Actor Tony Leung Given Top Award At Venice

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung was on Monday awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 80th Venice Film Festival.

Leung, 60, has appeared in numerous films including A City of Sadness in 1989, Cyclo in 1995 and Lust, Caution in 2007. All three films won the Golden Lion awards at the Venice Film Festival.

Leung also starred in movies including In the Mood for Love, Chungking Express, Infernal Affairs and recent Marvel title Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

In a statement, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kevin Yeung said he was excited that Leung had become the first Chinese actor to receive this prestigious award.

"As a household name in Hong Kong, Leung started his career in Hong Kong's television industry before advancing to the big screen. Leung's exquisite acting skills had earned him many awards and brought him onto the global stage with flying colours," he said.

"His endless pursuit of a higher level of artistic performance over the past few decades is an exemplar of Hong Kong actors' spirit and Hong Kong's cultural richness. We are so proud of him and would like to send him our heartfelt congratulations on this hard-earned and well-deserved title."

Yeung added that Hong Kong movies and filmmakers have gained recognition among their counterparts worldwide by winning a number of international awards in recent years.

He said the government and the Hong Kong Film Development Council will continue to provide support on various fronts and push for sustainable development of the industry.

Italian director Liliana Cavani has also been given the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice festival.