Golden Horse goes to mainland movie Kekexili
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-05 09:12

A sleeper hit about saving the Tibetan antelope from poachers became the first movie from Chinese mainland to win Taiwan's Golden Horse Award on Saturday — the Oscar for Chinese-language cinema.

Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, left, kisses Taiwan actress Yang Kuei-mei as they display their trophies at the 41st annual Golden Horse Awards in Taichung, 150 kilometers (94 miles) south west of Taipei, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004. Lau won the Best Leading Actor Award for his performance in 'Internal Affairs III,' while Yang won the Best Leading Actress Award for her performance in 'The Moon Also Rises.' [AP Photo]

"Hoh Xil: Mountain Patrol," also known as "Kekexili," was picked over two star-studded Hong Kong blockbusters — "Infernal Affairs III" and "2046" — in the 41st edition of the annual ceremony.

Although the mainland has produced a steady stream of critically acclaimed films in recent years, few movies from the mainland have entered the Golden Horse competition.

Director Lu Chuan poses with his award for best film for his film 'Kekexili' at the Golden Horse Award ceremony on December 4,2004. [Reuters]

The director of "Hoh Xil" Lu Chuan expressed gratitude in his acceptance speech to Hollywood studios Sony Columbia and Warner Brothers for investing in his movie about volunteers protecting Tibetan antelope from ruthless poachers in remote western China.

"I hope you can continue to trust me, because I will certainly make different movies," the 33-year-old director said.

Hong Kong's Andy Lau was honored as best actor for his role as a gangster in the thriller "Infernal Affairs III." A modest Lau told the judges, "To make everybody believe I can act is a bit difficult, but in the future, my acting will not embarrass you."

The best actress award went to Taiwan's Yang Kuei-mei, who portrayed a divorcee trying to salvage her life in the "The Moon Also Rises."

As she grabbed her Golden Horse, Yang noted that she was nominated four times before but never won. "Can my speech be a little bit longer, because I have four years' experience," joked Yang, who starred in the 1994 romantic comedy "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman."

Hong Kong's Johnnie To won the best director award for his action movie "Breaking News," which explored the relationship between the media and the fight against crime.

Hong Kong heartthrob Daniel Wu won the best-supporting actor award for his role beside kung fu king Jackie Chan in the action movie "New Police Story."

Receiving his prize, Wu noted that when he started out in movies, he was "a fool with no ideas. Now I am a fool with an award."

The best cinematography award went to Cao Yu for "Hoh Xil: Mountain Patrol," shot in western China's rugged Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

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