“Farewell My Concubine” director Chen Kaige, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” star Zhang Ziyi and director John Woo were among the filmmakers honored at China's government-organized Huabiao film awards in Beijing. Veteran action stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li and actor Chow Yun-fat also walked the red carpet at the biennial awards ceremony held by China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television late Saturday. This year's ceremony was especially star-studded because the booming mainland market is becoming increasingly lucrative to actors and directors from Hong Kong and Taiwan. The awards have a reputation for honoring propaganda films but have incorporated commercial cinema. Chen was named outstanding director along with Feng Xiaogang. Chen was honored for his biopic of late Peking Opera star Mei Lanfang, “Forever Enthralled.” Feng won for his war movie “Assembly,” which revolves around the heroics of a People's Liberation Army unit during the Chinese civil war in the 1940s. Zhang shared best actress honors with Fan Zhibo for her performance as Mei's love interest in “Forever Enthralled.” Fan won for the drama “Emergency.” Zhang Hanyu won best actor for “Assembly.” He shared best acting honors with Guo Jinglin, who starred in a biopic of rice scientist Yuan Longping.
