He knows characters

Some five years in the making, “2046” is one of the year’s most highly anticipated films in cineaste circles. Hong Kong filmmaker and art house hero Wong Kar-Wai has revived the lead character from his previous film, “In the Mood for Love,” to continue the romantic misadventures of aspiring writer Chow Mo-Wan, played with dash and daring by Tony Leung.

One of Asia’s biggest stars, Leung began his career when, tired of his job as an appliance salesman, he auditioned for a television acting school with his friend Stephen Chow (who has also gone on to great acclaim as the director and star of such films as “Kung Fu Hustle”). Leung has subsequently appeared in such diverse films as “Hard Boiled,” “Flowers of Shanghai” and “Infernal Affairs.”

“2046” is his sixth film with Wong Kar-Wai, and it earned him a Hong Kong Film Award for best actor.

Your character, Mr. Chow, is to some among the great modern romantic heroes in “In the Mood for Love.” How did you feel when Wong Kar-Wai told you he wanted not only to bring back the character but also to turn him into something of a cad?

It’s always difficult for an actor to revisit his character again. When he told me he wants me to portray the same character from “In the Mood for Love” again but differently, I said, “OK, what do you want?” He said a dark, mean, Bukowski kind of man this time, a playboy, a cynical guy. I asked, “Same costume, same hairstyle?” He said, “Yes, everything the same.” I asked for a mustache. We argued the first day. He felt it would have a greater impact on the audience if everything was the same but the character acted very differently. I said I couldn’t do it without the mustache. He compromised.

His working methods have become legendary -- no prepared script, lengthy shoots -- but all that would seem maddening to an actor. How have you adjusted to making movies in his style?

I feel more relaxed working with Kar-Wai. You don’t have to take care of everything, because you have no idea what’s going on. All you need to do is just focus on your character and that’s it. The story flows from the characters. You only have the script for that day, and nothing else -- you have no idea what the story will be. You can’t figure it out. Even after the last day of shooting, you still have no idea, because we have a lot of footage, enough for five movies. I don’t mind working like this, but for some they are very frustrated, even actors who are experienced and have worked with Kar-Wai before. Like Maggie [Cheung], she just can’t get used to it. It leaves her feeling helpless and insecure. I used to be the first to give up, to say to him, “I’m exhausted. I don’t know what you want from me.” But I got used to it.

How does he respond when you ask for help?

He ignores me.

There is such a mystique about him, never taking off his sunglasses, always working in this unusual manner. Has your relationship with him changed over the years?

When we first met, we spent a few days together. I talked a lot. I told him about myself, a lot of personal things. I felt he should really know me if he wants to work with me. At last he said, “I’m not going to tell you anything about me.” That was my first impression of him.

What I know about him, he is a very optimistic person. I think he is very romantic, but not melancholy. He is very mysterious, at least for me. He never discusses anything about his personal life. I’ve known him for 15 years, and I don’t feel I know him very well. We are very good working partners, but I don’t know him. I am very much like the characters in his movies -- it’s kind of a hybrid of him and me. I’m not quite sure who he is, but I can tell from his movies that he is not as sad as I am. I am in some ways sad and melancholy, I have these qualities in me. I think he is the only director who brings that out of me and allows me to explore things about myself that I am not entirely aware of. He brings it out.

Now for the inevitable question about coming to Hollywood -- I understand you’ve turned down numerous offers to be in American films.

What roles I could do are very restricted in Hollywood. I always think that in Hollywood they have all the great actors and actresses from all over the world. Why would they make a specific role for me? It’s really hard to find the right material and the right people. I’d love to do it, at least once. I grew up with Hollywood movies. As an Asian actor, it would be a very memorable experience. But I’m not that aggressive or that desperate. If it happens, it happens. Movies are borderless.

-- Mark Olsen