The Critics' Choice Awards Asian Film and TV Gala kicked off in Hollywood
News Agency reporter Maggie Ma reports in Los Angeles
The Celebration Of Asian Pacific Cinema & Television, hosted by the Critics Choice Awards organizer, took place in Hollywood on November 4. This is also the first time that Asian American and Asian film and television artists currently active in Hollywood and their work have been recognized. More than 30 outstanding Asians including 93-year-old veteran Chinese movie star James Hong, Pixar animation director Domee Shi, South Korean directors Park Chan-wook and Dong-hyuk Hwang, Korean actor John Cho, Japanese director Karyn Kusama and Chinese actor Li Jun Li were honored at the ceremony.
Judges' Choice Awards are selected by more than 500 film and television critics from the United States and are held in January every year and are an important weather vane for the Oscars. In recent years, the organization has expanded its membership from diverse ethnic backgrounds and celebrated filmmakers of different ethnicities, with African-American, Hispanic and Asian themed celebrations. The event was also strongly supported by many film and television companies and the Entertainment Asia Pacific Alliance (CAPE).
Janet Yang, chairman of the Oscar jury, delivered a speech and said: "I am very happy to see that the efforts of so many Asian film and television workers have finally been recognized. ”
93-year-old veteran Chinese film star Wu Hanzhang has participated in more than 600 film and television works in Hollywood in his lifetime, witnessing the change of Asian status in Hollywood. He said: "When I first came to the United States, all walks of life here were reluctant to accept immigrants, and after graduation, I planned to work as an engineer but switched to a comedy because I liked acting, and Hollywood at that time actually began to accept me to play small Asian roles in some movies, but they didn't remember my name, they only called me yellow. Now that I can participate in this festival, it is really very happy to see so many Asian American workers who are active in Hollywood below. Wu Hanzhang also said that if it were not for his wife's care and support, he would not be where he is today, so he specially called his wife up from the audience, handed her the trophy, and said, "The trophy has half of yours." Even at the age of 93, Wu Hanzhang is still healthy, articulate and full of humor. He even participated in the hit sci-fi action film "Everything Everywhere All At Once" this year, and wore the rubber gloves in the film to accept the award, saying: "I still have to help with the promotion of the movie!" ”
South Korean director Park Chan-wook is also a well-respected filmmaker at home and abroad, and this year he directed and wrote "Decision to Leave," starring Tang Wei, and will represent South Korea in the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. He said at the ceremony that his films often dissect the ugly content of human nature, and will continue to show the unbearable, fragile, and even cheesy side of Koreans in the language of cinema in the future, and hope that the Korean people will not mind. But he also said that of course, the beauty of Asia will be further promoted to the rest of the world.
Shi Zhiyu, director of Pixar's animation "Turning Red", said: "Who would have thought that Disney would agree to me to make a story about a Chinese girl turning into a red panda? In such times, Asian culture is finally spread and represented in films. Another Disney-produced series "Ms. Marvel" that was honored at the ceremony is the first superhero story based on Pakistani culture adapted by Marvel Comics, and the heroine is also Pakistani-American, and the play also presents Pakistani culture with weddings, food, costumes and other content. Next, Chinese actor Li Lijun will be awarded the Best Breakthrough Award at the ceremony for playing against Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and other big stars in Paramount's song blockbuster "Babylon" at the end of the year, she said: "I really didn't expect to be able to share the stage with so many excellent actors in big productions before, and I hope that the emphasis on Asian filmmakers is not just a short-term trend, but more people can get the opportunity." Cambodian actress Elodie Yung said excitedly: "I starred in The Cleaning Lady, a TV series featuring a Cambodian immigrant mother, which is currently available on Fox, the main TV station in the United States, and has been renewed, which really surprised me and thanked the Asian community for its support." ”
This year's awards season, "Instant Universe", "Determination to Break Up" (South Korea) and "Metamorphosis of Youth" (Pixar) will compete for the Oscars for Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh), Best Foreign Language Film and Best Animated Feature Film respectively.
