Taiwanese director Midi Z wins best director award at Asia Pacific film fest
TAIPEI: Midi Zhao (also known as Midi Z), Myanmar-born Taiwanese director of the drama film The Road to Mandalay, has won the award for Best Director at the 58th Asia Pacific Film Festival (APFF) in Taipei.
Zhao, who first attracted attention with his drama film Ice Poison in 2014, received the Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year at the Golden Horse Awards in 2016.
The Road to Mandalay, which describes two immigrants from Myanmar fleeing their country’s civil war in search of a new life in Thailand, first premiered at the 73rd edition of the Venice Film Festival in 2016. The film was later released in cinemas across Taiwan on Sept 9.
During the award ceremony, Garth Davis’ Australian drama film Lion took home the festival’s biggest prize, the Best Feature Film.
The best actress award was won by Teresa Mo of Hong Kong for her role in Tomorrow Is Another Day.
Amir Ali Danaei of Iran grabbed the best actor award for his role in Appendix.
Two years ago, Zhao had brought the plight of Myanmar illegal migrants into the focus at the 73rd Venice Film Festival.
The Road to Mandalay had narrated the struggle of Lianqing and Guo, respectively played by Taiwanese actress Wu Ke-Xi and actor Kai Ko, who travelled illegally from Myanmar to Thailand.
Both young, and in search of a better life, they would become illegal migrant workers in Bangkok, and an almost unspoken love would slowly grow between them.