Big night for Chinese films: Awards of 55th Golden Horse Film Festival unveiled

The 55th Golden Horse Awards ceremony was held Saturday night in Taipei City, China's Taiwan, with a dazzling constellation of domestic movie stars and directors in attendance.

Celebrated filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who was awarded the Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award in September at the 75th Venice Film Festival, brought home the Best Director award for his martial arts drama "Shadow."

Director Zhang Yimou delivers his acceptance speech after winning the Best Director award for his latest film "Shadow" at the 55th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei on November 17, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

"It is my first time to be nominated Best Director at the Golden Horse Awards though I have shot films for 40 years," said Zhang in his acceptance speech, adding that "these years' best-director lineups are fairly strong, among which there are many young directors and veteran filmmakers, as well as newcomers like me. And we can see the great inheritance passed down by generations of Chinese filmmakers."

Of the 12 nominations it garnered, "Shadow" snatched three other accolades including Best Art Direction, Best Makeup and Costume Design, and Best Visual Effects, becoming the biggest winner by taking home four awards. 

Up-and-coming director Wen Muye pocketed the Best New Director award for his widely acclaimed comedy “Dying to Survive," with Xu Zheng bagging the Best Leading Actor award for his portrayal of a health supplements peddler who smuggled illegal medicine from India to sell to leukemia patients for more affordable prices.

Actor Xu Zheng poses backstage after winning Best Leading Actor for his movie "Dying to Survive" at the 55th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei on November 17, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

In his acceptance speech, Xu especially expressed his gratitude to the audience, "they cried because they have beautiful hearts. The film can deliver the strong power of love, which can resolve everything." The movie, which raked in 3.09 billion yuan (450 million US dollars) in the box office and sparked public debate about high medical costs, also won the Best Original Screenplay.

Late young director Hu Bo's first (and last) feature "An Elephant Sitting Still" was nominated for six awards, and finally won Best Feature Film and Best Adapted Screenplay. Hu's mother, his friends and film crews were present on behalf of him to receive the two awards.

Team members display two trophies after winning the Best Feature Film for the film "An Elephant Sitting Still" at the 55th Golden Horse Awards, November 17, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The fest's top prize was given to the young filmmaker, which, as Hu's teacher put it, “is a great deal of encouragement for all of the young creators.” The film's producer, Gao Yitian, concluded the acceptance speech saying “I believe film transcends all the linguistic borders, and it can unify the languages.”

Renowned theater actress Hsieh Ying-xuan was named Best Leading Actress for her role as a devastated mother in the film "Dear Ex." Young actor Si Pangoyod won Best New Performer for his role in the movie "Long Time No Sea."

Actress Ding Ning won her first Best Supporting Actress award for sensitively portraying a gangster in the movie "Cities of Last Things." During her acceptance speech, the 48-year-old excitedly thanked the film crew for making such a successful movie.

Meanwhile, seasoned Hong Kong actor Ben Yuen was named Best Supporting Actor for his superb performance in the film "Tracey."

Actress Gong Li, head of the jury of the 55th Golden Horse Awards, poses on the red carpet, November 17, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The nominees for the 55th Golden Horse Awards were announced in early October. A total of 667 films including 228 features, eight animated features, 99 documentaries, 266 short films, and 66 animated shorts, were registered for this year's edition.

Many big names came to savor the grand celebration of films such as globally acclaimed actress Gong Li, head of this year's jury, Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, chairman of the executive committee, prestigious director Hou Hsiao-hsien, and renowned actor Andy Lau.

Director Ang Lee poses on the red carpet at the 55th Golden Horse Awards, November 17, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

Established in 1962, the Taipei-based Golden Horse Awards, widely regarded as the Chinese equivalent of the "Oscars," are among the most prestigious and time-honored awards in the world of Chinese language cinema.