On Friday, Chinese actor Duan Yihong took top prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival as he won the Best Actor Award for his role in the suspense thriller "The Looming Storm."
According to Sina Entertainment, the jury panel "quickly and unanimously" made the decision to award Duan for his performance in the film as shared by jury member, Chinese director and actress Zhao Wei.
In his acceptance speech, Duan said, "Till today I still felt that my acting was limited. But I am happy because I have not exhausted my acting yet and I can carry on [and find out more]. Stories and humanity are infinite, and that is my source of happiness in being an actor. This award is the extension of my happiness."
"The Looming Storm" is the only Chinese film in the competition and follows the story of Yu, a self-assured factory guard, who turned into a detective to investigate on a murder. Later on, he finds himself into trouble. Aside from Duan's award, the film also won Best Artistic Contribution Award for its director Dong Yue.
The other winners of the 30th Tokyo film festival included "Maryline" star Adleline D'Hermy for the Best Actress Award, Turkey's "Grain" and its director Semih Kaplanoglu for the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix award, Malaysia's "Aqerat" director Edmund Yeo for the Best Director Award, Italy's "Crater" Silvia Luzi and Luca Bellino for the special jury prize and Japanese director Akiko Ohku for the audience award category.
Although it is not as grandiose as the Venice, Berlin and Cannes film festival, the Tokyo International Film Festival features films with high social relevance. It is also an advocate of environmental awareness as seen in their use of a "green carpet" instead of a red one.
