Maggie Cheung
Maggie Cheung Man-yuk (張曼玉)
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Maggie Cheung Man-yuk (張曼玉), born on September 20, 1964, is a distinguished actress from Hong Kong. Having spent her formative years in England and Hong Kong, Cheung embarked on her acting career in 1983. Over the years, she has amassed a portfolio of over 70 films. While Cheung has seen considerable success in the action genre, she has expressed in interviews that her most meaningful works include Song of Exile, Centre Stage, Comrades: Almost a Love Story, and In the Mood for Love.
Acclaimed Performances
Cannes Film Festival Recognition
In her role as Emily Wang in Clean, Cheung achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Asian actress to win an award at the Cannes Film Festival. This role is often regarded as her last major starring role.
International Recognition
Cheung’s work has garnered increasing recognition outside Asia, especially through films like Irma Vep, Centre Stage, Chinese Box, In the Mood for Love, Hero, 2046, and Clean. These films have significantly contributed to her international acclaim.
Jury Member and Festival Honors
Pioneering Achievements
Cheung has served as a jury member at several prestigious film festivals, including the Berlin Film Festival (1997), Venice Film Festival (1999), Hawaii International Film Festival (2004), Cannes Film Festival (2007), and Marrakech Film Festival (2010). Notably, she was honored at the 59th Cannes Film Festival (2006), where, for the first time in its history, a photographic image of a real actress – Cheung herself – was used on its official poster.
Recognition by The New York Times
22 Great Performers of 2006
On February 7, 2007, The New York Times included Maggie Cheung in its list of the 22 Great Performers of 2006. This recognition was specifically for her Cannes-winning role as Emily in Clean.
Career Transition
Shift to Music and Philanthropy
After a prolific 25-year acting career, Cheung decided to retire from acting to pursue film composition. She expressed a desire to explore her potential in music and painting. Her last appearance in film was as Mazu, the Chinese goddess of the sea, in the film/video installation Ten Thousand Waves by British filmmaker Isaac Julien.
Philanthropic Endeavors and Honorary Recognition
UNICEF Ambassador and Honorary Doctorate
Since her Cannes triumph in 2004, Cheung has shifted her focus to philanthropy, music, and editing. In April 2010, she was appointed as UNICEF’s Ambassador to China. Further adding to her accolades, in July 2011, the University of Edinburgh awarded her a doctor honoris causa, recognizing her contributions to the arts and her philanthropic efforts.
Maggie Cheung Filmography