China's Black Coal, Thin Ice by Diao Yinan about a washed up ex-cop investigating a series of grisly murders has won the Berlin film festival's Golden Bear top prize.
The classic film noir, whose Chinese title is Bai Ri Yan Huo, also captured the Silver Bear best actor award on Saturday for its star Liao Fan.
"It's really hard to believe that this dream has come true which didn't come true for such a long time," Diao said as he accepted the trophy, fighting back tears.
The picture is set in the late 1990s in northern China and its murder mystery plot is told through a set of enigmatic flashbacks.
Liao put on weight to play the alcoholic suspended police officer who falls hard for a mysterious murder suspect (Gwei Lun Mei).
"Yesterday was Valentine's Day and also the beginning of spring in China and the whole of Berlin was in love. Yesterday was also my 40th birthday," Liao said.
"I think this was the most wonderful present you could give me."
In a remarkably strong showing for Asian cinema, the Berlinale, Europe's first major film festival of the year, handed its best actress prize to Japan's Haru Kuroki for her role as a discreet housemaid in wartime Tokyo in Yoji Yamada's The Little House.
"I will take this happiness and joy for winning the prize back to Japan," Kuroki said, wearing an elegant kimono.
American films shared the glory, with Wes Anderson's historical caper The Grand Budapest Hotel offering a nostalgic look back at a Europe lost to war claiming the runner-up Silver Bear Grand Jury prize.
The picture starring Ralph Fiennes had opened the Berlinale on February 6.
Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater, whose innovative coming-of-age drama Boyhood was 12 years in the making and a critical and audience hit at the festival, won best director.
"I accept it on behalf of the more than 400 people who worked on my movie," said Linklater, clutching the trophy.
"This says best director but I want to think of it as best ensemble."
A jury led by US producer James Schamus (Brokeback Mountain) handed out the prizes at a gala ceremony in the German capital.
