Taiwan cheers Ang Lee's Life of Pi Oscar success
Director hails his home island as he wins his second Oscar for tale of shipwreck and survival
Taiwan celebrated on Monday after director Ang Lee stunned the island and Hollywood by winning his second Oscar, for the screen adaptation of Life of Pi.
As Lee thanked his team and his wife, Jane Lin, when accepting the award on stage, Taiwan's people rejoiced at his victory over strong contenders, including Steven Spielberg (Lincoln) and Michael Haneke (Amour). In 2005, Lee won the best director award for Brokeback Mountain, the gay cowboy love tragedy.
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou cabled a congratulatory message to Lee, while Taiwan Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai also sent him a telegram, saying: "We feel very proud of you."
Taiwan Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai also sent him a telegram, saying 'We feel very proud of you'
Jason Hu, the mayor of Taichung, said he would confer honorary citizenship on Lee for his achievement. During last night's ceremony, Lee expressed his gratitude to the city's government for raising NT$50 million (HK$13 million) to help build the site where most of Life of Pi was filmed.