Shu Qi)L) and Kwok Fu-Shing
© AFP Patrick LinKEELUNG, Taiwan (AFP) - The evening gala, staged Sunday in the island's northern port city of Keelung, served as a showcase for Hong Kong-produced films, which have been more market-oriented than those from Taiwan, film critics said.
The big winner of the night was Stephen Chow, who took home best picture and best director awards for his slapstick martial arts comedy "Kung Fu Hustle", but he was not present to claim his first Golden Horses.
Set in 1930s Shanghai, the film -- the most commercially successful in the competition -- has helped Chow finally break through to overseas, and in particular, US audiences.
Hong Kong blockbusters eclipsed Taiwanese art house films at this year's event, with "Kung Fu Hustle" nominated in 10 categories and taking home five prizes.
Legendary Taiwanese auteur Hou Hsiao-hsien lost to Chow in the best director category for his film "Three Times", but was given a newly created award for "Taiwan's best movie worker of the year" -- a bit of a consolation prize.
Anthony Wong
© AFP Patrick LinTaiwanese screen siren and five-time Golden Horse nominee Shu Qi walked away with the best actress award for her role in Hou's three-segment romance.
"I want to thank director Hou (Hsiao-hsien), my parents for their continued support," a tearful Shu said.
Shu's rivals were Chen Shiang-chyi ("The Wayward Cloud"), Miriam Yeung ("Drink, Drank, Drunk") and Michelle Krusiec ("Saving Face").
Chow also stole the limelight from Hong Kong director Johnnie To, whose "Election" -- up for 11 Golden Horses including best director and best picture -- won only in the best original screenplay and best sound effects categories.
In what may have been the biggest surprise of this year's event, Aaron Kwok Fu Shing ("Divergence") edged out fellow Hong Konger Tony Leung Ka-fai to take the award for best actor.
The 40-year-old Kwok said he had not starred in many movies and the award marked "another beginning" for his career.
"I will continue to work harder," he said.
"I want to thank my parents. Without them, I would not have made it today."
Also vying with Leung in the best actor category were Taiwan's Chang Chen ("Three Times"), and Chen Kun ("A West Lake Moment").
Yuen Qiu, a first-time Golden Horse nominee, was rewarded with the best supporting actress prize for her role in "Kung Fu Hustle", defeating Taiwan's Hsiao Shu-shen ("Love's Lone Flower").
Yuen Wah
© AFP Patrick LinAnthony Wong edged out Yuen Wah ("Kung Fu Hustle") to take home the best supporting actor award for his role in "Initial D".
An array of stars walked the "blue carpet" at the cultural center in northern Keelung city, where police tightened security after the first death threat in the history of the Golden Horse event.
A man who demanded five million Taiwan dollars (148,809 US) from event organizers was arrested earlier in the week.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" director Ang Lee and heart-throb actor Takeshi Kaneshiro attended the gala but Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan and Andy Lau, injured on location in Beijing, were not on the guest list.
Taiwan's popular pop music singer Jay Chou ("Initial D"), nominated for the first time in the category of best new performer, beat his rivals Isabella Leonh ("Bug Me Not!"), Race Wong ("Ab-normal Beauty") and Megan Lai ("How's Life?")
The lifetime achievement award went to Ke Hsiang-ting, 88, who has acted in more than 170 movies since 1941. Ke, twice winner of the Golden Horse for best actor, received a standing ovation from the packed-to-capacity hall.
The Golden Horse Awards are styled on the US Academy Awards, but are decided by a jury along the lines of the Cannes film festival.
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