Taiwan family drama ‘A Sun’ wins top honours at Golden Horse film awards amid boycott by Beijing
- The night’s biggest winner was Taiwanese director Chung Mong-hong’s ‘A Sun’ which took best picture, best director, best actor, best supporting actor and best editing awards
- In another move likely to annoy Beijing, Taiwanese composer Lu Lu-ming on Saturday voiced support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests
Taiwanese family drama A Sun won top prizes at the Golden Horse film awards on Saturday in a year marked by the conspicuous absence of talent from China amid plummeting ties between Taipei and Beijing.
Dubbed the Chinese-language Oscars, Golden Horse got into trouble with Beijing after a Taiwanese director called for the island’s independence in an acceptance speech at last year’s ceremony.
There were no mainland films in this year’s nomination list after China’s national film board ordered the country’s directors and stars to boycott the event.
Acclaimed Hong Kong director Johnnie To has resigned as head of the jury citing contractual obligations as several Hong Kong films reportedly also dropped out under pressure from Beijing.
In another move likely to annoy Beijing, Taiwanese composer Lu Lu-ming on Saturday voiced support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests, dedicating his best original film song to “Hongkongers who insist on ideals, and may you live safely and freely”.
The night’s biggest winner was Taiwanese director Chung Mong-hong’s A Sun, which scooped best picture, best director, best actor, best supporting actor and best editing awards.
