"Curse of the Golden Flower" and "The Banquet" have been selected to be China and Hong Kong's entry, respectively, for Oscar's Best Foreign Film category.
- October 3, 2006
AceShowbiz -
Joining the competition to land a slot for Oscar's Best Foreign Film category, China and Hong Kong have finally announced their entry for the upcoming prestigious event.
Chinese news Web site Sina.com reported that China's Film Bureau has picked up "Curse of the Golden Flower" to represent the country in the competition. Directed by "Hero" helmer Zhang Yimou with Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li as the leadstars, the picture follows the love story between a royal prince played by Chow and an imperial bodyguard portrayed by Gong set in medieval time in China.
Meanwhile, Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong, through its chairman Crucindo Hung, has revealed that the committee ultimately cast its choice on "The Banquet" to be the territory's candidate this time. Featuring Zhang Ziyi in the lead role, the movie is a directorial work of Feng Xiaogang set in an empire in chaos.
All movies submitted will be selected thoroughly by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to determine the five nominees of the category. The announcement will be made on January 23, 2007 while the Oscar ceremony itself will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California by the following month.
