Gallen Harbour

Source: LA News, 08/06/2007

Translated by “Mouse” Carmen Yip

There were a lot of artistes attending the Hennessy VSOP’s Guangzhou Mid-year function on the night before yesterday. As compared to Huang Sheng Yi’s and Yang Zi’s affections and Sonija Kwok’s glamour, HK actor Gallen Lo’s low-profileness is more akin to a bartender who keeps himself out of the picture. Besides exchanging a word or two to Chapman To, most of the time he would prefer to stand beside the bar counter, admiring the conversations of those under the colourful laser lights.

Gallen Lo has gotten used to keeping a low profile. It seems like his news has been really rare since 2003. It’s no wonder that when our reporter requested for an interview with him, Gallen, who looks dashing in his black suit and striped-shirt, actually appeared to be taken aback for a moment and took a while to adjust his expression and the little handkerchief on his left chest then.

“I have not been filming for theses few days, so I gave myself a break.” The sound of the wind was clearly audible in Zhujiang’s night, but one could still discern a gentleman’s calmness. “In less than 18 days’ time, (I would) have to go back to prepare for the new serial “When Dogs Love Cats”. I’ll be acting opposite Myolie Wu; the script is quite good, (as) there are adequate chances for one to display his/her acting skills.”

Apparently, a veteran actor like Gallen Lo has long passed through the “period of accumulation”[1], he has admitted too, that he is pickier nowadays, “I have passed the phase of working very hard for money, but I still yearn for recognition. Therefore I would consider very carefully whether to accept each invitation to a new serial, and calculate how big a breakthrough the script is able to provide me.” Gallen Lo places the glass back to the counter gently, and took the wet towel to wipe his hands.

“Therefore, from the viewpoint of ‘probability’, I will allocate more of my time in the mainland.” To Gallen Lo, no matter whether it’s the genre or production (of a serial), the mainland market remains to be a helpful track (to his career). “I should say it’s like “A hundred flowers blooming together”, Gallen Lo held his chin and pondered for a while before coming up with a phrase to describe the situation. Two of his works, “Great Navigation” and “Smoke Signal”, are also showing on CCTV, “Especially “Great Navigation” which talks about Zheng He’s sailing, it can be said to be my most satisfied work till now.”

Image courtesy of CCTV - Gallen as Admiral Zheng He in “Great Navigation”

What about “At Threshold of an Era” then? In the eyes of majority, that should be his most memorable work, “I admit that it is a very good benchmark,” Gallen Lo raised his right hand and made an upward signal, “But if I keep staying around it, a benchmark can only remain a benchmark.” His left hand continued to draw under his right hand. “I’m not so old yet, so there’ll still be the next “At The Threshold of An Era”, and it’s highly probable that “Great Navigation” will make the mark.”

The topic finally returns to the sensitive title of “No. 1 Brother”, in TVB history, Gallen Lo was the first to be crowned with the title. In 17 years’ time, he clinched the “Best Actor” award thrice, “Would you still care for that?” The reporter questioned cautiously. Unexpectedly, Gallen claps his hand and laughs, “Why would I? I have placed all the awards attained from the ten odd years up to the attic. I have always been forward-looking. History? That is only used for evaluation.”

The tone in his voice has further accentuated the strength of the wind outside the window.

[1] The period when an artiste (normally a new one) will try to take on more jobs to earn exposure

Special thanks to my sister, Mouse, for the translation. I thought this article is a fresh and timely “breeze” amid all the confusion (he goes? he stays? ATV? Mainland?) and even disappointment (he drinks?) which have been brought along with the excitement of having “TVB’s No.1 brother” back to his dear home.

I hope you enjoy it!

::: Mimosa :::