CANBERRA, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has revealed on Thursday the films nominated for this year's AACTA Award for Best Asian Film, including three Chinese films: Dying to Survive, Youth, and The Bold, the Corrupt and the Beautiful.
Dying to Survive is a black comedy based on the real-life story of a Chinese leukemia patient who smuggled cancer medicine from India for other Chinese cancer patients. According to AACTA, it is the second highest-grossing film across the world on its opening weekend and the third highest-grossing film at the Chinese box office in 2018.
Youth, coming-of-age drama which is the 6th highest-grossing domestic film of 2017 in China, chronicles the lives of a group of young people from a military troupe in the People's Liberation Army during the Cultural Revolution. It is the best film in the 12th Asian Film Awards.
The Bold, the Corrupt and the Beautiful was a crime drama from China's Taiwan which won the 54th Golden Horse Award in 2017. It was about a woman, Madame Tang, who is an antique dealer doing trade with high ranking government officials and the rich. But her life was disrupted when the family of her close friend is murdered.
A total of nine nominees were announced. The rest six are 1987 When The Day Comes from South Korea, Gali Guleiyan from India, Newton from India, Sanju from India, Shoplifters from Japan and Tombiruo from Malaysia.
"We are thrilled to see another incredible line-up of nominees for the Best Asian Film Award," said AFI/AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. "Not only have these nine films seen incredible success in their home countries, but they have also been critical and commercial hits here in Australia and abroad. We are proud to honor these world-class films and recognize the incredible work of our neighboring Asian film industries."
In the last 12 months, Asian films have contributed 36 million Australian dollars (about 25.5 million U.S. dollars) to the Australian box office.
Eureka International Group (EIG) is presenting partner for the Best Asian Film Award. "We are excited to see such a wonderful slate of films nominated, representing regions from all around Asia," said EIG Chairman Kelvin Dong.
The winner will be determined by the jury led by Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe who returns as president.
Chinese screenwriter Liu Yi is among the jury. His film, the Wolf Warrior II, is the most commercially successful Asian film in history, grossing 1 billion Australian dollars (about 709.5 million U.S. dollars) in China in a fortnight.
The winner of the Award will be announced on Dec. 5. Enditem
