Hong Kong’s acclaimed actor, Tony Leung, is set to grace the screen once again, this time as the lead in “Silent Friend,” a forthcoming movie helmed by Oscar-nominated director Ildiko Enyedi. Leung, renowned for his roles in cinematic gems like “In the Mood for Love” and “Lust, Caution,” is poised to take the spotlight in the third segment of the film.
Having marked his Hollywood debut in Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and recently garnered attention for reuniting with fellow “Infernal Affairs” star Andy Lau in “The Goldfinger,” Leung’s star power continues to shine brightly. The actor even made a captivating cameo appearance in the music video for NewJeans’ track ‘Cool With You.’
The upcoming project serves as a follow-up to Enyedi’s “The Story of My Life,” which graced screens in 2021 and competed at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival. “Silent Friend” will weave a narrative tapestry that spans more than a century, seemingly bound by the presence of a tree. Unfolding in the medieval German university town of Marburg, Leung is set to portray a distinguished neuroscientist hailing from Hong Kong. Enyedi disclosed to Variety that she crafted the role with Leung in mind, and the actor reciprocated his admiration for the director.
Producer Reinhart Brundig conveyed their longstanding admiration for Tony Leung’s illustrious career, expressing elation that Leung has committed to the project. Currently in pre-production, “Silent Friend” is scheduled to commence filming in April 2024.
Adding to his accolades, Leung is slated to receive the Golden Life for Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Venice Film Festival. This prestigious honor is a testament to his exceptional contributions to cinema. Notably, three of his movies—”A City of Sadness,” “Cyclo,” and “Lust, Caution”—have already clinched the esteemed Golden Lion Award.
Ildiko Enyedi, the accomplished Hungarian director, has left an indelible mark on the film landscape. Her work on “On Body and Soul” earned an Oscar nomination for Best International Film in 2018 and clinched the coveted Golden Bear award at the 2017 Berlin International Film Festival.
