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TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Hong Kong director Peter Chan Ho-sun's 19th century war epic "The Warlords" won top honours at Saturday's Golden Horse Film Awards in Taiwan, seen as the Chinese-language "Oscars".
"The Warlords," which centres around a general in imperial China who turns against his sworn brother, was named the best film while Chan was awarded best director.
But the film, nominated for 12 gongs, surprisingly missed out on most of the technical awards except of for best visual effects.
"It's not an easy-won award," Chan said when he got on the stage for the best director prize.
"I want to thank the audiences who went to the theatres to watch not only my film but others such as 'Cape No. 7.' They are the hopes for Chinese-language films."
Chan was referring to Taiwanese director Wei Te-sheng's hit romantic drama "Cape No. 7" which was pitted against "The Warlords" in several major categories.
Wei didn't go home empty-handed, as the film collected best supporting actor, best original film score and best original film song prizes.
Wei also picked up a special Taiwanese filmmaker of the year award for his second feature, which was crowned outstanding Taiwanese film of the year.
"I want to thank the audiences in Taiwan who helped promote the movie by word of mouth," said Wei, after receiving the statuettes from Oscar-winning Taiwanese director Lee Ang.
"Cape No. 7," the highest grossing Chinese-language film of all time in Taiwan, tells of a modern-day romance between an aspiring Taiwanese singer and a Japanese publicist on the island.
The film has become mired in controversy after its release in mainland China was held up over its Japanese themes, prompting an appeal from Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou.
This year saw smaller Taiwanese productions outshine their mega-budget rivals in the awards, which have long been dominated by Hong Kong and mainland Chinese films.
"The local industry had been in a long slowdown but a wave of new directors have revived it and given us hopes for Taiwanese cinema with fresh, vital films," said Lee Ang.
Taiwanese social drama "Parking" and "Candy Rain" defeated acclaimed director John Woo's war epic "Red Cliff" to collect best art direction and best make-up and costume design respectively.
The night's biggest surprises were in the acting categories.
China's Zhang Hanyu beat best actor favourite favorite, kung fu star Jet Li from "The Warlords," for his intense performance as a soldier in the Chinese civil war drama "Assembly".
US-based Hong Kong singer-turned-actress Prudence Liew was crowned best actress for playing a drug-addicted prostitute in "True Women for Sale".
The Golden Horse Awards are styled on the US Academy Awards but are decided by a jury along the lines of the Cannes film festival.
The following is a list of winners of Taiwan's 45th annual Golden Horse Film Awards announced on Saturday:
Best Picture: (The Warlords)
Best Director: Peter Chan Ho-sun (The Warlords)
Best Leading Actor: Zhang Hanyu (Assembly)
Best Leading Actress: Prudence Liew (True Women for Sale)
Best Supporting Actor: Ma Ju-lung (Cape No. 7)
Best Supporting Actress: Mei Fang (Orz Boyz)
Best New Performer: Suming Chiang (Hopscotch)
Best Original Screenplay: Tsai Tsung-han, Tom Lin (Winds of September)
Best Screenplay Adaptation: Liu Heng (Assembly)
Best Cinematography: Cheng Siu-keung (Sparrow)
Best Visual Effects: Ng Yuen-fai, Chau Chi-shing, Tracy Kok (The Warlords)
Best Art Direction: Chao Shih-hao (Parking)
Best Make Up & Costume Design: Luke Huang, Sai Com (Candy Rain)
Best Action Choreography: Li Chung-chi (Connected)
Best Original Film Score: Fred Lu, Lo Chi-yi (Cape No. 7)
Best Original Film Song: Southern Country (Cape No. 7 )
Best Film Editing: Yau Chi-wai (Connected)
Best Sound Effects: Steve Burgess (Missing)
Best Documentary: Up the Yangtze (Canada)
Best Short Film: Hopscotch (Taiwan)
Outstanding Taiwanese Film of the Year: (Cape No. 7)
Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year: Wei Te-sheng (Cape No.7)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Chang Feng
Special Contribution Award: Huang Ren
- AFP /ls
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