HOLLYWOOD CHINESE, an exploration of the Chinese in American feature films, captured the Best Documentary Award at the Golden Horse Awards on December 8, 2007. Often referred to as the Chinese equivalent of the Oscars®,” The Golden Horse Awards are the most prestigious honors in Asia for Chinese-language cinema, covering categories modeled after those for the Academy Awards®. Although not technically a Chinese-language film, HOLLYWOOD CHINESE met special qualifications including requirements for content, cast, and crew. The feature-length film was also screened as one of two opening night films at the 44th Golden Horse International Film Festival that culminated in the gala awards ceremonies.

Arthur Dong, Academy Award®-nominee and triple Sundance Award-winning director of HOLLYWOOD CHINESE, says, “My experience at the Golden Horse events was extraordinary. To begin with, to be the first documentary ever selected to open the festival was a strong message to Asia and Chinese-speaking audiences that documentaries are a genre that’s not only important but also entertaining. And then, for jurors to recognize a Chinese American production with an award for films traditionally from Asia was an honor that I’m personally proud of -- I’ve known about the Golden Horse since I was a kid growing up in San Francisco Chinatown and never imagined I’d actually receive one myself!”

Other Golden Horse honorees this year were Ang Lee's Lust Caution, with seven wins including best feature, best director, best actor and best adapted screenplay by Wang Hui-ling & James Schamus. The Home Song Stories took best actress for Joan Chen's performance and best original screenplay. Both Lee and Chen are featured in HOLLYWOOD CHINESE and were among those attending the star-studded event held at the 15,000 seat Taipei Arena.

In addititon to Ang Lee and Joan Chen, HOLLYWOOD CHINESE also features Turhan Bey, Tsai Chin, James Hong, David Henry Hwang, Nancy Kwan, Christopher Lee, Justin Lin, Lisa Lu, Luise Rainer, James Shigeta, Amy Tan, Wayne Wang, and B.D. Wong. The film had its international premiere at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and is scheduled for theatrical release in the spring of 2008.

For a complete list of Golden Horse winners, please visit www.goldenhorse.org.tw/gh_main/gh/gh-e-5.aspx

For more information on HOLLYWOOD CHINESE, please visit www.hollywoodchinese.com

Photo Caption: Director Arthur Dong poses with his award after winning the Best Documentary for HOLLYWOOD CHINESE at the 44th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei December 8, 2007. Photo courtesy of DeepFocus Productions, Inc.