Shu Qi's directorial debut 'The Youngsters' earns one award despite nine nominations; 'The Great Fog' wins screenplay prize

Shu Qi's directorial debut, "The Youngsters," garnered significant attention at the 28th Taipei Film Awards, securing nine nominations across various categories including Best Feature Film, Director, and Screenplay. Despite the strong showing, the film ultimately took home only the award for Best Cinematography.

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a very distinct female perspective

According to jury president Huang Chien-yeh, Shu Qi's name was indeed discussed for Best Director. He lauded "The Youngsters" for its "very distinct female perspective" and compelling realism, noting that the film resonated deeply with the jury. Taipei Film Festival director Lee Ya-mei also relayed a juror's comment that the story was "one that only a woman could write."

However, the competition for Best Director was intense, with votes primarily split between Shen Ko-shang for "Deeply Quiet" and the eventual winner, Hsu Cheng-chieh for "The Soul." Similarly, the Best Screenplay award saw a close contest among "The Soul," "The Left-Handed Girl," and "The Great Fog."

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one that only a woman could write

"The Great Fog" ultimately secured the Best Screenplay award. Huang Chien-yeh praised its script for offering a "very distinct personal viewpoint on the historical context." He highlighted how the film masterfully transitioned from a period setting to a road movie structure, allowing its characters to embark on a journey through past illusions, revealing the power of simple human nature and emotion.

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a very distinct personal viewpoint on the historical context