"Kekexili" wins best film at Chinese Oscars
2004-12-04

Category Golden Horse Awards Nations China People Johnnie To Wong Kar-Wai Ang Lee Bai Ling Jackie Chan Yang Kuei-Mei Andy Lau Event 2004 Golden Horse Awards Movie Infernal Affairs Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Moon also Rises, The Hoh Xil: Mountain Patrol 2046

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - A bleak portrayal of life on a Tibetan plateau won the best film award at the Chinese-language version of the Oscars on Saturday, becoming the first entry from China to bag the top prize in Taiwan.

"Kekexili: Mountain Patrol," a second feature by Chinese director Lu Chuan, beat internationally acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai's latest art house movie "2046" at the Golden Horse Awards, which showcases films from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.

Hong Kong's Andy Lau took the best actor award for his role in the popular cop drama "Infernal Affairs III," after losing his bid for the title for three years.

"It must be difficult for some of you to believe that I can act," joked Lau, who also has a thriving career as a pop singer, after accepting his award in a crisp white suit.

Taiwan has played host to the Golden Horse Awards for 41 years, but contestants from Hong Kong and China have stolen the spotlight in recent years as Taiwan's once-thriving movie industry is in decline.

This year's top prizes were distributed more evenly, however.

The best actress award went to Taiwan's Yang Kuei Mei, a veteran actress and four-time Golden Horse nominee, for her role in "The Moon also Rises" -- a melancholy drama about a divorced single mother and her adolescent daughter in a seaside town.

"I lost year after year but I have been brave. I finally won," said the veteran Taiwan actress who, overcome with emotion, burst into tears on stage.

"We must support Taiwan movies. They are Taiwan's culture," Yang said in the central city of Taichung, where the glittering red-carpet ceremony was held this year.

Cannes winner "2046," about the love life of an erotic novelist played by Hong Kong's Tony Leung, went in to the awards as a favourite with 8 nominations, but only won two trophies -- best art direction and best original film score.

It lost best film to "Kekexili," which is based on the true story of a journalist who joins a Tibetan volunteer patrol chasing a ring of poachers trading in antelope wool. The film also took best cinematography for Cao Yu.

Director Lu Chuan said he was glad he could obtain a visa at the last minute and come to Taiwan to receive the award. Taiwan imposes strict rules on visitors from its political foe, China, which claims the self-governing island as part of its territory.

Hong Kong's Johnnie To was awarded best director for his "Breaking News," which combines the territory's favourite cop drama genre with its paparazzi-style journalism.

Best supporting actress went to Bai Ling for her role in "Three...Extremes: Dumplings," while Daniel Wu bagged the best supporting actor for his role in Hong Kong's "New Police Story."

"New Police Story" starring Jackie Chan also bagged best visual effects and best action choreography.

Renowned Taiwan-born director Ang Lee, whose martial arts epic "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" had won four Oscars, attended the ceremony to show his support for Chinese-language films.

"Some things never change, such as our passion for Chinese movies," Lee said, adding that Chinese films could compete with better-funded Hollywood blockbusters if film makers use their creativity.

"Creativity is the most important thing for a good movie."