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 role in the film Rosemead. The Charlie's Angels star expressed deep emotion upon receiving the honour in a city she described as "magical," reflecting on her experience filming Old Guy in Belfast two years earlier.

"I was really touched to be honoured here," Liu 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 was impressed by Northern Ireland’s history and the city’s remarkable transformation, noting that "there’s a story behind everything."

The Film Rosemead

Rosemead, based on a true story, centers on Irene Chao, an immigrant widow with terminal cancer, whose teenage son is facing mental health issues. The film is set in the Chinese American community of Rosemead, California.

"There’s still a lot of stigma around mental health in so many places around the world," Liu said.

She was surprised to discover that the real events took place as recently as 2015, calling the tragedy "preventable." Liu reflected on the mother's love and fear during her difficult decision.

"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."

Summary

Lucy Liu’s award at the Belfast Film Festival highlights her powerful portrayal in Rosemead, a film addressing mental health stigma through a deeply human story of love and loss.

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RTE.ie — 2025-11-04