Hong Kong Reigns Supreme At The 48th Golden Horse Awards!

The prestigious annual 48th Golden Horse Awards, or better known as Taiwan's version of the Oscars, has finally announced the winners. The big-budget Taiwanese war epic, WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE, which led the way with 11 nominations, has walked home five Golden Horse statuettes: Best Film, Best Supporting Actor (Bokeh Kosang), Best Sound Effect (Tu Duu-Chih, Tang Hsiang-Chu, Wu Shu-Yao), Best Original Film Score (Ricky Ho), and Audience Award For Best Film. But it was Hong Kong who actually reigns supreme in bagging three most important prizes, and the movie was none others than Ann Hui's heartfelt drama A SIMPLE LIFE. Hui was named Best Director, while Deannie Ip and Andy Lau both walked home Best Actress and Best Actor respectively. It was especially a double joy for Deannie Ip, who had earlier bagged her Venice Film Festival win for Best Actress as well. Here's what Andy Lau had to say upon receiving the Best Actor award.

In the past few years I've seen Taiwanese filmmakers struggling during the lowest time of the film industry, and I've seen how you revive. Now it's the lowest time for Hong Kong films. I hope we can also hang in there through the hard time, and be as good as Taiwan's achievement.

In the meantime, Peter Chan's martial arts drama WU XIA, which was nominated with five awards, managed to take home three Golden Horse statuettes -- all technical awards -- Best Action Choreography (Donnie Yen), Best Visual Effects (Yung Kwok-Yin, Andy Kang), and Best Art Direction (Yee Chung-man, Sun Li).

However, Jiang Wen's well-praised action comedy LET THE BULLETS FLY which was nominated for nine awards, managed only to snag Best Adapted Screenplay (Zhu Sujin, Shu Ping, Jiang Wen, Guo Junli, Wei Xiao, Li Bukong) and Best Cinematography (Zhao Fei).

Last but not least, Taiwan's huge hit and Hong Kong's current highest-grossing movie of the year on the teen drama YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE which has bagged four nominations, only took home Best New Performer (Ko Chen-Tung).

Here's a complete list of 48th Golden Horse Awards winners below.

Best Film: Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale

Best Director: Ann Hui - A Simple Life

Best Actor: Andy Lau - A Simple Life

Best Actress: Deanie Ip - A Simple Life

Best Supporting Actor: Bokeh Kosang - Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale

Best Supporting Actress: Tang Qun - Return Ticket

Lifetime Achievement Award: Ting Shan-Hsi

The International Federation of Film Critics award: The Piano in a Factory

Best Original Screenplay: Yang Nan-Chian, Teng Yung-shing, Qin Hailu, Ge Wen-Zhe, Xi Ran - Return Ticket

Best Adapted Screenplay: Zhu Sujin, Shu Ping, Jiang Wen, Guo Junli, Wei Xiao, Li Bukong - Let the Bullets Fly

Best Action Choreography: Donnie Yen - Wu Xia

Best Art Direction: Yee Chung-Man, Sun Li - Wu Xia

Best Editing: Chen Hsiao-Tung - The Man Behind the Book

Best Cinematography: Zhao Fei - Let the Bullets Fly

Best Visual Effects: Yung Kwok-Yin, Andy Kang - Wu Xia

Best Score: Ricky Ho - Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale

Best Song: Ascent Chen - Jump Ashin!

Best Sound: Tu Duu-Chih, Tang Hsiang-Chu, Wu Shu-Yao - Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale

Best Makeup and Costume Design: Hao Yi - The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman

Best Documentary: Hometown Boy

Best Short Film: Thief

Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year: Wong Wei-Liu

Best New Performer: Ko Chen-Tung - You are the Apple of My Eye

Best New Director: Wuershan - The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman

Audience Award for Best Film: Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale