ROC President Ma Ying-jeou congratulated Taiwan director Ang Lee Feb. 25 for capturing prizes in cinematography, directing, original score and visual effects at the 2013 Academy Awards with his 3-D film, “Life of Pi.”
Lee is the first Asian to be named best director twice. He also received the honor in 2006 for “Brokeback Mountain.”
Presidential Office spokeswoman Li Jia-fei said the president was delighted to learn the news, especially when Ang Lee mentioned in his acceptance speech that he could not have made the movie without the help of Taiwan.
At a news conference in Taipei City Nov. 10, 2012, Lee said 90 percent of the movie was shot in Taiwan and every member of his 150-strong team from 24 countries felt the nine-month stay on the island was substantial and a delight.
Ma visited the production site in Taichung City in April 2011, Li said. He was touched to witness Ang Lee’s determination to introduce Taiwan to the world by bringing the crew to the nation, further allowing local moviemakers to have an opportunity to learn from their Hollywood counterparts.
According to Li, Ma said, “I would like to thank Ang Lee and those in the movie sector who have devoted themselves to Taiwan.”
The US$120 million “Life of Pi” is based on Canadian author Yann Martel’s Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name. First published in 2001, it describes how Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel survives while stranded on a boat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger. (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at mlkuo@mofa.gov.tw