Sun, 19 May 2013 19:26 PM (HKT)

AFA nominations headed by Greater China mega titles

AFA nominations headed by Greater China mega titles

By Patrick Frater

Tue, 17 January 2012, 17:15 PM (HKT)

Awards News

Big budget films from Greater China, albeit three very different ones, dominated the nominations for the 2012 edition of the Asian Film Awards. And Iranian drama A Separation Jodaeiye Nader az Simin (2011) continued its run of accolades.

Amassing the biggest haul was Hong Kong-Chinese 3-D action film Flying Swords of Dragon Gate 龍門飛甲 (2011) with seven nominations, just ahead of Christian Bale-starring The Flowers of War 金陵十三釵 (2011) from China, and Taiwanese mega-production Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale 賽德克・巴萊 (2011), with six each. A Separation claimed five nominations and Hong Kong-Chinese actioner Wu Xia 武俠 (2011) four.

The awards will be presented in Hong Kong on 19 Mar 2012 on the eve of the territory's annual film industry convention, Hong Kong FilMart. Prizes will be decided by a jury headed by Singaporean director Eric KHOO 邱金海 (pictured).

The six best film nominees included four foreign language Oscar contenders – Japan's Postcard 一枚のハガキ (2010), China's Flowers, Taiwan's Seediq Bale and Iran's Separation – as well as Hong Kong/China co-production Flying Swords and India's Zindagi na milegi dobara ज़िन्दगी ना मिलेगी दोबारा (2011).

Other Oscar contenders from the region earned fewer AFA nominations; Hong Kong's A Simple Life 桃姐 (2011) collected two, The Philippines The Woman in the Septic Tank Ang babae sa septic tank (2011) two, and South Korea's The Front Line 고지전 (2011) three.

Wilfred WONG 王英偉, chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited 香港國際電影節協會, which organises the awards deviated from his prepared script to say that Asian film has still got some catching up to do compared with Hollywood in technical and story-telling terms. But he praised the diversity of the 32 films which earned nominations across the AFA's 14 categories.

This year's AFA nominations did more than previous editions to embrace Bollywood. Four Indian films (Zindagi, Ra.One र.वन (2011), The Dirty Picture द डर्टी पिक्चर (2011) and Rockstar (2011)) received recognition and earned a combined six nominations. Separately, Vishvajith Karunarathna was nominated as cinematographer of Sri Lankan film Flying Fish Igillena maluwo (2010).

But in recognising commercial success the AFA nominations were significantly out of line with recent international festival selections and awards, which have regularly gone to South East Asian, Japanese and South Korean films.

Of the 72 AFA nominations announced, nine went to five films from Thailand, Indonesia and The Philippines. Six Japanese films scraped together eight nominations. And the AFAs recognised only two films from South Korea, a regional powerhouse of ideas and modernisation for much of the past 15 years, sparing them just four nominations.

It was previously announced that Hong Kong director Ann Hui will receive an AFA lifetime achievement which will also be presented on 19 Mar.

 
ASIAN FILM AWARDS 2012 — COMPLETE NOMINATION LIST

Best Film
・The Flowers of War [China]
・The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate [Hong Kong/China]
・Post Card [Japan]
・A Separation [Iran]
・Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale [Taiwan]
・Zindagi na milegi dobara [India]

Best Director
・Asghar FARHADI for A Separation [Iran]
・Teddy SOERIAATMADJA for Lovely Man (2011) [Indonesia]
・SONO Sion 園子温 for Guilty of Romance 恋の罪 (2011) [Japan]
・TSUI Hark 徐克 for The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate [Hong Kong/China]
・WEI Te-sheng 魏德聖 for Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale [Taiwan]

Best Actor
・CHEN Kun 陳坤 for The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate [Hong Kong/China]
・Donny DAMARA for Lovely Man [Indonesia]
・Andy LAU 劉德華 for A Simple Life [Hong Kong/China]
・PARK Hae-il 박해일 | 朴海日 for War of the Arrows 최종병기 활 (2011) [South Korea]
・YAKUSHO Koji 役所広司 for Chronicle of My Mother わが母の記 (2011) [Japan]

Best Actress
・Vidya BALAN for The Dirty Picture [India]
・Michelle CHEN 陳妍希 for You Are the Apple of My Eye 那些年，我們一起追的女孩。 (2011) [Taiwan]
・Eugene DOMINGO for The Woman in the Septic Tank [Philippines]
・Leila HATAMI for A Separation [Iran]
・Deanie IP 葉德嫻 for A Simple Life [Hong Kong/China]

Best Newcomer
・Kai KO 柯震東 for You Are the Apple of My Eye [Taiwan]
・Eric LIN 林暉閔 for Starry Starry Night 星空 (2011) [Taiwan/China/Hong Kong]
・MAEDA Oshiro 前田旺志郎 for I Wish 奇跡 (2011) [Japan]
・NI Ni 倪妮 for The Flowers of War [China]
・Gita NOVALISTA for The Mirror Never Lies Laut bercermin (2011) [Indonesia]

Best Supporting Actor
・Umin Boya 馬志翔 (aka "Umin Boya") for Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale [Taiwan]
・Lawrence KO 柯宇綸 for Jump Ashin! 翻滾吧！阿信 (2011) [Taiwan]
・LEE Je-hun 이제훈 | 李濟勲 for The Front Line [South Korea]
・Mario MAURER มาริโอ้ เมาเร่อ for The Outrage อุโมงค์ผาเมือง (2011) [Thailand]

Best Supporting Actress
・Sharmaine BUENCAMINO for Niño (2011) [Philippines]
・GWEI Lun-mei 桂綸鎂 for The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate [Hong Kong/China]
・Sirin "Cris" HORWANG ศิริน หอวัง for Headshot ฝนตกขึ้นฟ้า (2011) [Thailand]
・YAN Ni 閆妮 for 11 Flowers 我１１ (2011) [China/France/Hong Kong]

Best Screenwriter
・Asghar FARHADI for A Separation [Iran]
・SHINDO Kaneto 新藤兼人 for Post Card [Japan]
・LIU Heng 劉恆 & YAN Geling 嚴歌苓 for The Flowers of War [China]
・Alan MAK 麥兆輝 & Felix CHONG 莊文強 for Overheard 2 竊聽風雲２ (2011) [Hong Kong/China]
・Chris MARTINEZ for The Woman in the Septic Tank [Philippines]

Best Cinematographer
・CHIN Ting-chang 秦鼎昌 for Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale [Taiwan]
・Vishvajith KARUNARATHNA for Flying Fish [Sri Lanka]
・KIM Wu-hyeong 김우형 for The Front Line [South Korea]
・Jake POLLOCK & LAI Yiu-fai 黎耀輝 for Wu Xia [China]
・Rahmat SYAIFUL for The Mirror Never Lies [Indonesia]

Best Production Designer
・Suzanne CAPLAN MERWANJI for Zindagi na milegi dobara [India]
・RYU Seong-hee 류성희 for The Front Line (South Korea)
・TANEDA Yohei 種田陽平 for Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale [Taiwan]
・YEE Chung-man 奚仲文 & Ben LAU 劉敏雄 for The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate [Hong Kong/China]
・YEE Chung-man & SUN Li 孫立 for Wu Xia [China]

Best Composer
・Comfort CHAN 陳光榮, Peter KAM 金培達 & Chatchai PONGPRAPAPHAN ชาติชาย พงษ์ประภาพันธ์ for Wu Xia [China]
・CHEN Qigang 陳其鋼 for The Flowers of War [China]
・Ricky HO 何國杰 for Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale [Taiwan]
・Rahat Fateh Ali KHAN, A.R. RAHMAN & Neeraj SHRIDHAR for Rockstar [India]
・SAKAMOTO Ryuichi 坂本龍一 for Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai 一命 (2011) [Japan]

Best Editor
・Curran PANG 彭正熙 for Overheard 2 [Hong Kong/China]
・Nelly QUETTIER for 11 Flowers [China/France/Hong Kong]
・Hayedeh SAFIYARI for A Separation [Iran]
・Anand SUBAYA for Zindagi na milegi dobara [India]
・TANG Man-to 鄧文滔 for White Vengeance 鴻門宴傳奇 (2011) [Hong Kong/China]

Best Visual Effects
・Ritesh AGGARWAL for Ra.One [India]
・KAMIYA Makoto 神谷誠 for Gantz ＧＡＮＴＺ (2010) [Japan]
・Wook KIM, Josh COLE & Frankie CHUNG 鍾健強 for The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate [Hong Kong/China]
・XIAO Yang, CHANG Song, A LAW, LEE Ming-hsung & LI Jinhui for Starry Starry Night [Taiwan/China/Hong Kong]
・YUNG Kwok-yin & Andy KANG for Wu Xia [Hong Kong/China]

Best Costume Designer
・AMANO Kyoko & EMURA Kouichi for Milocrorze: A Love Story ミロクローゼ (2011) [Japan]
・William CHANG 張叔平 for The Flowers of War [China]
・MOK Kwan-kit 莫君傑 for White Vengeance [Hong Kong/China]
・Noppadol TECHO for The Outrage [Thailand]
・YEE Chung-man for The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate [Hong Kong/China]

Related Reviews

  1. 11 Flowers | 我１１
    Involving snapshot of childhood set near the end of the Cultural Revolution.
  2. The Dirty Picture | द डर्टी पिक्चर
    Routine rags-to-riches star biopic, set in '80s Madras, with a miscast Vidya Balan.
  3. The Flowers of War | 金陵十三釵
    Good-looking but dramatically weak Nanjing Massacre drama, with a miscast Christian Bale.
  4. Flying Swords of Dragon Gate | 龍門飛甲
    Enjoyably retro swordplay antics, with a superb cast but a weak finale.
  5. The Front Line | 고지전
    Well-written and directed Korean War-is-hell movie is over-long but involvingly played.
  6. Gantz | ＧＡＮＴＺ
    Dull manga adaptation fails to hook on either an action or an emotional level.
  7. Guilty of Romance | 恋の罪
    Sono Sion's black comedy on sex and transgression is bumpy but still entertaining.
  8. Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai | 一命
    Intelligent, precision-made version of the novel, with subtle use of 3-D.
  9. Headshot | ฝนตกขึ้นฟ้า
    A part return to form by director Pen-ek Ratanaruang in an existential crime noir.
  10. I Wish | 奇跡
    Engaging but leisurely portrait of two kids separated by their parents' divorce.
  11. Jump Ashin! | 翻滾吧！阿信
    Follow-your-dream heartwarmer centred on a male gymnast is okay but unoriginal.
  12. Milocrorze: A Love Story | ミロクローゼ
    Visual extravaganza centred on tales of fraught love has little beneath the emperor's clothes.
  13. The Mirror Never Lies | Laut bercermin
    Beautifully shot, low-key drama of a fishing community seen through a young girl's eyes.
  14. Overheard 2 | 竊聽風雲２
    A slicker, but also more conventional, follow-up to the 2009 bugging thriller.
  15. Ra.One | र.वन
    Coldly calculated superhero extravaganza with no heart and even less script.
  16. A Simple Life | 桃姐
    Deanie Ip and Andy Lau make memorable chemistry in the moving story of an amah's final lap.
  17. Starry Starry Night | 星空
    Disappointingly conventional tale of two lonely 13-year-olds, short on charm and drama.
  18. War of the Arrows | 최종병기 활
    Visceral action and strong performances punch up a fairly conventional costume drama.
  19. Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale | 賽德克・巴萊
    International version of the two-part Taiwan epic is watchable but uninvolving, with repetitive action.
  20. White Vengeance | 鴻門宴傳奇
    Impressive costume drama about two warring leaders loses the plot halfway.
  21. The Woman in the Septic Tank | Ang babae sa septic tank
    Satire of festival-friendly, Third World slum dramas is amusing but under-developed.
  22. Wu Xia | 武俠
    Sumptuously shot spin on the costume action genre has good performances but a slightly bumpy script.
  23. You Are the Apple of My Eye | 那些年，我們一起追的女孩。
    Likable but lightweight compendium of high-school romances, well cast and slickly packaged.
  24. Zindagi na milegi dobara | ज़िन्दगी ना मिलेगी दोबारा
    A superior buddy/road movie that's sustained by its performances and likeable ensemble.

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  174. Always and Mother bookend Busan
    Boxing romance to open South Korean festival
  175. Japan sends Postcard to Academy
    Anti-war drama put forward for Foreign Language Oscar
  176. Hawaii announces first Asian titles
    North American premieres of Jump Ashin! and Red Dog
  177. Seediq Bale takes battle to Oscars
    Aborigine war epic is Taiwan's Academy Awards submission
  178. London festival finds plenty to admire
    New season contenders side by side with 2011 favourites
  179. Tucker opts for Simple Life
    Italian distributor expands Asian slate
  180. Summer sizzles at HK box office
    Releases tumble as blockbusters dominate
  181. Tsui is Asian Filmmaker of the Year
    Busan festival is latest to pay tribute to HK director and producer
  182. Venice bends in nationality row
    Festival changes Seediq Bale label, but diplomatic rumblings continue
  183. Chronicle wins Montreal prize
    Wins for Japan's Harada Masato and Zeze Takahisa
  184. Apple still ripe at Taipei BO
    Giddens joins Taiwan's 100 million club
  185. South Korea names Oscar contender
    Leading film nation has never had Award nomination
  186. Busan unveils competition section
    New Currents set to demonstrate "amazing aesthetics"
  187. Apple has bumper crop at Taipei BO
    Giddens' youth drama is Taiwan's newest blockbuster
  188. Toronto adds Masters, Discoveries
    Six Asia titles expand festival
  189. Arirang, Arrives bow at CinDi
    Seoul digital festival enters fifth year
  190. Flying Swords joins IMAX rush
    Giant screen version to show in 3-D
  191. Apple, Apes and Ashin lead Taipei BO
    You are the Apple of My Eye crosses NT$10m during week of previews
  192. Warriors fights its way into French territory
    Taiwanese epic adds sales deal
  193. Asian selections burnish Toronto lineup
    India, Oz, Japan make strong showings in Gala and World sections
  194. Asia Cinema Fund backs diverse slate
    Busan support mechanism unveils projects
  195. Asia dominates Fantasia prize list
    Montreal fantasy festival hot for Japanese films
  196. Japanese pair premiere in Montreal
    World Film Festival keeps its options wide open
  197. UK sale for Seediq Bale
    Taiwan epic get new title, pre-premiere deal
  198. Taiwan protests Venice label
    Seediq Bale at heart of nationality dispute
  199. Asian quintet to play Venice
    Japan, Taiwan, China, HK represented
  200. San Seb selects Asian pair
    Spanish festival also holds Chinese retrospective
  201. Toronto to showcase Asian premieres
    Festival includes Countdown, Flowers, Life, Lady, Hunter
  202. Comedy tickles Cinemalaya jury
    Septic Tank is major winner in Manila
  203. HK sets tone for Summer
    Supplementary festival opens with Apple
  204. Island closing gap with Wu Xia
    Horror/thriller is number two at China box office
  205. Wu Xia has RMB100m China opening
    Mysterious Island is first surprise hit of the summer
  206. Love and Honey favoured in Taipei
    Documentaries are biggest winners of the evening
  207. Familiar Grounds rewarded in Taipei
    Taiwan's You are the Apple of My Eye wins audience prize
  208. Zhang wraps Nanking movie
    Christian Bale starring war drama set for Dec release
  209. Wu Xia sets out Asia battle plan
    Martial arts action film readies pan-regional releasing campaign
  210. He reveals secret cost of co-productions
    Chinese film-maker gets reaction from bloggers, gov't
  211. Shanghai has starry opening
    Feng Xiaogang and Susan Sarandon honoured
  212. Yellow Box lands Bale and Bait
    Singapore sound studio secures high-profile Asian features
  213. ScreenSingapore's red carpet unrolls
    Chinese stars brings glamour to opening night
  214. NYAFF reveals anniversary lineup
    New York festival includes tributes to wu xia films, Korean thrillers and Taiwan's Su Chao-pin
  215. Balan, Shah in the frame for Dirty Picture
    Sexy biopic shoots from next week
  216. Zhang sets heroic budget for Heroes
    East West tale has something for everyone
  217. Seediq Bale partners with Fortissimo
    Aborigine epic locks some Asian territories
  218. Zhang's Nanjing epic finds sales company
    FilmNation to handle Christian Bale war movie
  219. Cannes announces minor-key Asian line-up
    Official Selection includes two Japanese, three Korean titles
  220. Nippon Connection celebrates diversity
    Highlights include Sono Sion retrospective
  221. Chinese film still a cottage industry
    Panel discussion laments lack of institutional experience
  222. RKO classics offered for remake
    Asian versions of studio titles encouraged
  223. Mei Ah gives Palace royal treatment
    Mysterious Island set for May release
  224. Foreign directors make China inroads
    Little Big Panda and Dragon Pearl at Filmart
  225. Lau and Ip reunite for Sister Peach
    Production now underway
  226. Huayi has high hopes for hefty slate
    Production lineup includes prequels, 'greater China' talent
  227. Love in Space blasts off
    Fox-backed sequel starts shooting in HK
  228. Oscar nominations divide Asia
    Foreign-lang disappointment, but talent and sales score
  229. Production underway on Zhang's Flowers
    Nanjing-set epic features Bale, top tech crew
  230. Zhang brings Bale back to China
    Hollywood star to appear in $90m Flowers of War
  231. Wild Side takes shot at Headshot
    Thai film noir finds Cannes-ready home
  232. Seediq Bale sets Sep 2011 campaign
    Two-part aborigine epic picked up by CMC Entertainment
  233. HHH calculates 10+10=100
    Taiwan anniversary omnibus to feature 20 directors
  234. Grammar gains Tokyo prize
    Chinese language films score strongly
  235. Tsui has fun with Catching Monkey
    3-D thriller stars Charlie Young and Yu Nan
  236. Tokyo has stellar opening
    Fujiwara Norika, Kim Yoon-jin and Catherine Deneuve walk green carpet
  237. Li, Tsui reunite for new Dragon picture
    Production underway on 3-D martial arts action film
  238. Rahman delays Jhootha release
    Suicide comedy romance built around music
  239. Tokyo reveals rich lineup
    Final film by Shindo Kaneto added to Competition
  240. Taiwan's FTPP declares 25
    Golden Horse's project market announces lineup
  241. Tokyo Project Gathering Hosts Host Sequel
    Co-production market emphasises Japanese and Korean cinema
  242. Sonata awarded best film at Thai Oscars
    October Sonata, Slice and Nymph win the most prizes
  243. Critics Assembly applauds Sonata
    Romantic melodrama October Sonata almost sweeps Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards