As China's movie industry is expecting its 100 anniversary in 2005, this year's film gala seems to shoulder more responsibilities in promoting Chinese movies toward a brighter future.

Two of China's most prestigious film awards, the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers were delivered in this capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Sunday evening, attracting stars and moviemakers not only from China, but the rest of the world.

Zhang Ziyi, starring in the film "Jasmine Women", has won the best leading actress of the 24th China Golden Rooster Award. Though not able to be present at the scene, she managed calling back to express her excitement upon hearing the news.

"I feel grateful that China's movie industry has shown signs of recognizing young professionals," Zhang said over the phone.

Zhang, the actress who starred in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", is now shooting the "Memoirs of a Geisha" in the United States.

"Jasmine Women" tells the story of one family's struggle to overcome its tragic history, as its three daughters repeat the mistakes of their mother. Zhang plays all the three daughters, who reveal a competing tactic in the film.

The best feature film goes to "Shanghai Story", which centered on a family in Shanghai in the 1960s when the Cultural Revolution broke out and the four children were scattered. The family finally reunited when their mother is suddenly hospitalized. However, they can no longer get along well with each other due to the distinct experiences after separation.

Feng Yuanzheng, the best supporting actor of "Shanghai Story", said that he didn't expect such a film that was known to a few people can arouse the appraisal committee's attention, posing an artistic attitude toward the whole industry.

The most disputed film "House of Flying Daggers" directed by Chinese director Zhang Yimou only took the best art award, won by Huo Tingxiao, who is also the art designer of the "Farewell My Concubine", which won the Golden Palm Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1992, "The Emperor and the Assassin", which won the Best Art Contribution Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and "Hero", which won the 22th Hong Kong Award for Best Art Director.

"Chinese films have become popular among Korean people since we have shown about 20 Chinese films in this year's Gwangju International Film Festival in Korea," said Pock-Rey Cho, a film critic from the Republic of Korea who has brought "Chihwaseon", the best director winner in the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

"The world film industry cannot live without Chinese films, which represent a totally different culture from the west. So, to revitalize the domestic industry as well as to maintain its own characters will be the major tasks for Chinese movies," said Zhong Chengxiang, the chairman of the Golden Rooster Award appraisal committee.

Source: Xinhua