‘Kano’ top Taiwan Golden Horse contender

2014-10-03

Baseball epic “Kano” will be Taiwan’s top contender at the 51st Golden Horse Awards after the shortlist of 95 nominees in 23 categories was announced Oct. 1 in Taipei City.

“Kano” was nominated for best feature and in five other categories, including best new director and best makeup and costume design.

“We are pleased to see many excellent works created by up-and-coming filmmakers and industry veterans from Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China competing in the Oscars of the Chinese-language film world,” said Sylvia Chang, head of the Golden Horse Executive Committee. “We are confident the best films will be justly rewarded.”

Other local films to generate pre-award buzz include documentary "The Walkers," as well as “Stairway” and “The Free Man,” directed by Matt Wu and Quah Boon-lip, respectively, in the short film category.

Taiwan actor Chang Chen is in the hunt for a best actor gong with his performance in “Brotherhood of Blades,” a Ming dynasty (1638-1644) martial arts epic, while Chen Shiang-chyi was nominated as best actress for “Exit,” which depicts a lonely middle-aged woman caring for her sick mother-in-law.

Films from mainland China also featured strongly this year among the 138 feature submissions. “Black Coal, Thin Ice,” a romantic thriller, led the pack with eight nods, including best feature film, director and actor. “Blind Massage,” depicting the emotional struggles of visually challenged masseurs, followed close behind, with nominations for best feature and best new performer boosting its tally to seven.

All the contending films will screen Nov. 6-27 at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, with the awards ceremony taking place Nov. 22 in Taipei City.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=222355&CtNode=413)