Ang Lee to donate prize money to local filmmakers

Filmmaker Ang Lee (李安) said yesterday he would donate a NT$20 million (US$606,000) prize he received from the Government Information Office (GIO) to help local filmmakers.

Lee won the money after his latest work -- Lust, Caution (色,戒) won the Golden Lion Award at this year's Venice Film Festival.

"I am happy to receive the award, but I cannot pocket the money because I am one of those few lucky filmmakers who can really rely on this business to make a living. I shall use the money to help more of my kind get a break," Lee said.

The popular filmmaker made the remarks yesterday morning while meeting GIO Minister Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) to receive his prize.

Lee said the GIO had helped and supported him when he was young.

"When I was still a nobody, the GIO approved my application and supported me financially so I could continue my job as a film director," Lee said. "In addition to my gratitude, I am also glad that I can help somebody else today."

Meanwhile, Lee said he has yet to decide how he would distribute the award, adding he would deal with it after he has completed his promotional tour for Lust, Caution.

Shieh commended Lee and compared him with New York Yankees pitcher Wang Chien-ming (王建民), both of whom hail from Tainan.

"Lee's Oscar and Wang's sinker both honor our country," Shieh said.

Shieh said that as per regulations for helping local filmmakers, the GIO would help Lee financially -- up to NT$80 million -- if he shot a Chinese-language movie within the next two years.