It was a big night for the cast and crew of Hou Hsiao-Hsien's "The Assassin" as it took home eight awards during the 10^th annual Asian Film Awards including best film, best actress and best director. The ceremony was held in Macao last March 17, 2016.

The movie is about a female killer faced with a difficult choice after being sent by her teacher to kill her hometown's governor, who unfortunately, is her lover. According to MSN, during her acceptance speech for "best actress," Shu thanked the director for "The Assassin," and joked by also thanking the medicine and bandages, which helped her throughout the production.

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Aside from bagging the awards, best film, best actress and best director, the film also won five other awards, making it the most awarded movie in the history of Asian Film Awards. In fact, as reported by China Entertainment News, it beat "The Grandmaster" by Wong Kar-wai, which won seven awards back in 2014. Director Hou also made an impression at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival as he won the best director award for the martial arts film.

Other winners include Lee Byung-hun, who took home the best actor ward for "The Inside Men," Zhou Yun, who bagged the best supporting actress award for "The Assassin" and Asano Tadanobu, who received the best supporting actor award for the "Journey to the Shore."

Jessie Li was handed the best newcomer award for her amazing performance in "Port of Call." "Mountains May Depart" is the best screenplay while "Bajirao Mastani" has the best visual effects.

36 films from nine Asian countries participated in the competition. The event was held at The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel and was organized by the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

TagsAsian Film Awards, Asian Film Awards News, The Assassin, The Assassin Awards, Shu Qi, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Lee Byung Hun, Zhou Yun, Hong Kong International Film Festival