A Chinese drama movie about police corruption won the prestigious best picture award at the Asian Film Awards on Monday (March 18, 2013). 'Mystery," directed by Lou Ye, upset the country's censors for dealing with controversial issues, though it was rewarded at the awards ceremony.

The movie is Lou's first film after he was banned from filmmaking for five years for screening the politically charged movie 'Summer Palace' at the Cannes Film Festival without the Chinese government's approval in 2006. 'Mystery' appeared to be a risky comeback project for Lou, though critics lauded the film. "I am very happy because this (latest film) project has run into some troubles before, so this is a recognition for us," Lou told AFP after winning the award at the ceremony in Hong Kong. "I just want to concentrate on making films.... Movies and society cannot be separated," he added.

Censors had reportedly demanded a cut to the violent ending in Mystery, in which the male lead bludgeons a garbage collector to death with a hammer. Sticking by his guns, Lou refused to budge on the actual content of the scene though agreed to darken the lighting. 

Elsewhere at the movie ceremony, Japanese actor-director Takeshi Kitano won the best director gong for his gangster flick 'Outrage Beyond". Actor Eddie Garcia won best actor for playing a lonely gay man in his 70s, in the comedy 'Bwakaw". Watch the Mystery trailer below: