TOKYO — Glamorous yet grounded, international actress Datuk Fan Bingbing has graced film sets around the world, but her recent experience working on ‘Mother Bhumi’, a Malaysian-directed and produced film, seems to have left a lasting impression.
The Chinese actress and global fashion icon, best known for her roles in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ and ‘I Am Not Madame Bovary’, said the warmth and professionalism of the Malaysian crew during the shoot in Kedah last year made her feel right at home.
“I was really inspired by their energy. Everyone was so committed and supportive and the atmosphere was just so positive,” she told Bernama recently when met at the ongoing 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) here.
Fan, who was also nominated for Best Actress for her role in ‘Mother Bhumi’, noted that collaborating with a Malaysian crew brought a refreshing change from her previous international projects.
The acclaimed star, who portrays a rice farmer and shaman from Malaysia’s minority Siamese community, praised the team’s dedication and spirit, saying their enthusiasm motivated her to deliver her best performance on set.
“It’s rare to find such genuine teamwork. Everyone trusted and respected one another, and that made every day on set meaningful,” she added.
Fan, who won the Best Actress award at the 2010 TIFF for ‘Buddha Mountain’, said the experience opened her eyes to the growing talent within Malaysia’s film industry.
“There’s so much potential in Malaysia... the creativity, the work ethic, the passion. I truly believe these filmmakers can make their mark on the international stage,” she said.
She also expressed her admiration for ‘Mother Bhumi’ director Chong Keat Aun, praising his creative approach and calm leadership during filming.
“He’s a wonderful director to collaborate with,” Fan said, adding that she would be delighted to work with him again in the future.
Meanwhile, Chong also praised the dedication of the international actress, who arrived in Malaysia ahead of schedule to learn the local language, interact with buffaloes, master farming techniques and understand Siamese ritual ceremonies—all in pursuit of portraying her character with greater authenticity.
“As a director, I personally hope Fan wins the Best Actress award. Her commitment and effort as an actress are truly inspiring and exceptional, and I am extremely satisfied with her performance,” he said.
Having received positive feedback, including thunderous applause during the film’s screening, the Kedah-born filmmaker said he hopes his work will shed light on the lesser-known stories of Malaysia’s rural communities while honouring local culture on the international stage.
“Through this film, I want audiences to experience real village life, understand their traditions and appreciate the richness of Malaysia’s unique cultural heritage,” he added.
‘Mother Bhumi’ made history by being one of the 15 films selected for the main competition at the 38th TIFF, which started on October 27 and will go on until November 5.
The film received six nominations in the festival’s main competition for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Cinematography.
