A movie about Taiwan’s martial law period has won Best Picture at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards, one of the most important film awards for Chinese-language films.
The film, called A Foggy Tale, received 11 nominations and took home the top prize on Saturday. It tells the story of a young girl who tries to bring back her brother’s body after he was executed during Taiwan’s martial law period. This period, known as the “White Terror,” lasted from 1949 to 1987 and was marked by strict political control and repression.
The story of A Foggy Tale is emotional and personal. Its focus on family and loss during a difficult time in Taiwan’s history impressed both critics and the public. The movie shows how ordinary people suffered under harsh political rules while highlighting the courage of those who resisted.
Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, praised the film. He said it shows how Taiwan’s democracy allows different stories and opinions to exist freely. He added, “As long as there is freedom, more great films will be born.”
At the same awards, Chinese actress Fan Bingbing won the Best Actress award for her role in Mother Bhumi, a Malaysian film. She played a spiritual healer and exorcist. Fan was not in Taiwan to receive the award but spoke on the phone after the director called her on stage. This marked a return for Fan, who had stayed away from public life in China after legal troubles and a fine for tax issues in 2018.
The Golden Horse Awards are known for being independent of China’s government control. China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and stopped participating in the awards in 2019. Despite this, the awards still celebrate Chinese-language films, including those that cannot be shown in China.
The victory of A Foggy Tale shows that films about Taiwan’s past continue to resonate with audiences. It also highlights the country’s growing film industry and freedom of expression.
