Golden Brooms ‘ award’ China’s worst
The Golden Broom Awards, which “awards” the worst Chinese films of the year, were held in Beijing on Sunday.
In an unexpected twist, an awardwinner accepted an award in person for the first time in the event’s eight- yearlong history.
“This award will be a reminder for me that will give me the driving force and pressure I need to move ahead. I hope to make better films in the future,” Zheng Laizhi, director of romance film For Love, said when accepting the award, as reported by the Beijing Daily on Monday.
For Love was one of three films awarded the Most Disappointing Smalland Medium- Budget Film award this year, along with China- South Korean co- production My New Sassy Girl ( director Jo Geun- shik) and suspense comedy Royal Treasure ( directors Yan Min and Ren Jing).
Fantasy blockbuster League of Gods, veteran Hong Kong directing duo Wong Jing and Andrew Lau’s The Man From Macau III and See You Tomorrow, whose executive producer was famous Hong Kong director Wong Kai- wai, jointly won the award for Most Disappointing Film.
The Great Wall, the US- China action blockbuster, was awarded a new award – Most Heartbreaking Film of the Year.
Though the Golden Broom event has not seen any interference from government or industry organizations since it was first established, Cheng Qingsong, chief editor of Youth Film Handbook and the awards’ organizer, told the Global Times that a lack of sponsors has been a problem. Yet he has vowed to not give up despite financial hurdles.
“We will continue even if no one comes to accept an award,” Cheng said. “The show is a voice. Though it is low, we hope to be heard.”