Best Picture nominee 'Tuya's Marriage' and its director Wang Quanan, and fellow Best Director nominee Li Yang of 'Blind Mountain' were withdrawn from the contest by the filmmakers. According to Mainland film rules, films that are financed only from domestic sources are not eligible for the Golden Horse awards, which are held in Taiwan and are open to any Chinese Language film regardless of geographic origin.
According to sources the Chinese government is reacting to the fact that the Taiwan sponsored event is considered the 'Chinese Oscars', a move they see as promoting Taiwan's international recognition as an independent state.
In the place of 'Tuya's Marriage', Hong Kong's 'Eye In the Sky' will compete for Best Picture and Directors Jiang Wen ('The Sun Also Rises') and Derek Yee ('The Protege') will replace Wang and Li in the Best Director category.
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