'Tiny Times' sweeps Golden Broom Awards

Chinese writer-turned-director Guo Jingming's film Tiny Times III swept the Golden Broom Awards, winning four awards in total, including that for "most disappointing film".

The sixth Golden Broom Awards, China's equivalent to the Golden Raspberry Awards, was held on Monday night in Beijing. Tiny Times III, which grossed more than 500 million yuan ($798,500) at the box office but received bad reviews, was awarded as the "most disappointing film".

Actress Yang Mi, who stars in the Tiny Times franchise, was named the "most disappointing actress". This is the second time Yang has received such "recognition" after winning the same title in 2013.

According to the organizers of the Golden Broom Awards, which asks the public to select the worst films of the year, this year's contest is taking place amid "the most shameless, uncreative and dreadful" time in China's film history.

The founder of the awards, Cheng Qingsong, said the idea behind them is to encourage more feedback from movie fans.

Award nominees were selected through an online voting process. The public voted for the country's worst films through the Internet and new media platforms. Winners were selected after a month of public voting and judges by 25 professionals.

The big winner

Films Tiny Times III, The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom and The Breakup Guru tied in receiving the award for "most disappointing film".

Guo, who has been a favorite at Golden Broom Awards ever since his directorial debut, swept the award floor once more, pocketing the award for "most disappointing director" and "most disappointing screenwriter".

"After the exaggeration and shallowness from the first films of the series, this (the third one) is a combination of tourist promotion video for Rome and a battle of good and bad logic," said the organizer on the reason for awarding Guo.

Tiny Time III, inspired by a trilogy of popular young adult novels by Guo, tells the coming-of-age story of four fashionable college girls in Shanghai. Guo's hardcore fans said he is the voice of a new material-minded generation, but many critics rated Tiny Times as superficial homage to consumerism that's setting a bad example for youth in China.

No one to claim the awards

After receiving the award for "most disappointing actress" in 2013, actress Yang Mi was awarded the same title once more this year for her role in Tiny Times 3 and The Breakup Guru.

"When Yang Mi won the title in 2013, we kindly reminded her (of her problems). She is participating in many films, but she's still going around in circles," said the organizer.

Unlike the "Razzies", no winners of the Golden Broom Awards have claimed the award, a broom-shaped trophy, in person in the six years of the ceremony. According to the organizer, Yang said she "isn't brave enough" to collect her award.

Presenter and actress Yan Danchen said actors and directors should view the Golden Brooms with a sense of humor.

"This is about entertainment. It's not to say that they (the winners) were really that bad, but that they could have done better in their positions. This should be viewed as a form of encouragement," said Yan.

"We truly hope some high-profile winners can come and claim their awards," said Cheng. "If they can bow their heads and listen more to people's opinions, maybe they can become the best the next year."

The winners

Most disappointing film: Tiny Times III, The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom and The Breakup Guru

Most disappointing director: Guo Jingming (Tiny Times III) and Zhang Zhiliang (The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom)

Most disappointing screenwriter: Guo Jingming (Tiny Times III)

Most disappointing actor: Dannie Yen (The Iceman 3D, The Monkey King)

Most disappointing actress: Yang Mi (Tiny Times III and The Breakup Guru)

Most disappointing mid- and small-budget film: Dad! Where are we going? 2, Just Another Margin, The Truth about Beauty)