Taiwan’s Golden Horse film awards salute veteran actress Chen Shu-fang
- Chen, 81, wins best leading and best supporting titles for her roles in two family dramas
- Mainland entries were again largely absent as tensions continue to simmer in the Taiwan Strait
My Missing Valentine, a Taiwanese movie about a post office worker who wakes up to discover Valentine’s Day has passed without her knowing, won five awards, including best film and best director.
But it was veteran Taiwan actress Chen Shu-fang, 81 and in the business for more than six decades, who got possibly the warmest reception.
She won for two different films, getting the best supporting actress for Dear Tenant and best leading actress for Little Big Women, both complex family dramas.
Not only had she never won before, she had never been nominated for the prize previously.
“Even if I can no longer walk, I want the director to write a wheelchair role for me,” Chen said.
Beijing’s film regulator last year blocked the country’s movie industry from taking part in the annual Taiwan-hosted awards, which were founded in 1962.
This year’s Golden Horse awards were held in front of a full, mask-wearing audience, testimony to Taiwan’s success at controlling the coronavirus pandemic.
Several high-profile stars, including Taiwan-born Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, had to first complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine, having flown into Taiwan for the ceremony.
