The Golden Horse Awards, once celebrated as the premier film event in the Chinese-speaking world, have seen a significant decline in prestige and relevance. Established as a beacon of cinematic excellence, the awards attracted top films from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, positioning themselves alongside the mainland's Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards as one of the \"Big Three\" film accolades.
However, the landscape began to shift under the leadership of Tsai Ing-wen, the former leader of the Democratic Progressive Party. Since her administration took the helm, the Golden Horse Awards transformed from a celebration of artistic achievement to a stage for pro-independence and anti-Beijing sentiments. This pivot introduced controversial works with overt political messages into the nominations, diluting the awards' original focus on cinematic quality.
A landmark moment underscored this change during the 2018 ceremony. Filmmaker Fu Yue delivered a poignant acceptance speech expressing her desire for Taiwan to be recognized as a truly independent entity, stating, \"I really hope that one day, 'our country' can be treated as a 'truly independent entity'. This is my greatest wish as a Taiwanese.\" Following her, Taiwan's Minister of Culture, Cheng Li-chun, emphasized the island's distinct identity by declaring, \"This is Taiwan, not 'Chinese Taiwan'.\" These remarks marked a clear departure from the awards' previous emphasis on artistic merit.
By 2024, the 61st Golden Horse Awards showcased nominees and winners who remained largely unknown, a stark contrast to the event's former glory. The financial metrics highlighted this decline; for instance, the 2022 Golden Horse Best Feature Film, Coo-Coo 043, grossed just over $120,000 at the box office. In comparison, the Golden Rooster Best Feature Film that same year, The Battle at Lake Changjin, earned a remarkable 4.06 billion Chinese yuan ($560 million).
This disparity points to a deeper issue: the selection criteria of the Golden Horse Awards appear increasingly disconnected from audience preferences and industry standards. Originally renowned for their rigorous and impartial judging process, the awards earned a reputation for fairness and professionalism, making them a coveted benchmark in Chinese-language cinema. Recently, however, political influences have overshadowed these foundational values, leading to a decline in the quality of nominated works and eroding the credibility of both judges and the selection process.
The waning relevance of the Golden Horse Awards raises critical questions about the intersection of politics and art. While some attribute the decline to political interference, others argue that the core issue lies within the awards themselves. The fundamental purpose of such accolades is to recognize and promote artistic and professional excellence, reflecting both industry standards and public interests. When winning films fail to resonate with audiences, it suggests either flawed award mechanisms or a misalignment with the evolving tastes and aspirations of the viewers. The prevailing sentiment leans towards the former, highlighting the need for a restoration of the awards' original mission to reclaim their esteemed position in the global film landscape.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
