Actress Lucy Liu has been honoured with the Réalta Award at the Belfast Film Festival, recognising her performance in the new film Rosemead.
The Charlie's Angels star said she was deeply moved to receive the award in a city she described as "magical", recalling her time filming Old Guy in Belfast two years ago.
"I was really touched to be honoured here," she told the PA news agency. "To actually live here for that month is different than just coming to visit. I felt very connected to the community, and everyone on the crew was very warm and full of joy."
Liu said she was struck by the history of Northern Ireland and the city’s transformation, noting that "there’s a story behind everything".
Her new film, Rosemead, based on a true story, follows Irene Chao, an immigrant widow with terminal cancer whose teenage son is struggling with mental health challenges. The film is set within the Chinese American community of Rosemead, California.
Liu said the story’s themes reach far beyond that community. "There’s still a lot of stigma around mental health in so many places around the world," she said.
She was shocked to learn that the real events behind the film took place as recently as 2015, describing the tragedy as "preventable".
"There was a lot of fear for this mother, and she loved her son so much," Liu said. "I really tried to come from a place of love and to understand how difficult it must have been for her to make that choice."
Liu said she hopes Rosemead prompts audiences to talk more openly about mental health. "I hope viewers don’t even see me in this role. I hope they just see this woman, and the love she has for her son," she said. "It’s a discussion point. I hope that’s what people take away from it."
The actress added that screenings of the film have encouraged people to share their own experiences.
"Everyone has a story of somebody they know who has struggled. It’s a reminder that you’re not alone," she said. "There are people who are suffering, and people who are caring for them - and sometimes that’s even harder."
Source: Press Association
