Jia Zhangke (R) gives a speech on receiving the "Best Film" award at the 34th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards in Hollywood on January 13, 2009. [Photo: sina.com]

Chinese director Jia Zhangke's Golden Lion-winning film 'Still Life' won two honors of 'Best Foreign-Language Film' and 'Best Cinematography' at the 34th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards (LAFCA) held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hollywood on Tuesday.

Jia Zhangke and lead actress Zhao Tao attended the ceremony, joining award-winning Hollywood actor Sean Penn, British actress Sally Hawkins and other nominees at the event. Zhao Tao received the award of 'Best Cinematography' on behalf of the film's cameraman Yu Lik-Wai who was absent from the ceremony.

On receiving the 'Best Foreign-Language Film' award, Jia said the filming of 'Still Life' was the hardest time in his life, and he owed all the thanks to those who helped him through it.

'Still Life' also won him a 'Golden Lion', the top award at the 63rd Venice Film Festival in 2006.

Jia Zhangke stands out as a leading figure of the "Sixth Generation" of Chinese film directors. He has earned international recognition in recent years for his focus on contemporary grass-roots life in China. He is the fourth Chinese director to win a LAFCA award, following Edward Yang with 'A One and a Two', Ang Lee with 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' in 2000, and Zhang Yimou with 'House of Flying Daggers' in 2004.(Northeast web)