Despite being convicted for sexual assault and sentenced to three years in jail, Hong Kong director Chang Tso-chi's "Thanatos, Drunk" bagged six awards at the recently concluded Taipei Film Festival. The highly anticipated film festival ran from June 26 to July 18.

Chang was found guilty by the Taipei Supreme Court last March of sexually assaulting one of his female screenwriters during their after-dinner drinks in his studio, The China Post reported. Chan filed an appeal but was dismissed and is now serving his sentence.

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But despite a drawback in his personal life, Chang's movie snagged major awards including the Press Award, Best Actor, Best Actress, and the Grand Prix among others.

According to Variety, "Thanatos" was the first movie in the feature category to win the coveted Grand Prix award in six years.  Lead cast Lee Hong-chi was awarded Best Actor, while Chen Jen-shuo took home the Best Supporting Actor trophy, and Lu Hsueh-feng was named Best Actress.

The movie's story revolves on the lives of a slacker punk, his gay brother and a gigolo friend. In a report by Screen Daily, the movie jury headed by Hong Kong filmmaker Fruit Chan described the movie as having "bold cinematic language" and "characters that are trying to survive in their dreamlike intimate, unbound and sorrowful emotional state."

The much-awaited Taipei Film Festival Awards is highlighted by four featured categories: documentary, feature, short, and animation. A major award called "Grand Prix" goes to the overall best film. 

Meanwhile, other winners include, over-all category Best Actress went to Japan's Hiromi Nagasaku for "The Furthest End Awaits," a co-production by Japan and Taiwan. Best Director was awarded to Tsai Ming-liang for the film "No No Sleep." Best Short Film award went to "The Death of a Security Guard," while Best Animation was awarded to "The Vending Machine."

TagsThanatos Drunk, Thanatos, Chang Tso-chi, Taipei Film Festival