Chen Shu-fang,”Taiwan’s Grandma,” Honored with Golden Horse Lifetime Achievement Award
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Taipei,Taiwan – November 23,2024 – Actress Chen Shu-fang on Saturday,as she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards. This recognition marks her second honorary accolade of 2025, solidifying her status as a national icon in Taiwanese cinema.
A legacy of Over 100 Films
The 86-year-old actress, affectionately known as “Taiwan’s Grandma,” was introduced by Vivian Hsu, Hsieh Ying-xuan, and Sun Ke-fang, her on-screen daughters from the critically acclaimed 2020 film, “Little Big Women” (孤味). The trio lauded Chen’s unwavering dedication to her craft, her strong character, and her commitment to philanthropy, notably her support of emerging talent within the industry.
Director Joe Hsieh (謝文明), fresh off winning best animated short film with “Praying Mantis” (螳螂) at the same ceremony, also expressed his gratitude for Chen’s contributions and mentorship.
accepting the award, Chen expressed deep gratitude for the introduction and the recognition from the golden Horse Awards. “I have made over 100 films in my life,” she shared, “so many that like… I have forgotten the titles and names of.”
A Career Defined by Dedication
Chen Shu-fang’s journey began in 1957 with a role in the Hokklo (Taiwanese) language film, “Who’s Crime” (誰的罪惡). As then, she has seamlessly transitioned through various eras of Taiwanese filmmaking, from classic black-and-white productions to modern television dramas and the influential Taiwan New Cinema movement.
Her extensive filmography includes landmark titles such as “The Boys from Fengkuei” (風櫃來的人), “Taipei Story” (青梅竹馬), “A City of Sadness” (悲情城市), “A Borrowed Life” (多桑), and “March of Happiness” (天馬茶房).
In recent years, Chen’s performance in director Joseph hsu’s (許承傑) “Little Big Women” garnered widespread acclaim. She further cemented her place in Golden Horse history in 2020 by becoming the frist performer to win both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards in the same year, for “Little Big Women” and Cheng Yu-chieh’s (鄭有傑) “dear Tenant” (親愛的房客), respectively.
Continuing Contributions to Animation
Chen’s versatility extends beyond live-action roles. She has also lent her voice to animated films, including Joe Hsieh’s 2020 Golden Horse-winning short, “night Bus” (夜車), paving the way for “Praying mantis” to secure the same honor on Saturday.
Concluding her acceptance speech, Chen reaffirmed her commitment to her art, stating, “I will walk until I cannot walk, and act until I cannot act. I am Chen Shu-fang,and I will do my best to perform for you.” Her words encapsulate a lifetime dedicated to the craft and a promise to continue captivating audiences for years to come.
