Silence actor allegedly attacks Taiwan immigration official

[GiveItAway]

Silence actor allegedly attacks Taiwan immigration official

CNA and Staff Reporter
2015-03-23

Daisuke Ryu at the Aviation Police Bureau in Taoyuan, March 22. (Photo/CNA)

Japanese-Korean actor Daisuke Ryu, who had come to Taiwan to play a part in Martin Scorsese's historical drama Silence, allegedly attacked an immigration official at the airport on Saturday.

Taiwan's Ministry of Culture issued a statement on Sunday, saying members of the film crew have expressed deep regret over the incident and apologized to the official involved.

They promised to visit the official, pay medical costs and assist with compensation, according to the ministry.

Local media reported that Ryu, also known as Myongnam Chang, apparently attacked the official after being asked to fill out an entry form at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport upon his arrival. According to National Immigration Agency officials, Ryu was drunk when he attacked the official, causing minor fractures.

The actor was questioned by a prosecutor and is prohibited from leaving Taiwan until a ruling is made in the case.

The Silence crew issued a statement late on Sunday saying Ryu had been scheduled to play a small part in the film but following the incident his contract had been terminated.

Ryu is best known for his role in Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's movie Kagemusha.

Scorsese is currently filming Silence in Taiwan. The film's cast includes Taken star Liam Neeson and Amazing Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield.

Silence is an adaptation of Japanese writer Shusaku Endo's 1966 novel of the same name about the persecution of two Jesuit priests who traveled to Japan in the 17th century to find their mentor and spread Christianity.