Hong Kong film industry put on spot by China’s boycott of ‘Chinese Oscars’ in Taiwan

Having apparently been warned of a political and commercial backlash if they enter films for Golden Horse Awards, Hong Kong production companies join boycott

Decision means crime dramas featuring a roster of top Hong Kong stars, and Yonfan animation competing for Venice Golden Lion, will miss out on ‘Chinese Oscars’

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Taiwanese documentary director Fu Yue (left), with producer Hong Ting Yi, delivers her Golden Horse Awards acceptance speech last year, in which she voiced support for an independent Taiwan. The speech is the ostensible reason for China’s decision to boycott the awards. Hong Kong film producers will join the boycott. Photo: AP

Published: 8:00pm, 9 Aug 2019Updated: 2:27pm, 20 Aug 2019

Hong Kong filmmakers have been dragged into a political minefield and forced to take sides following Beijing’s boycott of Taiwan’s Golden Horse Film Awards, known as the “Chinese Oscars”, this year.

China Central Television said the ban was a reaction to last year’s Golden Horse Awards ceremony, during which Taiwan-born documentary director Fu Yue spoke of her desire for the island to one day become an independent country. She was speaking after winning best documentary for her film Our Youth in Taiwan.

The boycott is the latest step in a ratcheting up of pressure on the self-ruled island. Recently China halted individual travel to Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province.

Organisers of the Golden Rooster Awards, China’s equivalent of the Golden Horse Awards, announced in June that the 28th edition of the event would be held in the southeastern city of Xiamen from November 19 to 23, clashing with the Golden Horse Awards ceremony on November 23.

A scene from Chasing the Dragon II: Wild Wild Bunch. The Hong Kong film will not be entered for the 56th Golden Horse Film Awards in Taiwan because of China’s boycott of the event.

The boycott has created a dilemma for Hong Kong filmmakers and stars, who must now make a choice between competing for a Golden Horse or a Golden Rooster – and face the political and commercial ramifications.