Taiwanese film “Marry My Dead Body” wins Audience Prize of Asian World Film Festival
LAPost/Culver City, CA (November 20, 2023) – Taiwanese films have once again been recognized in the Hollywood film industry. “Marry My Dead Body”, which represented Taiwan in the competition for the Best International Film Award at the 96th Academy Awards, won the Audience Prize at the 9th Asian World Film Festival awards ceremony on the evening of the 17th, becoming the first Taiwanese winner at the Asian International Film Festival in nine years.
The director delivered his acceptance speech via video （Photo by: Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles)
The 9th Asian World Film Festival held in Culver City, Los Angeles from November 8 to November 17. Films from 15 countries including Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran competed for the Best International Film Award at the 96th Academy Awards were screened during the 10days festival. “Marry My Dead Body” stood out and won “the Audience Prize” at the final.
TeYuan Mark Chien (Left 1), director of the Taiwan Academy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. (Photo by: Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles)
“Marry My Dead Body,” Taiwan’s official Academy Award submission, had its 1st screening during the festival, joined by director Wei Hao Cheng and Producer Pai Lunn Jin. with Q&A moderated by UCLA professor Michael Berry on Nov. 09, 2023.
Mr. Amino C.Y. CHI (Middle) Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, and Mrs. Chi (Right 2) attending AWFF Taiwan Film Day on November 9th to show supports to the movie directorWei Hao Cheng (Left 2) and producer Pai Lunn Jin (Right 1). Photo: Richard Ren
“Marry My Dead Body” achieved box office success when it was released in Taiwan earlier this year. It blends traditional customs with modern perspectives to showcase the characteristics of Taiwanese culture and life. Director Wei Hao Cheng and producer Pai Lunn Jin specially came to Los Angeles on November 9 to participate in the special screening and post-screening. During the discussion, the response was enthusiastic. American audiences generally think that the custom of ghost marriage is very special, and they like the story of the film. The content is full of jokes and crying points. It is a good movie that combines comedy and emotion. They especially think that it is not easy to present gender issues through this plot method.
Aafter screening Q&A moderated by UCLA professor Michael Berry (Right 1) Photo: Richard Ren
Photo: Richard Ren
A fantasy journey full of laughter and tears between a straight man and a gay ghost, the film has been recognized by several festivals and garnered key awards including 13th BIFAN NAFF Awards – Bucheon Award, Asian Pop-up Cinema Season16 – Audience Choice Winner, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival 22nd – Best Asian Film, New York Asian Film Festival 22nd – Audience Award, 25th Taipei Film Awards – Best Screenplay Winner, and the 60th Golden Horse Awards with eight nominations.
Said Georges Chamchoum, Executive Director of the Asian World Film Festival, “Film Day is a Program that I personally love because it embodies the spirit of AWFF. Taiwan has been steadily loyal to AWFF since 2017 and we are always thrilled to have them on board!”
Photo: Richard Ren
The Asian World Film Festival was founded by the famous Kyrgyz director Sadyk Sher-Niyaz to provide opportunities for Asian films to be exposed in Hollywood, increase their visibility, and strengthen connections with the local film industry in the United States.
“Marry My Dead Body”‘s participation in this AWFF is supported by Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture and the Taiwan Academy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, using the Asian World Film Festival for promotion and Warming up for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film next year shows the intentions and vision of the supporting units.
