At the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan on Saturday, films from China exploring themes of the COVID pandemic and romance took home major honors, marking a moment of international recognition for Chinese cinema. The Golden Horse Awards, often regarded as the Chinese-speaking world’s equivalent of the Oscars, have long been known for their diversity and independence from the strict censorship that governs mainland China.
Chinese director Lou Ye’s docu-drama An Unfinished Film, which reflects on the emotional and societal impacts of the COVID lockdowns in China, was the standout winner of the night. The film clinched both Best Film and Best Director, with the awards accepted on his behalf by his wife, Ma Yingli, as Lou Ye is currently in Japan for work. In a message read out by Ma, Lou expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the film, acknowledging the collective experience of the pandemic: “We all went through that difficult period together,” he said.
Meanwhile, the black-and-white gay drama Bel Ami by Chinese director Geng Jun, produced in France, triumphed in several categories, including Best Leading Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. The film, which tells a poignant story of love and longing, earned special recognition for its lead actor, Zhang Zhiyong. Geng Jun accepted the Best Leading Actor award on behalf of Zhang, sharing a heartfelt story about the actor’s perseverance. Zhang, who suffered a childhood injury that left him with partial disabilities, was initially self-conscious about his appearance, especially his injured eyes and hands. Geng encouraged him not to shy away from these aspects, saying, “This is your unique sense of reality and characteristic, and you are a most unique actor.”
The Golden Horse Awards have long been a beacon for cinematic freedom and innovation, unburdened by the intense censorship that affects films produced in mainland China. This independence is reflected in the diversity of films presented at the awards, which regularly explore politically and socially sensitive subjects. However, this independence has not been without political repercussions.
In 2019, China officially banned its movie industry from participating in the Golden Horse Awards, a move that followed a controversial incident in 2018 when Taiwanese director Fu Yue made comments in support of Taiwan’s independence during her acceptance speech. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, saw Fu’s remarks as a violation of its “red lines” and responded by severing ties with the prestigious awards. Since then, the Golden Horse Awards have been a symbol of Taiwan’s cinematic freedom, standing in stark contrast to the tightly controlled film industry in mainland China.
Despite the political tensions, the Golden Horse Awards remain an important platform for Chinese-language cinema, offering a space where filmmakers can create and showcase work free from the constraints of censorship. This year’s winners, including Lou Ye’s An Unfinished Film and Geng Jun’s Bel Ami, reflect the creative resilience and storytelling strength of the Chinese-speaking world.
