Ang Lee says China boycott of Taiwan awards show a loss

Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee says China’s boycott of Taiwan’s Golden Horse film awards demonstrates how politics can harm the arts.

Beijing’s order to give Saturday night’s awards show the cold shoulder is part of its campaign to rachet up economic and political pressure on the island it claims as its own territory.

Lee said politics was “an aspect we do not want to see. But we have to face it because we live in this world.”

Regarding the films at the festival, he said, “Everybody knows it, it is indeed a loss.”

China’s ban, announced in August, was an expression of its displeasure following last year’s ceremony when documentary director Fu Yue called on the world to recognize Taiwan as an independent country.

China held its own film awards Saturday.