The Taiwanese-born Ang Lee, who previously won Best Director for Brokeback Mountain, has claimed his second Oscar, this time for Life of Pi. He beat out the favored Steven Spielberg, who directed Lincoln, and Michael Haneke (Armour), David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook), and Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild).
In one of the more notable acceptance speech moments this year, Lee thanked the 3,000 people who worked on the film with him, plus Taiwan. He ended with a “thank you” in Chinese and the Indian valediction “namaste.”
Ang Lee’s ‘Namastey” during his Oscar’sacceptance speech worth more than the Golden Statuette in his hands.
— Shobhaa Deさん (@DeShobhaa) 2013年2月25日
One reaction from Taiwan, via WSJ:
In reaction to Ang Lee’s best-director win, Chu Wen-ching, head of the Bureau Audiovisual and Music Industry Development of the Ministry of Culture, said: “We are very pleased and feel honored to know that Lee Ang has won the award as Best Director. He has brought honor and glory to Taiwan.”
By the way, a reminder that last time Lee won an Oscar, in 2006, Chinese censors scrubbed out references to Taiwan and homosexuality in the CCTV broadcast. Some netizens certainly remember:
from Weibo: Taiwan has Ang Lee, Hong Kong has Wong Kai-Wai and Mainland has SARFT (State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television).
— Li Yuanさん (@LiYuan6) 2013年2月25日
CCTV, however, seems to have relaxed its censorship this time, or at least just doesn’t care as much:
Richard Gere just showed up as a presenter at the Oscars. No way CCTV will replay the ceremony in China.
— Edward Wongさん (@comradewong) 2013年2月25日
I’m told CCTV 6 streamed Richard Gere appearing at the Oscars. I guess censors slow to catch on or think he’s irrelevant.
— Edward Wongさん (@comradewong) 2013年2月25日
That’s Richard Gere, famous Buddhist, China hater.
He personally thanked Taiwan?
(sits back, opens beer, waits for crybabies)
Props for the free and independent nation of Taiwan!!