Editor's note: Wang Yan, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a senior specialist from Beijing Foreign Studies University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

As the longest-running film awards in the Chinese-speaking world, the Golden Horse Awards were once an illustrious event with the participation of films from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland as well. At its peak, it was considered one of the "Big Three" awards in the Chinese film world, alongside the mainland's Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards and the Hong Kong Film Awards. Winning a Golden Horse was not only a symbol of artistic excellence but also a stepping stone to box-office success.

However, this illustrious legacy began to falter when former leader of the Democratic Progressive Party Tsai Ing-wen came at the helm. Since her administration, the Golden Horse Awards shifted from being a celebration of cinematic artistry to a platform for pro-"independence" and anti-Beijing sentiments. Controversial works with clear political overtones found their way into nominations, diluting the awards' original focus.

A pivotal moment occurred during the 2018 ceremony, when filmmaker Fu Yue used her acceptance speech to declare her separatist aspirations, stating, "I really hope that one day, 'our country' can be treated as a 'truly independent entity'. This is my greatest wish as a Taiwanese."

Not to be outdone, Taiwan's then "Minister of Culture" Cheng Li-chun added her own dramatic flourish: "This is Taiwan, not 'Chinese Taiwan'." And just like that, what once stood as a symbol of artistic brilliance spiraled into a shadow of its former self, increasingly alienated from its original purpose and audience.

Fast forward to 2024, the 61st Golden Horse Awards nominees and winners were largely unknown names. Box-office performance has always been the lifeline of the film industry, reflecting not just the quality of a film but also its ability to capture the spirit of the times and its resonance with the public.

The numbers related to the awarded films speak volumes about the Golden Horse's dwindling relevance. The 2022 Golden Horse Best Feature Film, Coo-Coo 043, grossed a little over $120,000 at the box office. By contrast, the same year's Golden Rooster Best Feature Film, The Battle at Lake Changjin, amassed a staggering 4.06 billion Chinese yuan ($560 million). This stark disparity underscores a deeper issue with the selection criteria of the awards, which seem increasingly out of touch with the preferences and aspirations of the audience.

In its early years, the Golden Horse Awards were celebrated for their rigorous and impartial selection process, earning a reputation for fairness and professionalism that made them the ultimate benchmark of excellence in Chinese-language cinema. However, in recent years, this prestige has been a political pawn on Taiwan's ideological chessboard, promoting "pro-independence" narratives. The quality of nominated works has noticeably declined, and the credibility of both the judges and the selection process has eroded. Unsurprisingly, the Golden Horse Awards are fading into irrelevance.

While some say this is the result of political interference, let's momentarily set politics aside. Awards are supposed to be a gold standard – a measure of artistic and professional excellence that reflects the aesthetic values and aspirations of both the industry and its audience. When winning films fail to spark public interest, two possibilities arise: either the awards themselves are flawed, or the audience's taste and aspirations have gone awry. Let's be honest – most would say the issue lies with the former.

So, what exactly has gone wrong with the Golden Horse Awards? The fundamental mission of films is to preserve culture, inspire wisdom and uplift the spirit.

The most celebrated films and awards across the world share a common thread: They champion universal values that advance human civilization. These values – prosperity, democracy, civility and harmony – are often intertwined with virtues like patriotism, dedication, integrity and kindness.

Art is inseparable from history and life, serving the people and enriching society. Great films distill the essence of history, capturing profound ethos and universal truths while evoking timeless emotions. In just one or two hours, a well-crafted cinematic experience moves audiences by transforming reality into beauty and presenting ideals that inspire them to aim higher, and the resilience of the human spirit that helps them navigate life's challenges. A truly exceptional film resonates because it connects deeply with the audience, offering both reflection and aspiration – a quality that seems to be increasingly absent from the Golden Horse Awards.

The true measure of a film's success lies in its ability to decode these ideals, transforming the forces behind personal growth, national prosperity and human progress into stories that resonate with audiences. It is this "spiritual code" that ensures a film's lasting impact and timeless relevance. The decline of the Golden Horse Awards – and with it, Taiwan's cinema – can be traced to a loss of this spiritual essence.

Taiwan's cinema once drew its strength from its roots in Chinese culture, its alignment with the spirit of progress and the economic support of the vast box-office market in the Chinese mainland. But when Taiwan distances itself from the mainland, it also severs its connection to the cultural foundation that once nurtured its creativity, the rhythm of a flourishing era and the economic backbone essential for sustainable growth.

The trajectory is clear: without rediscovering their spiritual code, the once-celebrated Golden Horse Awards are destined to recede further into the shadows, reduced to little more than niche curiosity.

Meanwhile, Chinese cinema epitomized by the Golden Rooster Awards continues to thrive, embodying a spirit of vitality, innovation and steady progress. With its unwavering commitment to artistic excellence and universal values, Chinese cinema is poised to secure its rightful place among the world's cinematic powerhouses, leaving a lasting legacy that resonates with audiences globally.

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