"a simple life" was an official selection for competition at the 68th venice international film festival, where it won 4 awards. deanie ip won the volpi cup for best actress for her role in this film. she is the first hong konger to win this prize. in march, she also became the first hong konger to win the asian film award for best actress. at the same event, director ann hui became the first woman to win the lifetime achievement award. at the 31st hong kong film awards ceremony, "a simple life" won 5 major prizes (film, director, screenplay, actor, actress), repeating what happened with hui's "summer snow" in 1996. ann hui has won best director (4 times) more than anyone else at the hong kong film awards. ip is the oldest best actress recipient (64 years old at the time of her win).