Taipei, Taiwan — The 62nd Golden Horse Awards ceremony concluded Sunday in Taipei, celebrating cinematic excellence across the Chinese-speaking world, with veteran actor Chang Chen securing his second Best Actor trophy for his transformative role in The Road to Happiness. Mainland actress Fan Bingbing unexpectedly claimed Best Actress for her performance in Earth Mother, highlighting a night characterized by razor-thin differences, with the executive committee confirming seven categories decided by a single vote.
The evening’s most prestigious prizes were hotly contested, according to Wen Tien-Hsiang, executive director of the Golden Horse Executive Committee. Speaking at the awards’ press center, Wen revealed intense deliberation among the jury. Categories determined by just one vote included Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best New Performer, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Editing, and Best Animated Short Film.
In the Best Actress category, Fan Bingbing’s portrayal in Earth Mother triumphed over Kao Yi-ling in My Family’s Affairs. Wen praised Fan’s performance, noting her compelling transition “from complete composure to utter collapse, offering a remarkably fresh perspective” that ultimately swayed the panel.
The Best Actor race was equally gripping. While competitors like Hsu Rui-chi offered a vivid, emotive performance and Chang Hsiao-chuan showcased compelling restraint and explosive intensity, Chang Chen’s victory was secured by his nuanced, largely non-verbal work in The Road to Happiness. Despite the deliberate dramatic flair, Wen described Chang Chen’s portrayal—a near-monologue delivered within a brief narrative span—as possessing a poignant resonance. Rising Hong Kong talent Terrance Lau, though lauded for his creative rhythm and blend of tragicomic genius, ultimately conceded the award to Chang Chen.
Lau, who has now received the runner-up position for Best Actor for two consecutive years, brought humor to his celebrated defeat. At the winners’ celebration, he jokingly questioned the results, asking, “Who didn’t vote for me? I don’t believe this runner-up talk!” He reflected on his journey, recalling feeling isolated four years ago when first attending the awards as a Best Supporting Actor nominee. Now, he feels deeply connected to the Taiwanese film community, finding this sense of belonging “happier than winning a prize.”
For Chang Chen, the second Best Actor win, four years after his first, signals a shift in approach. The actor confessed that days before the ceremony, he sought peace and good luck from three local temples. An unremarkable piece of candy casually picked up after praying at the Fude Temple in Nangang became his unexpected “lucky charm,” which he plans to preserve alongside the trophy.
Chang Chen noted that his perspective on acting has evolved. Where previous roles were marked by tension and high pressure, he now embraces a more relaxed, enjoyable process. “I don’t desperately need to act,” Chang Chen stated, emphasizing that the driving force behind his career now is the sheer enjoyment and comfort he finds in the creative journey of performance. “Acting must be fun; allowing myself to relish the process is what keeps me going.”
The 62nd Golden Horse Awards not only honored current excellence but also underscored the vibrancy and highly competitive spirit of contemporary Chinese-language cinema, where subtle, deeply felt performances continue to captivate industry critics and audiences alike.