Taiwan Today

Taiwan’s renowned Golden Horse Awards Ceremony is going big on star power this year, with previous recipients invited to present the current class of winners with their awards. “The Golden Horse alumni’s participation in the event affirms the awards' growing international prestige,” said a local entertainment industry insider Nov. 27. According to the source, the most anticipated event at this year’s event, which is taking place Nov. 28 in Taipei County, is the Best Director award announcement. “Four leading auteurs, including Hou Hsiao-hsien, Stanley Kwan, Ang Lee and Johnnie To Kei-fung, will jointly present the prize.” In addition, thespians Zhang Han-yu and Prudence Liew will give the Best Leading Actor award, with Golden Horse Honorary Ambassador Shu Qi and Daniel Wu handing over the Best Leading Actress prize. Five-time Golden Horse winner Maggie Cheung will present the Best Feature Film award. Shu will go into action one day early, presenting the International Federation of Film Critics, or Fipresci award, and the Best Audience Award at the nominee banquet Nov. 27. Attendees include director Guan Hu and actress Sadrine Pinna. Notable absentees from the Golden Horse due to flight delays or filming commitments include mainland Chinese actresses Li Bing-bing, Yuan Quan and Zhou Xun. The Golden Horse Awards were established in 1962 to promote Taiwan film production and to recognize outstanding films and filmmakers. The title “Golden Horse” is derived from the names of Taiwan’s outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu. (TYH-JSM)