BEIJING, Sept. 15 -- A Chinese film director, who won the Golden Bear prize at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival, had been detained by police for soliciting sex, Beijing police announced on Monday.

Wang Quan'an, 48, together with a 31-year-old prostitute, was caught by police at an apartment in Dongcheng District around 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to the police.

Wang confessed that he contacted the prostitute by cellphone and paid her 800 yuan (130 U.S. dollars). He solicited sex for three consecutive days last week, according to the police.

An 18-year-old pimp and another six who were involved in prostitution were also detained by police.

Wang, who graduated from the prestigious Beijing Film Academy in 1991, is a sixth generation film director who focuses on China's rural life. His film Tuya's Marriage, which depicts rural life in Inner Mongolia, won the Golden Bear for Best Film at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival.

Wang married Chinese actress Zhang Yuqi in April 2011. His wife is currently attending the 2014 New York Fashion Week.