Let’s take a little detour in Hong Kong. That’s how my whole passion for Asia actually started. And thanks to the movies.

I am the type of person that can spend the whole day just watching movies. It is my way of creating a little cocoon that makes me forget my everyday life and makes me travel.

So, when I was in highschool, I was going everyday, during the summer, to the videoclub next to my apartment in Montpellier, and I was renting any movies that seemed interesting. And there, the clerk advised me to watch some HK and Chinese movies.

I have always been fascinated by Asia when I was younger, but never really acted on that attraction. So, being curious, I started renting the usual movies from HK that are popular in France among the geeks: Johnnie To, John Wo and Tsui Hark movies. And in order to get a short break from the action movies, I finally rented “Farewell my concubine” by Chen Kaige…and that’s when I saw him: Leslie Cheung.

Of course watching the other movies, I was attracted by all those gorgeous Asian actors, but Leslie Cheung was different. I couldn’t stop staring at his face. His assumed feminity in this movie, the line of his eyes and  his talent as an actor was fascinating me. 

 ”Farewell my concubine” is also a masterpiece and one of the best movies ever made in the history of cinema (it won an award at the Cannes festival in 1993). Its greatness not only comes from the actors and director talent, but also from the subject: how to live your art when your country is changing and going through all different regimes (japanese invasion, Mao’s republic and the cultural revolution). It is about those people who have nothing but their passion and talent and how the politics are getting in the way and in everyday’s life.

It is violent, sad, cruel. It talks about Love in the most noble way. And Leslie Cheung was at the height of his art. He is and will always be one of the greatest artist HK ever had. He is one who started the “canto pop”movement and worked with the best directors in HK and China. (he unfortunetely commit suicide in April 2003).

Deep in the south of France, this great singer and great actor  made me look at the East and made me love it.