Blind-Massage.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese Director Lou Ye's drama film "Blind Massage" garnered most of this year's awards at the 51st Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan on Saturday.
Taiwan's counterpart for Oscars recognized "Blind Massage" in six of the seven categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Sound Effects and Best Cinematography.
The Chinese-French film starred by Chinese actors Qin Hao and Huang Xan, and newcomer Zhang Lei, is adapted from a novel about blind masseurs working in a Nanjing City massage parlor.
Zhang won Best New Performer as well for his role as Kong in the film.
Aside from the "Blind Massage" team, actor and director Chen Jianbin was also recognized as Best Lead Actor and Best New Director for the film "A Fool," and Best Supporting Actor for the military drama "Paradise in Service."
The 44-year-old actor portrayed in "A Fool" the role of a Chinese farmer who encounters and adopts a homeless man.
Another winner at the awards was Ann Hui, who won her third Best Director, this time for the film "The Golden Era" which depicts Chinese writer Xiao Hong's life.
Hui admitted that her win was unexpected, as she was rooting for Chinese actress Tang Wei for the Best Lead Actress award, but nonetheless grateful for their nominations in five categories.
The Best Lead Actress award, meanwhile, was given to Chen Shiang-chyi of "Exit." Chen dedicated the honor to Taiwan.
Awarded the Golden Bear prize this year at the Berlin International Film Festival, the detective thriller "Black Coal, Thin Ice" directed by Diao Yinan was nominated in eight categories and was honored with Best Art Direction at the Golden Horse.
The 2014 Golden Horse Film Festival had more than 100 entries than last year. Out of the total 364 films, 38 were nominated for 21 awards.
