Rumors cleared on Best Actress Zhao Wei
(Shenzhen Daily)
Updated: 2005-06-22 15:46

Wu Tianming, chairman of the jury panel of the Eighth Shanghai International Film Festival, dismissed rumors surrounding Zhao Wei's winning the best actress award soon after the ceremony.

Mainland actress Zhao Wei greets the audience while being awarded the Best Actress at the eighth Shanghai International Film Festival. [newsphoto]

Wu Tianming, chairman of the jury panel of the Eighth Shanghai International Film Festival, rejected rumors surrounding Zhao Wei's winning the best actress award soon after the ceremony.

At Sunday's ceremony, when Zhao was crowned best actress for the film "A Time to Love," catcalls soon arose from the audience and Zhao made no acknowledgement to the public.

Afterwards, no press conference was held, contrary to what the festival had done in previous years.

"The choice of Zhao is indisputable because all seven jury members voted for her. She did a good job, and I think it was the best performance she has ever done," Wu said.

The jury's comments regarding Zhao were as follows: "We first noticed her beauty before we recognized her sensitivity and her intelligence as an actress. It is a challenge for any actor or actress to interpret a character from an earlier era. Through her sparkling eyes, a great spectrum of sentiments was expressed."

"The results of the festival were determined through voting and there was no so-called ‘inside story' by the media," Wu added.

"Disputes are unavoidable, since everyone has his or her own opinions. Being the chairman of the jury panel, I respect every juror's personal opinion," said Wu.

Not saying a word at the ceremony, Zhao at last expressed her feelings to the public Monday: "I felt calm and cheerful, and winning the prize makes me more interested in performing. I should thank the director Huo Jianqi because it is he who let me bring my performance skills into full play."

Wu also indirectly commented on other films in this year's festival, such as "Gimme Kudos," the Jury Prix winner, which was only one score lower than the Japanese movie "The Village Album" that won the award for best film.

He expressed certain reservations regarding the festival results: "Some of the films selected are just so-so and a few do not meet the requirements of the festival at all."

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