Following China's travel ban to Taiwan, there were reports that the China Film Administration has banned PRC films and actors from participating in the 56th Golden Horse Film Festival. The festival's Executive Committee says if the news is true, it would be very regrettable. However, it will not affect any festival activities. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Kolas Yotaka, meanwhile, says politics should not be used to oppress the arts and it's China's loss if it won't attend the Golden Horse Awards.
I hope our country can one day be regarded and treated as a truly independent entity.
Politics cast a pall over the 55th Golden Horse Awards. After Fu Yue's acceptance speech struck political nerves, PRC actress Gong Li failed to appear on stage to present an award. Gong was the chair of the Golden Horse jury that year. With cross-strait relations having continued to deteriorate over the past year, there are now reports the China Film Administration has banned PRC films and actors from taking part in this year's Golden Horse Film Festival.
For any director, entertainer or actor from China that for any political reason is unwilling to come to Taiwan to participate is, in our opinion, China's loss. Taiwan will not interfere with any entertainer's political stance because politics are politics and the arts are the arts.
In a statement, the festival's Executive Committee said it would be regrettable if the news were true but all events would be held as scheduled. The committee also said it would not have further comment on any PRC film withdrawals before the press conference announcing this year's nominees. Director Wu Nien-jen, who was the chair of the jury two years ago, says he isn't surprised by China's actions.
In this kind of political atmosphere, they would definitely have this kind of response. These creators will of course worry about the effect on their careers, etc., etc. They have their own considerations.
Some industry insiders say it is regrettable that PRC films can't take part this year but Taiwan is a democratic, open and diverse society and the door of the Golden Horse Awards has never been closed. They also expressed hopes that politics and film can exist independently.