Ang Lee's spy thriller sweeps Chinese-language "Oscars"
2007-12-08

Nations Australia People Tony CW Leung Ang Lee Joan Chen Event 2007 Golden Horse Awards Movie Lust, Caution Infernal Affairs

Taiwanese director Ang Lee's erotic spy thriller "Lust, Caution" swept the top honours at the Golden Horse Film Awards, seen as the Chinese-language "Oscars".

"Lust, Caution," took home seven awards, including the coveted best film, best director, and best actor accolades.

Lee was also recognised as the outstanding Taiwanese filmmaker of the year at the 44th edition of the awards in a glittering ceremony in the Taipei Arena.

"I am really moved by the audience's overwhelming support (of the film) in Taiwan and in Asia. I feel like I am sharing a joint effort with them," Lee said.

The film, called "Se, Jie" in Chinese, also bagged best make-up and costume design, best original film score, best screenplay adaptation for Lee's long-time partner James Schamus and best new performer for Chinese actress Tang Wei.

"Lust, Caution" in September picked up the Golden Lion for best picture at the Venice Film Festival.

Lee, noted for blending elements from the East and West to depict characters struggling to fit into society and live up to family pressure, won the best director Oscar for his groundbreaking gay cowboy drama "Brokeback Mountain" in 2006.

He last won a Golden Horse for directing in 1993 for the family drama "The Wedding Banquet."

Hong Kong star Tony Leung Chiu-wei garnered an unprecedented third best actor title for his performance as a powerful Japanese collaborator in "Lust, Caution," which is set in World War II Shanghai.

Leung, who was absent from the ceremony, won best actor in 2003 for the hit police thriller "Infernal Affairs" and in 1994 for the love story "Chungking Express."

Chinese-American veteran Joan Chen beat top rival Tang Wei to take her second best actress crown for her performance in "The Home Song Stories."

The film depicts the troubled love life of Chen's character, who moved to Australia from Shanghai with her two children. It is competing for a best foreign language film Oscar representing Australia next year.

Some 36 films were nominated at this year's Golden Horse Film Awards, which are styled on the US Academy Awards but decided by a jury, as at the Cannes film festival.