Tony Leung and Tang Wei (R) are seen in a poster of "Lust, Caution." The stars are among the pre-Oscar Independent Spirit Awards nominees announced on Tuesday. [File Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]

"Lust, Caution" stars Tony Leung and Tang Wei are among the pre-Oscar Independent Spirit Awards nominees announced on Tuesday.

The Chinese-language spy thriller has earned Hong Kong actor Tony Leung a chance to vie for best male lead at the 23rd Independent Spirit Awards. His rivals are Pedro Castaneda ("August Evening"), Don Cheadle ("Talk to Me"), Philip Seymour Hoffman ("The Savages"), and Frank Langella ("Starting Out in the Evening").

Chinese mainland acting newcomer Tang Wei will compete for the best female lead with seasoned stars Angelina Jolie ("A Mighty Heart"), Sienna Miller ("Interview"), Parker Posey ("Broken English"), and Ellen Page ("Juno").

"Lust, Caution" and its Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, however, are not in the running for best film and best director. The film itself only earned a nod for best cinematography.

The annual Spirit Awards show, usually held one day before the Academy Awards, will be presented on February 23, 2008.

Friendly to independent and non-commercial films, the Spirit Awards are gaining recognition by the mainstream film industry, as the list of winners increasingly mirrors that of the ensuing Academy Awards.

Former Spirit Awards honorees, such as "Lost in Translation" and "Brokeback Mountain," another Ang Lee film, were honored the following day with Oscars.

Nominations for the 80th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, 2008.