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 described the experience as deeply moving, especially in a city she called "magical."

Connection to Belfast

Liu reflected on her time filming Old Guy in Belfast two years ago. She said,

"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."

She was impressed by Northern Ireland's history and Belfast's transformation, noting, "there’s a story behind everything."

About the Film Rosemead

Rosemead is based on true events and tells the story of Irene Chao, an immigrant widow with terminal cancer whose teenage son struggles with mental health challenges. The film is set in the Chinese American community of Rosemead, California.

Liu emphasized that the film’s themes have a global relevance, saying,

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

She was surprised that the real-life events occurred as recently as 2015 and called the tragedy depicted "preventable." Liu added,

"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."

Author's summary: Lucy Liu received the Réalta Award in Belfast, highlighting her heartfelt connection to the city and her powerful role in Rosemead, a film addressing mental health stigma through a true story.

RTE.ie — 2025-11-04