'The Warlords,' 'Cape No. 7' big winners at film festival

Prudence Liew, actress of the "True Women for Sale," was a surprise winner of the best actress award, while Chinese actor Chang Hanyu of the Chinese civil war drama "The Assembly" beat several strong rivals to win the best actor award.

"Cape No. 7," which tells of the modern-day romance between an aspiring Taiwanese singer and a Japanese publicist in Taiwan, was rated by audiences as the most outstanding film of the year. It also won the best movie music and song awards, as well as the best supporting actor award, granted to Ma Ju-long. The best supporting actress award went to Mei Fang of the coming-of-age tale "Orz Boyz."

Critics said "The Warlords" was neck-and-neck with Taiwan's hit romance "Cape No. 7" - directed by Taiwanese Wei Te-Sheng - for best film at the 45th ceremony in the central city of Taichung. Other nominees included Chinese civil war drama "The Assembly," erotic love story "Ocean Flame" and a coming-of-age tale "Orz Boyz."

Chan and Wei vied for best director with Taiwan's Sylvia Chang ("Run Papa Run") and Hong Konger Pang Ho-Cheung ("Trivial Matters").

In the acting categories, kung fu star Jet Li is tipped for best actor for his portrayal of a general who turns against his sworn brother in "The Warlords."

Chinese actors Zhang Hanyu ("The Assembly") and Liao Fan ("Ocean Flame") as well as Hong Kong's Louis Koo ("Run Papa Run") were also vying for the prize.

Vying for the best actress award were Monica Mok of the "Ocean Flame," Karena Lam of "Claustrophobia", Prudence Liew "True Women for Sale" and Taiwanese-French newcomer Sandrine Pinna "Miao Miao"

Some of Asian cinema's biggest names yesterday gathered in Taichung City for the Golden Horse Film Awards, considered the Chinese-language "Oscars." Acclaimed Taiwanese director Ang Lee, Hong Kong film maker John Woo and Bond girl Michelle Yoeh were among the celebrities attending the gala ceremony.

Besides "Cape No. 7," "Orz Boyz," "Winds of September" and "Parking" have enjoyed box office success and critical acclaim.

The Golden Horse Awards are styled on the U.S. Academy Awards but are decided by a jury along the lines of the Cannes film festival.

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