China's leading film awards, the 15th Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, concluded at Saturday's awards ceremony in Hangzhou. Mainland movie Zhang Side became the biggest winner earning three Hundred Flowers Awards though Hong Kong movies dominated the nomination lists.

Zhang Side is a mainstream movie based on the true story of an ordinary soldier and hero who was one of late Chairman Mao's security guards and died in 1944 saving fellow soldiers. The man later was honored by Chairman Mao, was highly praised and became an icon of a national campaign to study his good spirits. The movie has won three awards -- best film, best director and best leading actor at the Hundred Flowers Award beating its Hong Kong competitors Kung Fu Hustle, Fearless and New Police Story.

Wu Jun, who plays the soldier in Zhang Side, beat Hong Kong's Jacky Chan, Stephen Chow and Jet Li to win Best Actor. International stars Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi and Andy Lau, the mainland's top directors Zhang Yimou and Feng Xiaogang and Stephen Chow won no awards at the festival.

Almost all nominated Hong Kong and Taiwan directors and stars were absent from Saturday's ceremony.

Rene Lau won the best actress for a leading role in A World Without Thieves. Sun Li won the award for the best new actress for her performance in Jet Li's latest effort Fearless. Qiu Yuen won the best supporting actress award for her role in Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle.

Winning the Best Supporting Actor for his performance in New Police Story, newly wed Hong Kong star Nicolas Tse, was the only well-known star at the ceremony. "I was surprised that I beat Andy Lau and his House of Flying Daggers," he said.

Albert Yeung Sau-shing, founder and chief of Hong Kong record label Emperor Entertainment Group, attended the festival with his singers including Joey Yung, Eason Chan, Twins and Tse.

Zhang Side's Director Yin Li

Wu Jun

Sun Li

Nicolas Tse (R)

(Shenzhen Daily, China.org.cn by Zhang Rui October 30, 2006)