HONG KONG: Iranian film “The Separation” was the stand out picture at the Asian Film Awards on Monday, winning top prizes including best film and best director, while China took home six gongs.

The only nomination that it did not win was in the best actress category, which went to Hong Kong's veteran actress Deanie Ip for her role as a loyal servant in the film “A Simple Life”.

“This is an absolute honour,” The Separation's lead actress Leila Hatami said as she received the best film award on behalf of director Asghar Farhadi who was absent.

“I want to say a very sincere thank you,” Hatami, who was clad in a black Islamic headscarf, told the crowd at the glitzy ceremony in Hong Kong's harbourside convention centre late Monday.

“A Separation” presents a social expose of the Islamic republic behind the veneer of a taut family drama, while exploring themes of love, lies and honour.

The movie begins with a reluctant divorce bid by a couple, but broadens out as they find themselves in a separate legal dispute with another couple following a tragic event at home.

Indonesian actor Donny Damara sprung a surprise by winning the best actor award for his role as a transvestite sex worker confronted by his teenage daughter, in a story that was shot in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

“I dedicate this award to all Indonesian films,” the overjoyed 45-year-old -- who had to learn how to walk with high-heels for his role in the film -- told reporters.

Chinese films dominated the ceremony, winning six of the 14 awards, including Ni Ni for best newcomer in Nanjing Massacre film “The Flowers of War”, the country's biggest box office smash of the past year.

The historical drama also starred Oscar-winning British actor Christian Bale playing an American mortician who posed as a priest to protect women during the Japanese army's invasion of Nanjing, China.—AFP