Remembering the greatness of Leslie Cheung

It was in the news. It has now been 20 years since the much-lamented Leslie Cheung died. The charismatic actor and singer took his own life at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong on April 1, 2003. He was 47 years old.

In a note he left behind, Cheung admitted that he was suffering from deep depression, a situation that he found unexplainable. And in the end, he felt utterly hopeless. Why me? He asked. It was unfortunate that he was unable to feel the love and adulation that came from his fans.

Hong Kong still feels that way. Cheung is remembered this year with film showings, concerts, playlists and other activities celebrating his life that were put on schedule by various organizations. Visit Hong Kong this year and you will surely come across something that showcases Cheung’s legacy.

If you go this week, check out the Mandarin on Central and you might still come across the put-together memorial of cards, flowers, photographs and other items that fans left behind on the sidewalk. They are still in mourning.

This is no surprise to anybody who remembers that golden time of Chinese music and cinema In the ‘80s and ‘90s decades. Back then, the talented and flamboyant Cheung was one of the leading lights.

Long before K-pop came along, there was Cantopop, a blend of western influenced melodies with Chinese lyrics and sentiments. Cheung was responsible for many of the biggest sellers and he had the Platinum and Golden records to show for his efforts. These are aside from the many sold-out concerts.

Among these were albums like Beloved and Summer Romance, singles like Sleepless Nights Restless Heart, The Wind Blows On, Wild Wind, Past Love, Who Feels the Same and the trendsetting dance track Monica. The latter completed the pop spectrum at Cantopop which already had Chinese takes on pop, R&B, jazz and rock and roll dominating the charts all over Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.

The movies that Cheung starred in are even more memorable. To this day, the artistry, the technical expertise, the entertainment content and that distinct Chinese feel make these films such fascinating viewing experiences. I am sure that you will find it worth your while to check out these titles.

Days of Being Wild directed by Wong Kar-wai with the all-star-cast of Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung, Carissa Lau, Jacky Cheung and Tony Leung; Farewell My Concubine, directed by Chen Kaige and co-starring Gong Li; Happy Together with Tony Leung and directed by Wong Kar-wai; Once a Thief with Chow Yun Fat and directed by John Woo; Temptress Moon, again with the beautiful Gong Li and director Chen Kaige. There are also A Chinese Ghost Story, Midnight Express, A Better Tomorrow I and II, Moonlight Express, Rouge and many others.

Cheung was one of the first celebrities to come out as homosexual in Hong Kong, let alone the whole of China. It was a risky move in the conservative circle that he was a part of and gave rise to problems.

But Cheung remained undaunted and continued to use his popularity to create awareness for the social prejudice facing gays. His film roles, Happy Together, videos, Bewildered, concerts, the extravagant, gender-crossing Passion Tour were examples of how Cheung flouted convention to advance his advocacy.

It might be nice for some of you out there to take a break from K-pop and marvel at the greatness of Leslie Cheung. He was quite an artist, really quite a man. And he left behind movies and music to marvel at.

And alongside the Leslie Cheung binge, you might also give a listen to the other great idols of Cantopop. Try not to miss Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, Teresa Teng and Aaron Kwok.

(The National Center for Mental Health’s crisis hotlines can be reached at mobile numbers 0917-899-8727, 0908-639-2672, 0966-351-4518 or through landline number 7-989-8727 [7-989-USAP]).