“Unveil the Truth II: State Apparatus” won Grand Prize and Best Documentary. Directed by Li Hui-jen, the film was honored for its optimistic and humorous tone in drawing the curtain back on the dark side of local society.
“Exit,” by director Chien Hsiang, picked up Best Narrative Feature and Best Actress Award for female lead Chen Shiang-chyi. It depicts the life of a lonely middle-aged woman devoted to caring for her sick mother-in-law.
Lee Kang-sheng collected Best Actor for his work in “Stray Dogs,” a film about an alcoholic man and his young children who struggle to build a better life in Taipei. Midi Zhao won Best Director for “Ice Poison,” which features a poverty-stricken young farmer in Myanmar lured into the lucrative business of selling crystal meth, or “ice poison” in Chinese. And Yee Chih-yen picked up Best Screenplay for “Meeting Dr. Sun,” a drama involving two groups of teenagers attempting competing to sell a discarded statue of ROC Founding Father Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
This year’s event also marks the end of TFF Chairwoman Sylvia Chang’s four-year term at the helm of the organization. The renowned Taiwan-born actress and director is succeeded by local moviemaker Lee Lieh.
“We appreciate Chang’s dedication in promoting Taiwan films over the past four years. The festival has seen significant growth in scale and media exposure on the back of her efforts,” a TFF official said. “At the same time, we look forward to Lee ushering in a new era of vitality and embracing more of the indie spirit.”
TFF only accepts submissions from Taiwan-made films, unlike the Golden Horse Awards. The latter is among the most prestigious and time-honored film awards in the world of Chinese language cinema. (DF-JSM)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw