Controversial Mainland film leads Golden Horse nominations

TAIPEI (AFP) - A film from China that has upset censors for dealing with sensitive issues leads the nominations for Taiwan's 49th Golden Horse Awards, organisers said on Tuesday.

Mystery, which touches on controversial topics such as police corruption and the behaviour of China's new rich, led with eight nominations, including best picture, director for Lou Ye and actress for Hao Lei.

Chinese media said censors demanded Lou cut the violent ending where the male lead bludgeons a garbage collector to death with a hammer. He refused until a compromise was reached and he agreed to darken the scene.

Mystery opens in Singapore on Nov 15.