Outtakes

Actress Gong Li publicly trashed the most prestigious and longest-running Chinese film awards ceremony after the prize for best actress prize went to Taiwan's Chen Shiang-chyi last week. "I would like to give special thanks to the Golden Horse Awards for giving me this opportunity to see just what an unprofessional film festival looks like," Gong said through her publicist after the event.

If you think the 48-year-old superstar is simply a sore loser, there's more to the story. Gong was considered by critics as a shoe-in for a number of acting awards this festival season for her performance in Zhang Yimou's Coming Home — and the film has all the characteristics of award-bait, being an overlong drama about a family torn apart by the Cultural Revolution, starring Gong in aged make-up and playing against type.

However, when Chinese-American actress Joan Chen — with whom Gong is rumoured to be at odds — was appointed festival jury head earlier this year, rumours began swirling that the deck would be stacked against Gong.

After the ceremony, Chen took to social media to plead her innocence."I always respect Gong Li's acting ability … I cast all my votes her way," she wrote on Weibo. Gong, apparently, doesn't buy that, and has vowed never to return to the festival.