NEW DELHI: The Malaysia-Singapore co-production The Era of Farewell has won the Grand Prize at the Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (FPP) in Taipei.
Based on the novel by Li Zi Shu, Era is the multi-generational tale of a gang boss's wife who fights for her own independence. Director Adric Chong receives a NT$1 million (US$32,300) cash prize.
Juror Lee Lieh said that although Chong's original treatment was problematic, he was awarded based on the strength of his short films and a revised synopsis. The film, budgeted at US$1.6 million, has yet to secure any financing.
Three films won two prizes: Midi Z's The Road to Mandalay, Maisy Choi’s Have a Nice Trip and Kuo Cheng-chui's For?t Debussy.
Mandalay, about illegal immigrants in Bangkok, won two prizes: The Pixelfly Digital Award and the inaugural Taipei New Horizon Screenplay Award, valued at NT$400,000 (US$12,900). It has raised US$100,000 of its US$750,000 budget.
Trip — about four elderly relatives visiting Japan — won The Hualien International Most Potential and Creative Award, valued at NT$300,000 (US$9,700), and the Modern Cinema Laboratory Award. Budgeted at US$1.85 million, it is produced by Hong Kong's Amy Chin and Stanley Kwan.
France-Taiwan co-production Debussy — about a mother and daughter who flee into a forest to escape a media scandal — won the CNC Cash Award and the TMPC Award. The CNC prize, valued at €10,000 (US$12,500) is for projects that have potential as French co-productions.
Jenny Lu's UK-Taiwan co-production The Receptionist won the Central Pictures Corporation Award for post-production. 2 Love Stories about Liang Liang, which has no director officially attached, won the CPC's award for pre-production.
Both Debussy and Receptionist are also recipients of government production subsidies that were announced by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture in July.
Farewell the Good Old Days is set to be directed by Hong Kong's Kevin CHU Ka-wang and Judy CHU — the duo behind indie drama I Sell Love — picked up the Moneff Award. The film will be Judy Chu's directorial debut.
Singapore's A Small Place won the 3H Sound Studio Award. Packages from Daddy won the LAPCC Award. Notes of a Desolate Man, based on a novel by Chu Tien-wen, won the Arrow Award.
