Lee skips Asian Film Awards over ban

HONG KONG, March 19 (UPI) -- Ang Lee reportedly did not attend the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong this week because Tang Wei, the star of his film "Lust, Caution," had been blacklisted.

Wei, who was nominated for a best actress award for her performance in the big-screen drama, also did not attend the event after she had been criticized by Chinese authorities because of her sexy scenes in the movie, the New York Post said.

The ban also cost the actress a deal that would have had her appearing in television commercials for Pond's skin cream, the report said.