Cecilia Cheung confirms return
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Once considered the best Hong Kong actress of her generation, Cecilia Cheung has confirmed her return to the acting arena after suspending her career for four years due to marriage, childbirth and a damaging "sex photo" scandal. Performing the theme song for summer film CJ7: The Cartoon and announcing a future role in Hong Kong director Yee Tung-shing's new project, the 30-year-old actress is set to take the industry on in full stride, with a lighter look at life.
Talking about her future plans Tuesday at the premiere of CJ7: The Cartoon, the once ambitious and rebellious young woman had a mature air about her when she told the Global Times that there is hardly anything more that she could ask for now. "I do not think that much about my career future and detailed plans. I will go naturally with anything that my destiny arranges to happen."
During the premiere ceremony, Cheung rummaged in her bag to find a photograph taken 12 years ago of her and Stephen Chow, the film's producer. Renowned Hong Kong comedian and director, Chow discovered Cheung and cast her in his 1999 blockbuster King of Comedy.
"I have always carried this picture with me," Cheung explained. "Whenever I feel unhappy or under pressure, I look at this picture and think of the innocent and pure 18-year-old girl shooting King of Comedy. Then I remind myself to keep that feeling in mind."
Cheung thanked Chow for having introduced her to the film industry and for giving her her first big break, "It is my responsibility and pleasure to pay him back by assisting in the first cartoon film he produces," she said, adding that with Chow's ambition to develop China's cartoon animation industry, she hopes she can also make a contribution.
Staying at home for the past four years to look after her and actor Nicholas Tse's two sons, Lucas, now 4 and Quintus, now almost 2-months old, Cheung said she is taking it slow with each step of her return to the showbiz scene. "I am not in a hurry to achieve certain goals, now that I believe many things are arranged by destiny."
She explained that making her debut film with Chow and her return falling at the same time as Chow's first cartoon animation work, was in the cards. "The timing is perfect. There is no need for us to plan or expect as destiny has arranged everything well. We cannot control but follow and eventually we can reach our destined goals."
When asked why she chose to collaborate with Yee Tung-shing on her first-return film, Cheung answered that one reason is Yee's Lost in Time (2003) saw her win her first best actress award.
She also admitted that after her four-year absence from acting, she needed to work with someone that she felt safe and comfortable around.
According to Cheung, the project that they will both be working on together will not be the earlier-rumored costume action film Death Duel, but possibly a love-themed feature, while she insisted that she is not too picky about her return work.
"When I was younger I only cared about myself, but now I am 30, I do not want that many things or think that much. I am fine with whatever comes."
With a family and a promising career restart, Cheung said that she will leave everything to be decided by fate and only wants happiness instead of fame and achievement in her current life.
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