Films that mimic life nab awards and top box office

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Films are often seen as art imitating life and in China, several recent movies have done just that.

Director Vivian Qu won the award for Best Director at the Golden Horse Awards on Saturday for "Angels Wear White", the latest hit movie in China to shine a spotlight on a societal issue.

"Angels Wear White" tells the story of two schoolgirls who are brutally assaulted by a middle-aged man in a seaside motel.

A teenage receptionist who witnessed the abuse says nothing for fear of losing her job. The young girls fall deeper into a net that offers them no protection and finds it increasingly difficult to find their way out.

Actress Peng Jing, actor Geng Le, actress Zhou Meijun, Director Vivian Qu, actress Shi Ke and actor Wang Yuexin (L-R) pose during a photocall for the movie "Angels Wear White" at the 74th Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on September 7, 2017. /Xinhua Photo‍

Speaking to reporters ahead of the film’s premier, Qu said she wanted to examine the responsibility of the bystander through the film, called "Jia Nian Hua" in Chinese.

After winning the award, she said she thinks "Angels Wear White" is even more meaningful in light of current child sex abuse cases being uncovered in Beijing and Shanghai.

The film inspired by earlier, similar events hit theaters in China Friday and has a striking comparison to shocking allegations that are causing a nationwide uproar.

Chinese filmmakers are now boldly taking steps to focus on real-world issues like child sex abuse. But they are also daring to tell stories about people often ignored or at least not typically regarded as a film's central character.

Another winner at the Golden Horse Awards was Tu Men, who won Best Lead Actor for his role as the dreadful Yang in "Old Beast."

/Dongchun Film Productions

Old Beast is the gritty tale of a pensioner who gambles the night away while his wife is at home dying, sells offs his friend's possessions to shower his mistress with gifts and asks the police to arrest his children for trying to straighten his ways.

The debut feature from Shou Ziyang offers an engaging portrait of real-lives in China while turning attention to another growing issue of concern - retirement.

"We decided to shoot this film because it was based on a real story," the film's producer Wang Xiaoshuai told CGTN.

"It focuses on revealing the current situation of the aging population in China."

Real-life issues are also tackled in "Duckweed", released earlier this year in China.

The film tells the story about the reconciliation between a father and his son. Ah Lang, a youth from a small town, thinks that his father Ah Zheng never understood his occupation and life.

In a fateful occurrence, he is able to experience his father's legendary and interesting life in the past and gains respect for him.

/ Shanghai Professional Making Film

In "Paradox" a police negotiator travels to Bangkok to search for his teenage daughter. Along the way, he encounters the mastermind of an organ trafficking gang who colludes with a local politician, leading to a series of hot pursuits.

China’s biggest actor Jackie Chan took on the role of a grieving father seeking revenge for the death of his daughter in "The Foreigner".

"Duckweed", "Paradox", and "The Foreigner" are among the top 10 grossing films of the year in China.

Will "Angels Wear White" and "Old Beast" find similar success at the box office?

…to be continued.

(with inputs from wires)