【Commentary】Leslie Cheung—the icon whose legacy lives on
“Leslie’s refusal to bow to censorship pressures—almost two decades ago—stands out as a brave act of defiance in a time when it was extremely difficult to speak out.”
For Hongkongers, Leslie Cheung needs no introduction. 哥哥 (his nickname, ‘big brother’) was a Canto-pop legend, film star, and international cultural icon. Leslie’s legacy continues to shine on within our community almost two decades after his passing. His image was that of a handsome bad-boy; the combination of his iconic music and charisma easily earned him recognition as both a cutting-edge trendsetter and idol to teenagers in the ’80s.
Leslie was known for upholding an authenticity that celebrities with his level of fame often lack. He rose through the ranks through diligence and dedication to his craft.
“Hongkongers never take shortcuts, never accomplish[ing] things through the back door.” - Calif Chong, filmmaker
Concert outfits he wore were renowned for their individualistic flair and daring distinction, whereas in photoshoots he preferred to put forward his bare face rather than use makeup. His ducktail hairstyle in the film Days of Being Wild influenced a generation of young men who aspired to his charm.
The young and old of Hong Kong all knew Leslie’s songs by heart—songs such as 愛慕 (Admiration) and 緣份 (literally ‘fate’, the titular song from the movie Behind the Yellow Line). Teens would rush to buy his albums the moment they were released, fighting to be the first to play his songs on boomboxes for their whole neighbourhood to hear. When karaoke venues began to open in the ’80s, Leslie’s songs Monica, 當年情 (Past Love, a song about brotherhood from the movie A Better Tomorrow) and 風繼續吹 (Wind Blows On) were staples chanted through the night.
“Music can be easily passed down for generations.” - Arche, store manager and choir member.
Nowadays, popular streaming platforms like Spotify compile his music for international listeners. Today’s youths have increased access to songs that are an integral part of Hong Kong’s history, including Leslie Cheung’s—songs that they heard their parents humming around the house as a child, or blasted through a car radio.
In fact, Leslie’s popularity transcends the Hong Kong community. He held countless performances overseas, in places such as Japan and South Korea. These are countries where his work is still celebrated to this day, attracting masses of fans of all ages to dedicatory events and venues. Many active social media pages and video channels continue to discuss Leslie’s artistry, and there are even cafés and bars that have recently opened in honour of his work. Fans from overseas continue to visit Hong Kong for Leslie, joining locals in paying their respects each year on the anniversary of his death.
"Even though there is not much we can do in the real world, each of us can blossom in the parallel universe of films and imagine a future of ours." - Calif Chong, filmmaker.
Without a doubt, Leslie Cheung has also inspired generations of LGBTQ+ Hongkongers. Homosexual relations in Hong Kong were only decriminalised in 1991. Despite intense criticism from the media, Leslie was one of the first openly bisexual artists of our city. Some of his most famous on-screen characters were LGBTQ+, including the flighty 何寶榮 (Ho Po-Wing) in 春光乍洩 (Happy Together) and the Chinese opera performer 程蝶衣 (Cheng Dieyi) in 霸王別姬 (Farewell My Concubine).
“[There is a need] to make space for people to live out their true selves.” - Skittles, Christian Hongkonger.
“Living up to your conscience is the most important thing. Speak out without any reservation.” - Angus the Beef, Retroll Hip Hop.
However, in contemporary Hong Kong society, LGBTQ+ issues are still to this day treated as taboo in mainstream culture. Leslie’s refusal to bow to censorship pressures—almost two decades ago—stands out as a brave act of defiance in a time when it was extremely difficult to speak out.
There are many lessons we can learn from Leslie’s example. Be it in courage, rigour, or resilience, or in his barefaced approach to the stigmatised Hong Kong music scene, we can all take a page from Leslie’s book.
“What Hong Kongers need the most right now is to ‘make a turn’ in unity.” - Sunny Chan, screenwriter.
Leslie Cheung was an artist who embodied movement, and to this day he is remembered for the way he seemed to lead trends before they even appeared. Art is a great tool, and the force of its strike can result in a resonant change in our society. His legacy will unquestionably continue to live on in the hearts of Hongkongers and overseas fans alike.
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This article was featured on Apply Daily English Version. See the article @ https://hk.appledaily.com/feature/20201219/GQIEVRQW4FBH5GRTB32CM4EDVQ/