Taiwan's Golden Horse Goes to China Movie
2004-12-04

Chinese director Lu Chuan poses with his award for best film for his film 'Kekexili' at the Golden Horse Award ceremony in central Taichung City on December 4,2004. The annual Golden Horse Awards are Taiwan's premier film awards.

Category Golden Horse Awards Nations China People Johnnie To Bai Ling Andy Lau Jackie Chan Event 2004 Golden Horse Awards Movie Infernal Affairs Hoh Xil: Mountain Patrol Infernal Affairs 3 2046

TAIPEI, Taiwan - A sleeper hit about saving the Tibetan antelope from poachers became the first movie from China to win Taiwan's Golden Horse Award on Saturday - the Oscar for Chinese-language cinema.

``Hoh Xil: Mountain Patrol,'' also known as ``Kekexili,'' was picked over two star-studded Hong Kong blockbusters - ``Infernal Affairs III'' and ``2046'' - in the 41st edition of the annual ceremony.

Although China has produced a steady stream of critically acclaimed films in recent years, few movies from the mainland have entered the Golden Horse competition.

This was mostly due to the long-standing political feud between Taiwan and China, split by a civil war in 1949. But in recent years, cultural exchanges have been increasing.

Lu Chuan, the director of ``Hoh Xil,'' avoided politics in his acceptance speech. He thanked Hollywood studios Sony Columbia and Warner Brothers for investing in his movie about volunteers protecting Tibetan antelope from ruthless poachers in remote western China.

``I hope you can continue to trust me, because I will certainly make different movies,'' the 33-year-old director said.

Hong Kong's Andy Lau was honored as best actor for his role as a gangster in the thriller ``Infernal Affairs III.'' A modest Lau told the judges, ``To make everybody believe I can act is a bit difficult, but in the future, my acting will not embarrass you.''

The best actress award went to Taiwan's Yang Kuei-mei, who portrayed a divorcee trying to salvage her life in the ``The Moon Also Rises.''

As she grabbed her Golden Horse, Yang noted that she was nominated four times before but never won. ``Can my speech be a little bit longer, because I have four years' experience,'' joked Yang, who starred in the 1994 romantic comedy ``Eat, Drink, Man, Woman.''

Yang also made a plea for supporting Taiwan's struggling film industry. ``Beginning this year, you really must support Taiwanese movies, Taiwanese movies are Taiwan's culture. You cannot forget this,'' she said.

Hong Kong's Johnnie To won the best director award for his action movie ``Breaking News,'' which explored the relationship between the media and the fight against crime.

Hong Kong heartthrob Daniel Wu won the best-supporting actor award for his role beside kung fu king Jackie Chan in the action movie ``New Police Story.''

Receiving his prize, Wu noted that when he started out in movies, he was ``a fool with no ideas. Now I am a fool with an award.''

Bai Ling of China was named best supporting actress for playing an aging actress who eats dumplings stuffed with embryos because she believes it will keep her young in the horror movie ``Three ... Extremes: Dumplings'' by Hong Kong director Fruit Chan.

The best cinematography award went to Cao Yu for ``Hoh Xil: Mountain Patrol,'' shot in western China's rugged Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. AP