An open race
A night of glamour and political tension at Golden Horse Awards.
BOTH the thoroughbreds and dark horses galloped to victory at this year’s Golden Horse Awards.
Unlike last year, when only one movie – The Bold, The Corrupt, And The Beautiful – struck the jackpot in taking half of the six leading prizes, with other rivals winning at most one, this year’s race was an open one.
At the event last Saturday, a different movie triumphed in the categories for Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
While iconic director Zhang Yimou finally came home first in the Best Director dash for his acclaimed wuxia flick Shadow, other contenders managed to come out of his big shadow – Shadow had 12 nominations – to reward their own punters.
The prestigious Best Feature Film prize went to An Elephant Sitting Still, about four people who seek solace from their probhunt lems and for a mythical elephant.
Director Hu Bo, who was reportedly in a tug of war with the movie’s producers over creative control, committed suicide at age 29 in Beijing last year.
His mother accepted the award on his behalf.
The Taipei audience hollered when Taiwanese actress Hsieh Ying Xuan lived up to her favourite tag by bagging Best Actress for her riveting performance in Dear Ex, reported Taiwan News.
“I will keep learning hard,” said Hsieh, who shed tears over her breakthrough in fending off four other contenders, including seasoned campaigners
Sun Li (Shadow) and Zhou Xun (Last Letter).
For those taking a bet on which young blood could become a thoroughbred in the future, the odds favour Taiwan’s Si Pangoyod, who clinched Best New Performer for his compelling role in Long Time No Sea.
Earlier this year, the 14-yearshown old had his pedigree, being named Best Young Actor at the Minsk International Film Festival in Belarus for the same role.
But amid the celebrations, the event – dubbed the Chinese cineOscars ma’s – was saddled with politics too.
Yue Fu, in accepting Best Documentary for Our Youth In Taiwan, said: “I hope one day our country will be recognised and treated as a truly independent entity. This is my biggest wish as a Taiwanese.”
The BBC reported that awards presenters last Saturday used the word “China” several times to describe Chinese-language films and one presenter described Taiwan as “China, Taiwan”.
Gong Li, who chaired the jury this year, declined to be on stage with Taiwanese director Ang Lee to present the Best Feature Film award, reportedly because of earlier comments during the night about Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Beijing was also said to have asked all mainland Chinese attendees to boycott an afterceremony party. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Winners at the 55th Golden Horse Awards
Best Feature Film: An Elephant Sitting Still Best Director: Zhang Yimou (Shadow)
Best Actor: Xu Zheng
(Dying To Survive)
Best Actress: Hsieh Ying Xuan (Dear Ex)
Best Supporting Actor: Ben Yuen (Tracey)
Best Supporting Actress: Ding Ning (Cities Of Last Things)