Films vie for Golden Rooster glory

The 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards announced nominations in 20 categories in Beijing on Monday, with Dead to Rights and Blades of the Guardians leading the race with seven nominations each.

Dead to Rights, a box-office hit depicting how ordinary people became heroes during the Nanjing Massacre, and Blades of the Guardians, a martial arts film about swordsmen escorting a prominent scholar — who is also the imperial court's most-wanted fugitive — while evading military pursuit, emerged as the two front-runners.

Dear You, a sleeper hit exploring the struggles of Chaoshan immigrants in Southeast Asia, received six nominations, including best picture and best director.