HK director quits Taiwan film awards jury in apparent China boycott

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/09/19
By: Hung Chien-lun and Miao Zong-han

Taipei, Sept. 19 (CNA) Hong Kong film director Johnnie To (杜琪峯) has resigned as head of the jury for

the 56th Golden Horse Awards due to previously signed film production contractual obligations, the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee said in a notice Thursday.

To's resignation came after a boycott by Beijing led to the pullout of Chinese and Hong Kong films and personnel from this year's Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards and sparked speculations in the media about China's gross interference in Taiwan affairs behind the scenes.

However, the festival committee declined to comment on the speculations, saying they can only respond to the content of To's resignation letter.

To said he was resigning mainly because of the constraints of film production contracts he had already signed, according to the committee.    [FULL  STORY]