SINGAPORE: "The Home Song Stories" – an epic tale about love, secrets and betrayal – continues to create buzz in Australia.

The MediaCorp Raintree Pictures movie has received 14 nominations at the 2007 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards.

MediaCorp actor, Qi Yuwu, has garnered a nomination for his first international film – a high point of his 8-year acting career.

He will be vying for the Best Lead Actor award with well-established actors such as Eric Bana.

The actor said working on "The Home Song Stories" has opened his eyes to new opportunities and has inspired him to hone his craft.

Qi said: "Whether I win or not, I hope more filmmakers will notice me through this nomination because at the end of the day, when you talk to them, you have to show them something. If they have watched this movie, they could see my acting skills and the kind of roles I could take."

Co-star Joan Chen, who took on the role of a glamorous Shanghai nightclub singer in the film, has been nominated in the Best Lead Actress category.

Joel Lok and Irene Chen, who played her children in the movie, also received nominations in the Young Actor and Best Supporting Actress categories.

Furthermore, the film is up for the Best Director and Best Film awards.

Winners will be announced at the AFI Awards ceremony in Melbourne on 5 and 6 December.

"The Home Song Stories" is the first Singapore-Australian co-production. Its screenplay has already won the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award.


- CNA/so