'Better Days' represents HKSAR to compete for the Oscars in 2021
Updated 21:14, 27-Nov-2020
CGTN
Director Derek Kwok-cheung Tsang (R1), actress Zhou Dongyu (R2) and actor Jackson Yee (L2) pose for a photo in Shanghai, June 16, 2019. /CFP

Director Derek Kwok-cheung Tsang (R1), actress Zhou Dongyu (R2) and actor Jackson Yee (L2) pose for a photo in Shanghai, June 16, 2019. /CFP

Director Derek Kwok-cheung Tsang's romantic crime "Better Days" will represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to compete for the 93rd Academy Awards for the Best International Feature Film in April 2021, announced the Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong on Friday.

According to the federation, its board of directors selected the nominee from films released from October 2019 to December 2020 in Hong Kong, with "Better Days" winning the majority of votes.

Starring Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee, "Better Days" tells a couple of teenagers supporting each other in the face of school bullying and impoverished family condition before the heroine successfully attending Gaokao or the National College Entrance Examination.

The film garnered 1.5 billion yuan ($220 million) in the box office 45 days after it was released in the Chinese mainland in October 2019, making it into the top ten highest-grossing films of the year.

At the 39th Hong Kong Film Awards held earlier in May, it took home eight awards, including the best film, best director, best actress, and best new performer.
And during the ongoing 33rd Golden Rooster Awards, one of China's top film awards, "Better Days" led the lineup by claiming 11 nominations, including the best feature film, best director, best actress, and best actor.