Sunday April 15, 2007 Hong Kong HONG KONG (AFP) - Family drama "After This Our Exile" swept the top honours at the Hong Kong Film Awards, winning five prizes, including best film and best director for Patrick Tam. "Thank you for the judges' support for me.... I thank all the actors and crew members and also God, who gave me such a great gift," Tam told a 1,000-strong audience at the harbour-front Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The movie was Tam's first feature film since his "My Heart Is That Eternal Rose" in 1989. The art-house film about a single and abusive father who turns to gambling won child star Gouw Ian Iskandar two gongs in the best new performer and supporting actor categories. The movie also won the best screenplay title. "I didn't think I would win another prize again. I've learned a lot from making the film. I'm very happy," the child star said. The movie beat strong contenders in the best film category, including world-renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou's "Curse of the Golden Flower" and veteran Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To's gangster flick "Election 2." To did not win a single prize despite being tipped to win one of the major gongs. His triad movies, "Election 2" and "Exile" received five and four nominations respectively, including for best director and best film. Dark horse Lau Ching-wan bagged the best actor gong for his role in "My Name is Fame," trumping strong competition from charismatic actor Chow Yun-fat of "Golden Flower," martial arts master Jet Li of "Fearless" and heart-throb Tony Leung Chiu-wai of "Confession of Pain." "Golden Flower," the most expensive Chinese film to date, with a budget of 45 million dollars, won four prizes in mostly minor categories including art direction, with Chinese starlet Gong Li being crowned the best actress. The film, which was nominated for best costume design at this year's Oscars, picked up the best costume and make-up design award here. Taiwanese singer, actor and composer Jay Chou won the best original film song gong for the movie. The sumptuous movie tells the story of an imperial family falling into turmoil, with the emperor (Chow) gradually poisoning the empress (Gong) after she had an affair with her stepson. Although Zhang lost out in the best director award, his "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles" picked up the best Asian film prize. "Fearless," starring Li, who portrayed martial arts master Huo Yuanjia in the movie, had seven nominations but only took home one prize, with Yuen Wo-ping beating kung fu hero Jackie Chan of comedy "Rob B Hood" for the best action choreography. Composer Peter Kam, who won top honours for his music in "Isabella" at the Berlin Film Festival last year, has also been recognised for the best original film score for the same movie. Movie guru Run Run Shaw, who is 100 years old and whose film career spans more than 40 years, received a special honour for his contribution to the local film industry. The 26th awards struggled to attract some of the big-name stars. Zhang, Li, Gong, Chow and To were all absent from the gala evening. Among those who stepped onto the red carpet were Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Aaron Kwok, Jay Chou, Donnie Yen as well as South Korean stars Song Hye Kyo and Kwon Sang Woo. credits: news.sawf.org, asianfanatics.
