Hong Kong filmmaker Derek Chiu’s No. 1 Chung Ying Street was awarded the Grand Prix at the close of this year’s Osaka Asian Film Festival (March 9-18).
Co-written by Chiu and Tse Ngo Sheung, the film juxtaposes two time periods in Hong Kong – the 1967 riots between pro-Communists and the British colonial government, and the 2014 Umbrella Movement, when students took to the streets to protest changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system.
The jury said: “What impressed us about No. 1 Chung Ying Street is how personally it affected us and provoked our emotions deeply, and we feel emotionally connected to the young people in this powerful and brave movie. It’s definitely an important film for our generation.”
Meanwhile, the Most Promising Talent Award went to the Philippines’ Mikhail Red for Neomanila, while Japan’s Shuna Iijima took best actress for her role in Bad Poetry Tokyo.
The ABC award was presented to Taiwanese comedy drama Take Me To The Moon, directed by Hsieh Chun-Yi and starring Jasper Liu and Vivian Sung. The Yakushi Pearl Award went to actress Ryza Cenon for her role in Mr. and Mrs. Cruz, directed by the Philippines’ Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo.
Moet Hayami’s Kushina, What Will You Be took the Japan Cuts Award, while Cycle-Cycle, directed by Japan’s Junichi Kanai, was presented with the Housen Short Film Award. Hong Kong director Pang Ho-cheung’s romantic comedy Love Off The Cuff was the winner of the audience award.