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4 THE REVIEW SIGHT & SOUND SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2006 SUNDAY MORNING POST Patrick Tse is the Peter Pan of Asian cinema. He tells Winnie Yeung why he’s not about to hang up those sunglasses anytime soon Acad for all seasons fun as anyone their own age,” he says. And WITH SUCCESS IN show business moving an illusion – do you think it’s an advantage his friendliness towards co-workers helps in ever diminishing cycles, Patrick Tse Yin to work with pretty actresses?” he says. too. “I’ve never achieved anything in my stands out like a dodo in a zoo. In a world He was married twice: first to actress career, but I think the one thing I earn – notorious for its intolerance of wrinkled Chen Chen, and then Deborah Li, with which is most valuable – is friendship,” he skin and receding hairlines, Tse – who whom he has two children. Nicholas Tse says. “This job helps me make good friends proudly and loudly declares himself a Ting-fung and younger daughter Jennifer from all walks of life – from the bright to the 70-year-old – remains a star to watch, al- Tse Ting-ting are now just as famous as dark side of society. So whenever I’m in most 52 years after he propelled himself their father, their every trial and tribula- trouble, someone will help.” into cinemas as a boyish casanova. tion caught on camera and plastered A friendly demeanour is far from the What makes Tse an anomaly of his across the tabloids. norm in showbiz these days, especially in generation is how he gets to reprise that The list might be long, but none of the view of the reported off-screen cat-fights image of yore today. Rather than settling relationships worked: (“They went on to on the set of Central Affairs which have for parts as sick, weak grandfathers, Tse – marry good husbands – maybe I brought been occupying the Chinese press for better known here as Sei Gor (Cantonese them good luck.”) Right now he’s seeing a months. Former Miss Chinese Interna- for “fourth brother”, on account of his woman from Shanghai, who, at 24, is as tional, Michelle Ye Xuan, has been paint- ranking among eight siblings) – has been old as his daughter. “I can still get a girl- ed as the culprit in this case following ru- cast in roles that he’s played for decades: friend that young, lei chui meh?” he says. mours of feuds with female co-stars and the playboy. It was epitomised in his star- Tse dresses impeccably every time he Ye allegedly stabbing herself in the lap to ring role in the ATV drama series Central steps out the door – a habit he’s adhered to get attention. Affairs last year, when he played a tycoon since becoming an actor. And sharp dress- Having a youthful outlook might also who sleeps with women young enough to ing means a fortune spent on clothes and be the reason his 24-year-old girlfriend be his daughters, if not granddaughters. accessories. “That’s why I have to keep as doesn’t mind the age difference. In fact, he One might not expect a septuagenar- fit physically as I was at least a decade ago, claims to be the one concerned by the gap. ian to pull it off, but a short walk with Tse or else my clothes won’t fit me,” he says. “If my daughter had a boyfriend in his 70s, along Queen’s Road Central provides a Although Tse keeps fit mentally and I would certainly say no,” he says. “I don’t testament to why it all clicks. The moment physically – and can bare his chect with care what others say about me, but I’m he saunters out of Café des Artistes, heads the best of the young actors – the signs of worried about my girlfriend getting pres- turn and eyes fix on the 180cm figure in a ageing will eventually show on his face. “I sure from her friends and family. So, no, I white, bespoke suit with a Gianfranco will admit this – I’ve asked a plastic sur- since I was young because it’s part of my sary because it was about my character haven’t met her family yet. Ferre handkerchief ostentatiously stuffed geon about surgery,” he says. “If one day I image,” he says. “OK, that time [in bed being miserable and ill,” he says. “Several years ago “But as long as we’re happy together in the pocket. A black shirt lies under- really need to do it, I would. I guess, in 10 with sunglasses] might have been a bit The noise the scene with sunglasses then it’s fine. She is really something – she neath, unbuttoned to the waist, revealing years’ time.” much – but didn’t you think it was cool? raised translated into soaring ratings, an I thought about is not the kind of young girl who tries to be a muscular abdomen that would prompt The audacious front he puts up makes I’m sure I’m the first.” ATV spokeswoman says. And maybe it is with stars or anything.” men half his age to suck in their beer bel- him a target for the more merciless show In fact, he doesn’t seem to mind show- this unusual attraction that prompted the killing myself … Living a carefree life (“I even like to play lies, while his long hair is slicked back in a business writers. He is lambasted for his ing the ravages of age around his eyes dur- channel to bring back Tse for the second more than Nicholas does,” he quips) and ponytail. And finally, there’s his trade- habit of wearing sunglasses – even in the ing the interview. He has also been filmed season of Central Affairs, which is now I thought if there having a young girlfriend, Tse says he now mark black sunglasses, which he famously sex scene in Central Affairs, in which he without the eyewear in a rare scene in screening on ATV Home. But his role this enjoys the lifestyle that he always wanted – wears everywhere, day or night. kept his shades on while cavorting in bed Central Affairs, in which his character – a time is not a rich man, but a decent taxi spending every cent that he makes on his True to style, Tse is unabashed about with his then 35-year-old onscreen part- tycoon obsessed with power, money and driver who falls for an old flame (one who is nothing going on own enjoyment. “I might be the first actor being the envy of younger men. “I can keep ner Pinky Cheung Man-chi. women – appears as a helpless wreck isn’t half his age this time). who’s lived in only one apartment, but my youth, my body and people still come to “I’ve worn sunglasses in public ever bound to his wheelchair. “That was neces- He says he can’t refuse work because and my life had seven cars,” he says. me with roles that are younger than my age he has to keep busy. “Several years ago I “I used to have a family, but now my – lei chui meh,” he says. The send-off line is thought about killing myself,” he says. “I becomes dull, kids have grown up and my wives have re- a slightly vulgar Cantonese phrase which wasn’t doing much acting and I was living married. I basically have no burden. So could be translated as, “So what can you do a comfortable life. And I thought if there is then I should why not spend money on stuff that I like about it?” – one of many cocky profanities nothing going on and my life becomes and invest in my wardrobe?” that pepper Tse’s banter. kind of dull, then I should just end it.” just end it” His free-spending ways have prompt- Since his first film, 1954’s Save Your He doesn’t mind taking smaller parts ed many to question his finances and he is Water Supply, Tse has been the pin-up in order to keep busy – he guest-starred in constantly denying allegations that Nich- boy of local film, wooing thousands of fans Stephen Chow Sing-chi’s Shaolin Soccer olas’ earnings for Emperor Entertainment with his handsome looks and (apparent) as the evil leader of a football team in 2001 Group are keeping him afloat. sophisticated manner – no matter if the and his role in Central Affairs is scene- He does admit taking a “total loss” in a role is an ex-convict or a rich radio host. stealing but hardly pivotal. garment manufacturing business many And his off-screen life is as colourful as “As long as it’s a role that I can have fun years ago. But he’s not shy to admit that he the hundreds of films in which he’s playing and it makes some noise, then I has no savings and supports himself with starred. He’s never been short of girl- don’t see why not,” he says. money he earns from investments in friends: the long list starts in the 1950s with He has the knack of leaping over friends’ businesses. working partner Patsy Kar Ling, who was generational gaps. At a recent shoot on lo- “I’m only worried about one thing – I the reigning queen of local film. The pair, cation in Tai Po, Tse was seen riding his pray that I won’t end up miserable in my who appeared in more than 30 films to- Harley-Davidson motorcycle with Cheung, last few years alive … holding a bowl to gether, embodied the hip, westernised and spent most of his time cracking jokes beg on the street.

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