AP News, October 18th, 2007
Ang Lee's new spy thriller, "Lust, Caution," has been withdrawn as Taiwan's entry for the best foreign film category at next year's Oscars.
"An insufficient number of Taiwanese participated in the production of the film," said Oscar spokeswoman Teni Melidonian in an e-mail, violating a rule that requires foreign countries to certify that their locals "exercised artistic control" over their submission.
Taiwan has replaced "Lust, Caution" with Chen Huai-en's "Island Etude," about a university student's bicycle tour of Taiwan.
Chen Chun-jer, acting director of the Taiwanese government's movie department, said the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences requires that at least some of the movie's personnel in cinematography, music, recording and costume design be locals.
"We and Ang Lee are disappointed," Chen said. "Lee has a good chance of winning an Oscar. This movie was also popular in Taiwan."
Chen said the government respected the Oscar requirements.
Stanley Hung, secretary-general of Taiwan's Motion Picture and Drama Association — the body that decides the island's best foreign film Oscar entry — has appealed the film's rejection.
"Lust, Caution," about the sexually charged relationship between an undercover activist and the Japanese-allied intelligence chief in World War II-era Shanghai, won the top Golden Lion prize at this year's Venice Film Festival.
Lee won the best director Oscar last year for "Brokeback Mountain." His kung-fu hit "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," won the best foreign language film Oscar for Taiwan in 2001.
His movies also include "Hulk" and "Sense and Sensibility."
The withdrawal of "Lust, Caution" is a political blow to Taiwan, which views Lee, 52, and his Oscar win as a symbol for national success as it asserts a separate identity from mainland China.
