Sparks fly in dramatic episode of silver screen rivalry

Rivalries between movie stars are the stuff of legend.

There is the notorious feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford that culminated in the 1962 movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Half a century later and half a world away, Gong Li and Joan Chen combined to totally eclipse the Golden Horse Awards they had just appeared at by staging a post-show drama befitting larger-than-life egos. Only this time, the audience, via the Internet, seemed to wield the baton as it whipped the clash to a crescendo.

Gong, who served as Zhang Yimou's muse during the prime of their careers, was nominated for her role in Coming Home, in which her character suffers from politics-induced amnesia and endures adversity that symbolizes the upheaval of a nation. She went to Taipei, confident of winning for her much-lauded performance.

Surprisingly, she lost to Shiang-chyi Chen, a little-known actress from Taiwan in a movie so unheralded that few have seen it or are in a position to comment on it.

A day after Gong returned to the mainland, her agent told the media that the Golden Horse Awards, which take into consideration all Chinese-language movies, are "unjust" and "unprofessional", adding that Gong will not attend them again.

Gong's supporters pointed the finger of suspicion at Joan Chen, this year's jury president. They claimed Chen was taking it out on Gong because she held a two-decades-long grudge against the younger actress.

Chen, born in 1961, made her name while still a teenager. Shortly after winning the most prestigious film awards on the mainland, she emigrated to the US and appeared in a dozen English-language works, most notably The Last Emperor.

Gong, born in 1965, took another road to international stardom. Her start in movies, although a decade later than Chen's, catapulted her to instant fame.

According to online sources, Painted Soul, a 1994 biopic about a Chinese artist in France, was to have cast Chen in the lead, but eventually opted for Gong.

The same year, Chen nudged Gong aside and landed the main role in a Hong Kong picture titled Red Rose White Rose. Chen won her first Golden Horse for her performance in this movie.

Chinese tabloids even dug out photos of both actresses wearing the same-designed gown to European film festivals as a manifestation of their simmering hostility. The stars also denied having seen each other, despite the existence of photos showing them together.

Facing criticism over her perceived "bias", Chen said in a statement: "I have always admired Gong Li's acting and I believe her acting in Coming Home is accurate and touching. For all three rounds of voting, I gave my vote to her."

The awards organizers said a nominee has to command at least half of the 17 votes to win. None had that many during the first two rounds in the best actress category. Insiders say that Gong eventually lost by one vote.

So, who is the biggest loser in this showbiz brouhaha? Some said Gong because she was not graceful in losing; others pointed to Chen because she is perceived as being a member of an older generation jealous of a slightly younger one. Some others felt it was the Golden Horse Awards themselves.

Whatever verdict you reach, it is surely an episode of high drama that only stars of this caliber can create with just a few emotion-tinged words.