The 2012 Asian Film Awards were handed out in Hong Kong Monday night, and taking home top prize for Best Film was the Iranian drama, A Separation, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film last month.
Asghar Farhadi (who was absent from the ceremony) also won the award for Best Director and Best Screenwriter, along with his editor Hayedeh Safiyari.
As an Iranian . . . I'm really glad that Iran has been mentioned all around the world for its culture and its film, not sanctions and war-like words, Safiyari said in her acceptance speech.
Legendary Hong Kong actress Deanie Ip won this year's Best Actress award for her role in A Simple Life, the drama also starring Andy Lau. Ip won the same award at the 68th Venice International Film Festival last summer and at the 48th Golden Horse Awards in November.
Christian Bale's drama The Flowers of War, which was nominated in six categories, won only one prize, Best Newcomer for Chinese actress Ni Ni.
Now in its sixth year, the Asian Film Awards honors the best in Asian cinema, with prizes including Best Costume Designer, Best Production Design, Best Composer and the usual major acting, directing and screenwriting categories.
Click through for photos from the 2012 Asian Film Awards. For a full list of winners, visit the AFA website.
Iranian actress Leila Hatami (L) and film-editor Hayedeh Safiyari pose with their awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012. Their movie "Nader and Simin, A Separation" won the Best Director and Best Film awards at the Asian Film Awards. Safiyari accepted the award on behalf of the movie's director Asghar Farhadi. REUTERSHong Kong actress Deanie Ip poses with her trophy after winning the Best Actress award for the movie "A Simple Life" at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012.REUTERSHong Kong actress Deanie Ip poses with her trophy after winning the Best Actress award for the movie "A Simple Life" at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012.REUTERSHong Kong actor Andy Lau and Philippine actress Eugene Domingo pose with their trophies after winning the most popular actor and actress awards through online voting, at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012. REUTERSChinese actress Ni Ni poses with her trophy after winning the Best Newcomer award for her role in Chinese film "The Flowers of War", at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012. REUTERSHong Kong director Ann Hui poses with her trophy after accepting the Lifetime Achievement award at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012.REUTERSIndonesian actor Donny Damara poses with his trophy after winning the Best Actor award for his role in Indonesian film "Lovely Man", at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012. REUTERSPhilippine actress Shamaine Buencamino poses with her trophy after winning the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Philippine film "Nino" at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012. REUTERSTaiwan actor Lawrence Ko poses with his trophy after winning the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Taiwan film "Jump! Ashin" at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012. REUTERSSouth Korean actress Yoon Eun Hye poses on the red carpet at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012.REUTERSTaiwan actors Ko Chen-tung (L) and Michelle Chen pose on the red carpet at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012. Ko is nominated for the Best Newcomer award and Chen is nominated for the Best Actress award for their roles in Taiwan film "You are the apple of my eye".REUTERSHong Kong actress Karen Mok poses on the red carpet at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong March 19, 2012. REUTERS
