Taiwanese drama scores two major international nominations

Taipei, Aug. 8 (CNA) Taiwanese TV movie "Though Dead, Still Alive" has earned two prestigious international nominations, for best TV movie at the Seoul International Drama Awards and best supporting actress at Singapore's ContentAsia Awards.

The 85-minute black comedy, broadcast on the Taiwanese-language channel of the Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation, received the honors on Aug. 6 and 7, respectively.

Starring Fang Wen-lin (方文琳), Hsia Ching-tin (夏靖庭) and Yang Shiau-li (楊小黎), the film follows a family's absurd and desperate scheme to keep a vegetative member "alive" on paper to continue receiving subsidies.

"Hopefully the work will reach a wider audience and give the issue itself more feedback and energy," Yang said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Fang's portrayal of a sharp-tongued, hot-tempered mother-in-law -- a stark departure from her past gentle roles -- earned her the ContentAsia nomination.

On her chances of winning, Fang said she was not thinking about it much. The real reward, she said, was being part of a distinctive production that cast a spotlight on the struggles of long-term care.