KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 \u2014 Hong Kong star Maggie Cheung Ho-yee has built a decades-long career, with her enduring star power showing no signs of fading.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From her early television appearances in The Condor Heroes \u201895 (1995)\u00a0to Beauty Knows No Pain (2010) and Forensic Heroes III (2011), as well as films such as 1989\u2019s A Better Tomorrow III and Where the Wind Blows (2022), Cheung has come a long way since just being a member of the four-piece group PP Gals in 1991.<\/p>\n
As the ninth Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) got underway, Cheung was among the international guests invited, marking her first time being part of the festival.<\/p>\n
Speaking about MIFFest\u2019s milestone, she said it was\u00a0more than just an awards event, describing it as a professional platform that connects members of the global film industry and bridges East and West.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor seven days, experienced filmmakers and industry professionals come together at this festival to build connections, expand their networks and create opportunities for collaboration,\u201d she told Malay Mail in an interview yesterday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a seven-day festival is quite rare for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never seen one like this in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere, you can meet experts, talented screenwriters and people from every part of the filmmaking process all in one place.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also highlighted the importance of networking in raising filmmaking standards, saying MIFFest helps create stronger collaborations and greater opportunities across the region.<\/p>\n
A familiar face in Malaysia<\/strong><\/p>\n Although this marks her first appearance at MIFFest, Malaysia is far from unfamiliar territory for Cheung.<\/p>\n The actress has visited the country several times for work, including filming The Trading Floor (2018) and promoting the feature film Rob N Roll back in 2024.<\/p>\n Each visit, she said, has given her a deeper appreciation of Malaysia\u2019s potential as a filming destination.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat excites me most about Malaysia is its environment.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something very fresh for Hong Kong filmmakers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cHong Kong is a very small and restricted place, but Malaysia offers a wide variety of locations that feel new and refreshing for audiences to see.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the country\u2019s landscapes, Cheung praised the professionalism and cooperation she experienced while working with Malaysian production crews.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are very easy to work with, and we\u2019ve always had good cooperation whenever I come to Malaysia for filming,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The actress also expressed her gratitude towards Malaysian fans, whom she described as some of the warmest supporters she has encountered throughout her career.<\/p>\n \u201cSince my early days at TVB, when I starred in many television dramas, I\u2019ve had a very large fanbase in Malaysia.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have always been very supportive and kind to me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The changing cinema landscape<\/strong><\/p>\n Reflecting on the evolution of Hong Kong cinema, Cheung believes the challenges facing the industry are part of a broader global transformation rather than something unique to Hong Kong.<\/p>\n With audiences becoming more selective, she said quality has become the most important factor in bringing people back to cinemas.<\/p>\n \u201cI still think that if there are good movies, people will still buy tickets to go to the cinema,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if you\u2019re making a film today, the standard has to be excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n Cheung also pointed out that television productions have undergone significant improvements, with more investment being directed towards visuals, storytelling and casting.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of money is being put into television productions today.<\/p>\n \u201cThe visuals, the stories and the cast are all very good, so TV isn\u2019t bad today.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if you want people to buy a ticket and go to the cinema, the standard is much higher now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Still searching for new challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n At 57, Cheung shows no signs of slowing down.<\/p>\n Rather than focusing solely on past achievements, she remains eager to explore new characters and genres in film and television projects.<\/p>\n \u201cI always tell myself not to repeat the same type of character,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She named portraying a lawyer on screen as one such role, though not necessarily one portrayed traditionally.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to play a lawyer, but not a serious lawyer.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d prefer one with comedic elements.\u201d<\/p>\n She also revealed that her perspective on directing has changed over time.<\/p>\n Previously, Cheung had been hesitant about stepping behind the camera because of the responsibilities involved.<\/p>\n However, seeing fellow actress Shu Qi make her directorial debut with the 2025 movie Girl\u00a0encouraged her to reconsider the possibility.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter seeing Shu Qi, I\u2019m thinking maybe I should give it a second thought,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s a good story that I really like, then why not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLife is still long for me.<\/p>\n \u201cI should open myself up to different kinds of experiences,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 \u2014 Hong Kong star Maggie Cheung Ho-yee has built a decades-long career, with 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