Leung plays it straight
Actor and DJ Sammy Leung Chi-kin, known for his wisecracks and exaggerated expressions, has toned things down for his new film, Breeze of July.
The Stanley Tam Kwok-ming-directed romance about a woman - Lan Xian, played by Monie Tung Man-lee - who returns to her hometown to escape debts. There she meets her childhood best friend, Da Tou (played by Leung) and her life changes.
Leung (above) says the role is different from his usual ones. 'I have played a lot of hilarious characters, but this one is more realistic.'
Playing an 'ordinary' role proved difficult. 'When a role lands on me, I usually try hard to think about a way to make my lines and my character stand out with exaggerations.
'And acting as Da Tou, I felt as if I was paid but not having done my job. I have to adjust my mind not to overdo a smile, an expression or the way I read my lines ... I had to keep reminding myself to tone it down. It feels weird, but I'm happy that audiences will get to see a different side of me.'
He described himself as a 'thinker'. 'I think a lot and a lot of times I'm too serious about things,' he says.
So, the funny Leung we see isn't real? 'I wouldn't say that. Everyone has 10 fingers with them, some shorter, some longer. If you stick out your middle finger, people feel offended. To be honest, it's very difficult to establish a career in the entertainment business if you are too serious.
'But the amusing side of me is like my thumb, maybe it's shorter but it's the one that audiences want to see. It's not all of me, but it's still me and the media exaggerates that side of me,' the 33-year-old says.
Leung says he had never thought of becoming an actor until he took a summer job as a disc jockey at Commercial Radio in 1994. At the time, he was still a journalism student at Chinese University.
'During one of my early radio shows, someone phoned in to say that he liked my show and I realised that I could give people two hours of happiness and that became my mission - to make people happy.' Now he's not only a successful DJ, but an actor, stage performer, musician and a TV host. 'I don't see it as a lifelong career, but I want to make it a profession and people like doctors don't quit their profession easily, right?'
Leung landed himself in hot water last year when he and Kitty Yuen Siu-yee were accused of encouraging the sexual harassment of women by setting up a poll of 'the most popular singer/actress for indecent assault' during one of their radio shows. It was also reported that he was told to resign from his teaching job as a guest lecturer in Radio Production at Chinese University as a consequence. Leung later apologised publicly.
'If I say or do anything wrong, I admit to it,' he says.
Breeze of July, tonight, 7.50pm, Broadway Cinematheque, Yau Ma Tei. Inquiries: 2388 0002
