HK stars gallop away from the pack at Golden Horse awards

Hong Kong's action movies were the big winners at Taiwan's Golden Horse awards, dubbed the Chinese Oscars, with big films like Kung Fu Hustle and Initial D taking leads in last night's event.

Hong Kong heartthrob Aaron Kwok Fu-sing bagged the best actor award for his role in Divergence. It was his first nomination for the best actor award.

But Taiwanese actress Shu Qi was able to save some face for the island by clinching the best actress award for her versatility in portraying a sweet pool- hall hostess indulging in puppy love, a restrained courtesan and a hedonistic rock singer in Three Times, which examines three love affairs in three different eras.

'Thank you, thanks for director Hou [Hsiao-hsien] for being so strict with me,' said a tearful Shu.

Director Hou Hsiao-hsien also won the award for best film worker for his Three Times.

Kung Fu Hustle, the action-comedy by Stephen Chow Sing-chi, beat out triad epic Election, directed by Hong Kong director Johnnie To Kei-fung, to take best film.

Veteran Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong Chau-sang bagged the best supporting actor award - his third Golden Horse - for his role as a car-racing old-timer who teaches his son how to deal with challenges in the thriller Initial D.