Lucy Liu honoured with Réalta Award in Belfast

Lucy Liu Honoured with Réalta Award in Belfast

Actress Lucy Liu received the Réalta Award at the Belfast Film Festival for her outstanding performance in the film Rosemead. The star of Charlie’s Angels expressed her deep appreciation for being recognised in Belfast, a city she described as "magical." She reflected on her experience filming Old Guy in Belfast two years earlier.

“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 moved by Northern Ireland’s history and the city’s remarkable transformation, noting that “there’s a story behind everything.”

About the Film Rosemead

Rosemead is based on a true story and follows Irene Chao, an immigrant widow battling terminal cancer, while her teenage son struggles with mental health issues within the Chinese American community in Rosemead, California. Liu emphasized that the themes of the film resonate beyond this community.

“There’s still a lot of stigma around mental health in so many places around the world.”

She was shocked to discover that the real-life events happened as recently as 2015 and described the tragedy as “preventable.” Liu highlighted the difficult emotions involved for the mother, aiming to approach her role with love and understanding.

“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 award reflects both her powerful portrayal in Rosemead and her heartfelt connection to Belfast, underscoring important themes of mental health and compassion.

RTE.ie — 2025-11-04