Profiles

Maggie Cheung more selective in choosing movie

(AP)
Updated: 2006-10-02 14:49

Maggie Cheung, one of Hong Kong's best-known actresses, says she's more selective about movie projects because she wants to avoid films that only capitalize on her star power, a magazine reports.

Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung attends the premiere of her film "Clean" in Hong Kong November 29, 2004. Cheung was awarded the Best Actress title for her role in the film "Clean" by French director Olivier Assayas at the 57th Cannes Film Festival in 2004. [Reuters]

"The problem is I want good quality. I've tried not to play the same characters because I want to try new motions and new challenges," Cheung was quoted as saying in the current issue of Hong Kong City Magazine.

"If someone approaches me about a movie because of my fame and market value, or in other words, my glamor as a movie star, I'll resist and worry that I won't be able to make a good movie," Cheung reportedly said.

She said "Clean," for which she won best actress at the Cannes Film Festival, is a recent example of a good movie she took on. Cheung plays a rock star junkie who tackles parenthood.

"I wasn't worried about my ugly look. I often asked the makeup artists to darken the bags in my eyes, the blacker the better, because I have faith in the movie's quality. Whereas I'm scared if the movie only uses my glamor," she reportedly said.

The film was directed by Cheung's ex-husband, Frenchman Olivier Assayas.

"If you ask me to make a movie like 'Pretty Woman' now, I'll feel awkward," Cheung added, referring to the Hollywood film starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, about a prostitute who has a complete makeover after becoming romantically involved with a wealthy businessman.

Other than "Clean," released in 2004, Cheung also appeared in art-house director Wong Kar-wai's "2046," also released in the same year.

Other films in recent years include Wong's "In the Mood for Love" (2000) and famed Chinese director Zhang Yimou's "Hero" (2002).