_{A lot is riding on the back of Hero, the much anticipated epic that boasts a star-studded line-up and breathtaking cinematography. Chinese national pride for one. And oh, that US$30 million investment (for US distribution rights) by Miramax Studios.}

8 Days, Jan 2003, No. 640

Diana Ong, direct from Beijing

8 Days: What is your opinion of Hero?

Tony Leung: I think Zhang Yimou is trying to walk a fine line between an artistic endeavour and commercial viability. As for whether it would win an Oscar or not, I don't know. We don't talk about such things.

You were on the road so much you probably know every nook and cranny of China by now.

It was tiring. Getting to Jiuzhaigou alone took a four-hour bus ride, so you can imagine the travelling we had to do. Luckily, I had Maggie Cheung as a companion. We rode bicycles together in Hengdian and played badminton and ping pong in Dunhuang. We didn't know anyone else so we depended solely on each other.

Thirty million bucks went into this movie.

The amenities were much better because it was a big budget movie. Every major star had two trailers. I've never had such luxurious treatment! When I was filming Wong Kar Wai's Ashes of Time, we stayed in wooden huts. I even had to go down on my knees to scrub the floors with detergent. I had to buy the detergent myself. Who cared about you then? Nobody!

In the movie, you choose principles over love.

I'm not that noble. I would choose love anytime in real life.

Do you consider Hero a milestone in your career?

I'm not career-minded. I don't have a sense of mission to achieve anything or make certain movies. I just want to make movies with people who love movies. But I'm tired. In fact, I'm thinking about quitting movies for a while.

Who's the slave driver? Who's the sly master? Maggie Cheung pits famed directors Zhang Yimou and Wong Kar-Wai against each other.

8 Days: How long did you train for this movie?

Maggie Cheung: I was supposed to train for several months but I was so busy that I ended up training for only three days before filming started. The action sequences were very physically demanding, and we had to film at an altitude of 3000 ft in the desert. The sandstorms were so big I couldn't keep my eyes open. They were so big they blew away the lines in my mind!

Once again, you've paired with Tony Leung.

We've acted as lovers only once before (In the Mood for Love). But we're very comfortable with each other. In the beginning, I didn't really know anybody else on this set. I told Tony," If you're not doing it, I'm not doing it."

Has Tony changed over the years?

When I first met him, we were very young. But he already knew then what movies are about. I didn't. I wasn't interested. So at that time I wasn't his match at all. He totally disregarded me. After In the Mood for Love, he could tell I improved. Now we're finally on par.

You say that working with Zhang Yimou has always been your dream.

I've made a few suggestions to him during filming. And only after I've watched the final cut that I realised that he took my suggestions to heart (wry smile). He's very smart. He has a fixed vision in his mind, but he won't argue with me outright. He knows better than to upset the lead actress.

Who's your favourite director?

Still Wong Kar Wai. Am I boring?

We wouldn't put it this way.

He can bring out the emotions in me. He understands me best. Zhang Yimou doesn't dare to tax me too much but Wong Kar Wai always pushes me to the limit. Zhang Yimou requires about three takes for one scene. With Wong Kar Wai, you've only just started filming after the 40th take. He wants you to fully get into the character so that at the 41st take, you're not 'acting' anymore.

What kind of roles are you looking for next?

Something lighthearted. I'm tired of crying. People think that since Maggie Cheunng can cry so well, let her cry more!

Tabloid rags accuse you of worrying about being overshadowed by Zhang Ziyi in the movie.

Zhang Ziyi is still a little girl. She looks like one, she acts like one. We talked, we had a good time. I think she's a sweet girl. But at the same time, it would be unfair to say we're good friends. I've only spent 10 days with her. And I'm not the kind of person who says "Oh I love everybody!" or "I'm your best friend because we've made a movie together!" That's just fake.

>> Next - Interview with Jet Li and Zhang Ziyi >>

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