TAIPEI: Taiwanese family drama “A Sun” won top prizes at the Golden Horse film awards on Saturday in a year marked by the conspicuous absence of talent from China amid plummeting ties between Taipei and Beijing.

Dubbed the Chinese-language “Oscars,” Golden Horse got into trouble with Beijing after a Taiwanese director called for the island’s independence in an acceptance speech at last year’s ceremony.

There were no mainland films in this year’s nomination list after China’s national film board ordered the country’s directors and stars to boycott the event.

Acclaimed Hong Kong director Johnnie To has resigned as head of the jury citing contractual obligations as several Hong Kong films reportedly also dropped out under pressure from Beijing.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2019