Golden Horse Awards: Romantic comedy and veteran actress win big at Chinese-language 'Oscars'

Chen Shu-fang, 81, took home both the Best Supporting and Best Leading Actress awards

Taiwanese actors Chen Shu-fang, left, and Mo Tzu-yi hold their awards for Best Leading Actress and Best Leading Actor at the 57th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei, Taiwan. AP

A veteran actress and a romantic comedy stole the limelight at this year's Golden Horse Awards, the Chinese-speaking world's version of the Oscars, in Taiwan on Saturday.

My Missing Valentine, a Taiwanese film about a post office worker who wakes up to discover Valentine's Day has passed without her knowing, won five awards, including Best Film and Best Director.

But it was veteran Taiwan actress Chen Shu-fang, 81 and in the business for more than six decades, who possibly got the warmest reception.

She won for two different films, getting Best Supporting Actress for Dear Tenant and Best Leading Actress for Little Big Women, both complex family dramas.

Not only had she never won before, she had never been nominated for the prize previously.

"Even if I can no longer walk, I want the director to write a wheelchair role for me," Chen said.

Last year, China's film regulator blocked the country's film industry from participating in the Taiwan-hosted awards, which were founded in 1962 and take place every year.

This move came after the event caused an uproar in 2018 in China and among Chinese stars at the ceremony when Taiwanese director Fu Yue made comments in support of Taiwan's formal independence.

This year's Golden Horse awards were held in front of a full, mask-wearing audience, one of the first awards held with a crowd amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Several high-profile stars, including Taiwan-born Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, had to first complete mandatory 14-day quarantines, after having flown into Taiwan for the ceremony.