy.
Thank you, Leslie. You will never be forgotten.
Joyleen,
Wyong NSW, Australia
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