The Golden Horse Gallops to China: How a Chinese Film
- Chinese film set during COVID-19 pandemic wins top prizes at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards
- Beijing banned its entertainers from joining Golden Horse in 2019
- Despite political tensions, over 200 Chinese films entered this year’s competition
- Lou Ye awarded best director for "An Unfinished Film," also named best picture
- Chinese actor Zhang Zhiyong won best actor for "Bel Ami"
- Hong Kong’s Chung Suet-ying named best actress for "The Way We Talk"
- Films "Bel Ami" and "An Unfinished Film" not released in China
- Golden Horse Awards remains a stage for independent Chinese films
- Lou Ye’s film "An Unfinished Film" described as a work of conscience by Taiwanese film critic
- Lou Ye’s film tackles COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan during lockdown
A Chinese film set during the COVID-19 pandemic took home the top honors at Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Horse Awards, despite political tensions between China and Taiwan. The Golden Horse Awards, often referred to as the Chinese-language “Oscars,” have been a platform for recognizing outstanding achievements in the film industry.
In 2019, Beijing banned its entertainers from participating in the Golden Horse Awards after a Taiwanese director expressed support for Taiwan’s independence during an acceptance speech in 2018. This move came as a result of China’s claim over Taiwan as part of its territory, a claim that is rejected by the Taipei government. Since then, Chinese A-listers and big commercial productions have largely avoided the event.
However, this year saw a record number of over 200 Chinese films entering the competition, marking the highest number in recent years according to Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). One of the standout winners of the night was acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Lou Ye, who took home the award for best director for his docu-drama “An Unfinished Film,” which also won the best picture award. The film is set during China’s lockdown of Wuhan in the early stages of the pandemic.
Lou Ye was not present at the ceremony, but his wife Ma Yingli read his acceptance speech, describing the film as “the most special directing job I have ever done.” Chinese actor Zhang Zhiyong won the best actor award for his performance in the same-sex drama “Bel Ami,” directed by Geng Jun. Hong Kong’s Chung Suet-ying was named best actress for her role in “The Way We Talk,” a film about the deaf community.
Despite their accolades, neither “Bel Ami” nor “An Unfinished Film” has been released in China. MAC spokesman Liang Wen-chieh expressed hope that these films would still have a platform to be seen and appreciated, despite potential restrictions in mainland China.
The Golden Horse Awards have historically been a stage for independent Chinese films that may not have a distribution space on the mainland. Taiwanese film critic Wonder Weng noted that the awards have always been open to all subjects, serving as a benchmark for showcasing diverse voices in cinema. Weng highlighted Lou Ye’s “An Unfinished Film” as a work of conscience, as the director has tackled controversial subjects in his previous works.
Lou’s latest film depicts a film crew attempting to resume shooting during the COVID-19 lockdown in Wuhan, showcasing images that are often censored or banned in China. Weng praised Lou for preserving historical images and providing a platform for different voices to be heard.
Despite ongoing political tensions, the Golden Horse Awards continue to be a platform for recognizing exceptional talent and unique storytelling in the Chinese-language film industry. The event brings together filmmakers and stars from around the region, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration despite differing political ideologies.
/Digital Sauce
