Lucy Liu Honoured with Réalta Award in Belfast
Actress Lucy Liu received the Réalta Award at the Belfast Film Festival, recognising her performance in the film Rosemead. The Charlie's Angels star expressed deep emotion at receiving the honour in a city she described as "magical," reflecting on her experience filming Old Guy in Belfast two years prior.
"I was really touched to be honoured here. 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 was also moved by Northern Ireland’s history and Belfast’s remarkable transformation, noting that "there’s a story behind everything."
About the Film Rosemead
Rosemead is based on a true story, featuring Irene Chao, an immigrant widow battling terminal cancer, whose teenage son struggles with mental health issues. The film is set within the Chinese American community in Rosemead, California.
Liu highlighted the broader relevance of the film’s themes:
"There’s still a lot of stigma around mental health in so many places around the world."
She was shocked the real events behind the film occurred as recently as 2015 and described the tragedy as "preventable."
"There was a lot of fear for this mother, and she loved her son so much. 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."
Summary
Lucy Liu’s heartfelt tribute to Belfast and her powerful role in Rosemead emphasize community connection and the urgent need to address mental health stigma globally.