[Press Conference Coverage] “Mother Bhumi” Press Conference: Chong Keat Aun Brings Award-Winning Malaysian Story Back Home, Fan Bingbing Delivers Transformative Performance

[Press Conference Coverage] “Mother Bhumi” Press Conference: Chong Keat Aun Brings Award-Winning Malaysian Story Back Home, Fan Bingbing Delivers Transformative Performance

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Acclaimed Malaysian filmmaker Chong Keat Aun returned to the spotlight with the press conference of his latest feature film, “Mother Bhumi”, ahead of its nationwide cinema release on 14th May. The film, led by international star Fan Bingbing alongside Natalie Hsu, Bai Run-yin and Pearlly Chua, has already drawn strong attention for its deeply Malaysian storytelling, powerful performances and international accolades.

Written and directed by Chong Keat Aun, “Mother Bhumi” is produced by SunStrong Entertainment, Sure Honest Holdings Limited and AMTD Pictures Production Limited. The film is co-produced by Landscape Film Sdn Bhd, Berjaya Pictures Sdn Bhd, Southern Islet Pictures, Red Sea Fund and Volos Films Italia SRL, with Datuk Wira Jment Lim, Victor Ren and Calvin Choi serving as executive producers. Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Fumei are co-executive producers.

Inspired by folk legends of a witch in the paddy fields of Kedah, the film is set in the 1990s in a Siamese village where land disputes begin to trigger strange and unsettling incidents. At the centre of the story is Hong Im, a farmer by day and ritual healer by night, who protects her community while confronting questions of borders, ethnicity, power, patriarchy and the people’s relationship with land.

At the press conference, Chong Keat Aun described “Mother Bhumi” as a continuation of his exploration of land, identity and the stories rooted in his home state of Kedah. For the director, returning to Kedah for the film was both personal and artistic.

“The connection to my hometown has never left me,” Chong shared, adding that a filmmaker’s relationship with the land remains essential to the soul of storytelling.

The film has received significant international recognition, earning eight nominations at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards and winning three major awards: Best Leading Actress, Best Cinematography and Best Original Film Song. Fan Bingbing’s portrayal of the “Kedah Witch” earned her first Golden Horse Best Leading Actress Award, marking a major milestone in her career.

For Fan Bingbing, the role represents one of her most demanding transformations to date. Moving away from her familiar glamorous image, she gained weight, darkened her complexion and spent months immersing herself in rural life to portray Hong Im with authenticity. She also learned multiple languages and ritual elements for the role, including a Siamese dialect, Hokkien, Malay and Pali chants.

Director Chong revealed that the role was initially intended for a non-professional local actor, but Fan Bingbing pursued the project after reading the script. He recalled asking her whether she was willing to let him “destroy her image”, to which she replied that she was fully committed.

Fan said she wanted to begin anew through this role. Her goal, she shared, was for audiences to see Hong Im rather than Fan Bingbing on screen. Many viewers, she noted, barely recognised her in the film, something she considered a meaningful achievement as an actor.

The press conference also highlighted the commitment of the ensemble cast. Bai Run-yin, who portrays Hong Im’s son, shared that filming in Malaysia was both challenging and memorable. His preparation included learning chants through video calls with Chong before arriving in Malaysia, as well as undergoing skin-darkening makeup daily during filming.

Bai Run-yin also recalled one particularly difficult scene involving a water buffalo, during which the animal suddenly bolted toward a paddy field and dragged him along. Despite the challenge, he described the experience as unforgettable.

Veteran Malaysian actress Pearlly Chua also drew praise for her intense physical 

performance in the film. Chong acknowledged her dedication, particularly in scenes that demanded significant emotional and physical endurance.

Beyond its Golden Horse success, “Mother Bhumi” has been selected for the Main Competition at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival and the 28th Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy. At Udine, Fan Bingbing was honoured with the Golden Mulberry Award for Outstanding Achievement, further strengthening the film’s international momentum.

Chong Keat Aun, who first gained major recognition after winning Best New Director at the Golden Horse Awards for “The Story of Southern Islet”, has continued to establish himself as one of Malaysia’s most distinctive cinematic voices. Through works such as “Snow in Midsummer”, “Pavane for an Infant” and now “Mother Bhumi”, he continues to bring Malaysian histories, folklore and overlooked communities to the global screen.

With its strong emotional core, cultural specificity and internationally acclaimed performances, “Mother Bhumi” stands as an important Malaysian film that speaks not only about folklore, but also about land, memory, resistance and identity.

“Mother Bhumi” is released in cinemas nationwide on 14th May.

【记者会报道】《地母》记者会

张吉安携得奖大马故事回归本土 范冰冰颠覆形象完成代表性演出

马来西亚，吉隆坡讯 – 马来西亚著名导演张吉安携最新作品《地母》举行记者会，为电影于5月14日全马上映展开宣传。该片由国际影星范冰冰领衔主演，并集合许恩怡、白润音及蔡宝珠等演员，以浓厚的大马土地情感，呈现一部兼具艺术深度与文化重量的作品。

《地母》由张吉安自编自导，并由 SunStrong Entertainment、Sure Honest Holdings Limited 及 AMTD Pictures Production Limited 出品。联合出品单位包括 Landscape Film Sdn Bhd、Berjaya Pictures Sdn Bhd、Southern Islet Pictures、Red Sea Fund 及 Volos Films Italia SRL。电影监制为 Datuk Wira Jment Lim、Victor Ren 及 Calvin Choi，联合监制则为 Tan Sri Vincent Tan 及 Fumei。

电影灵感源自吉打稻田中关于女巫的民间传说，故事背景设定于1990年代的暹罗村落。随着土地纠纷逐渐浮现，村庄开始发生一连串诡异现象。范冰冰饰演的红音白天是农妇，夜晚则是为村民治病解降的仪式治疗者。她在守护村民的同时，也面对边界、族群、权力、父权与土地归属等深层议题。

在记者会上，张吉安表示，《地母》延续了他长期关注的土地、身份与家乡记忆。回到家乡吉打拍摄，对他而言不仅是一次创作上的回归，也是一段与土地重新对话的过程。

“我和家乡之间的连接从来没有离开过。” 张吉安认为，电影创作者若失去与脚下土地的联系，故事的核心也将失去重量。

《地母》在国际舞台上已获得高度肯定。电影于第62届金马奖获得8项提名，并成功拿下最佳女主角、最佳摄影及最佳原创电影歌曲三项大奖。范冰冰凭借吉打女巫一角，首次荣获金马奖最佳女主角，为其演艺生涯写下重要里程碑。

对范冰冰而言，《地母》是一次极具挑战性的角色转变。她放下过往观众熟悉的华丽形象，为角色增重、晒黑肤色，并长时间投入乡村生活，以更贴近红音的生命状态。她也为电影学习多种语言与仪式元素，包括暹罗方言、福建话、马来语及巴利文诵念。

张吉安透露，角色最初其实是为非职业本地演员而设，但范冰冰在阅读剧本后主动争取演出。他回忆，当时曾问范冰冰是否愿意让他“摧毁形象”，而她坚定回应愿意全情投入。

范冰冰表示，她希望透过这个角色重新出发。她最希望观众在银幕上看到的不是范冰冰，而是真正的红音。她也提到，许多观众在看片时几乎认不出她，这对演员而言是一种重要的肯定。

记者会也聚焦其他演员的投入与准备。饰演红音儿子的台湾演员白润音则分享，首次来马拍摄对他而言既辛苦又难忘。他在抵马前已透过视频通话向张吉安练习诵念内容，拍摄期间每天也需进行肤色加深化妆，再在烈日下完成演出。

 

白润音也提到，与水牛对戏是拍摄中最具挑战的经验之一。其中一场戏中，水牛突然冲向稻田，并将他拖着前进，让他至今印象深刻。

大马资深演员蔡宝珠在片中亦有极具爆发力的身体表演。张吉安特别感谢她在拍摄中的高度投入，尤其是一些需要大量体力与情绪能量的场面，为电影留下强烈的影像震撼。

张吉安自凭《南巫》获得金马奖最佳新导演后，持续以《五月雪》、《摇篮凡世》及《地母》等作品拓展其独特的电影语言。他的作品长期关注马来西亚历史、民间信仰、边界经验与被忽略的群体，让本土故事在国际电影节中被更多人看见。

凭借扎实的情感核心、鲜明的文化根基及演员们极具说服力的演出，《地母》不仅是一部关于民间传说的电影，也是一部关于土地、记忆、抵抗与身份的马来西亚作品。

《地母》于5月14日全马戏院上映。

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