TOKYO, Oct 28 — Under the lights of Hulic Hall Tokyo, Malaysian filmmaker Chong Keat Aun took a bow before an audience of nearly 1,000, as his latest work, Mother Bhumi, made its world premiere at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) last night.
For Chong, it was more than just a screening — it was a homecoming of the heart. His film, which blends history, folklore and spirituality, draws deeply from the soil of Kedah, his birthplace near the Malaysian-Thai border.
Set in the late 1990s, Mother Bhumi follows a woman who toils in the paddy fields by day and becomes a healer by night. The story unfolds in the rhythm of rural life, where the sacred and the everyday intertwine. At its centre is Datuk Fan Bingbing, the internationally acclaimed Chinese actress, who portrays a Malaysian woman of Siamese descent.
During the post-screening question-and-answer session, Chong’s voice carried both pride and nostalgia.
“I chose this setting because I was born in Kedah, near the border with Thailand,” he said. “It’s a place steeped in stories, where Siamese and British influences have long shaped our way of life.”
The Golden Horse Award-winning director revealed that the film draws on the mystical traditions of northern Malaysia — a subject close to his heart.
“This area is very special. It’s where black magic, known locally as gong-tau, originated,” he shared. “Both my parents were once sorcerers who helped remove curses. So even as a child, I was fascinated by these rituals.”
Chong also spoke fondly of how Fan came on board the project. The collaboration, he said, began with a surprise — an email from the superstar herself.
“She contacted my producer, and when we met, she showed such passion for the story. I was hesitant at first because she’s such a famous actress, but she told me, ‘You can destroy my face if you need to.’ That’s how committed she was.”
The Tokyo premiere marked Fan’s return to TIFF — 15 years after she won the Best Actress Award for Buddha Mountain in 2010.
Taking the stage, she greeted the audience with a warm smile.
“Thank you for coming tonight for the first screening of this film,” she said. “It’s emotional to be back here after 15 years. I’m a Chinese actress in a Malaysian film — and that makes this journey even more special.”
Known for her roles in X-Men: Days of Future Past and I Am Not Madame Bovary, Fan described Mother Bhumi as one of her most demanding performances yet.
“I had to learn four languages — Malay, Hokkien, Siamese and Indonesian,” she said, laughing as she recalled her preparation. “I trained online with the director for three months before filming, and then lived in Kedah to learn how to plant rice. Every day, I was bitten by more than 100 mosquitoes!”
Despite the challenges, Fan said the experience was deeply rewarding.
“Working with the Malaysian crew felt like being part of a family,” she added. “They were so warm, so genuine — it reminded me why I love making films.”
The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival, which runs from October 27 to November 5, will feature 184 screenings and events, including 15 films competing in its main category, selected from nearly 2,000 entries worldwide.
With Mother Bhumi, Chong once again proves that Malaysian stories — rooted in local soil yet universal in emotion — can resonate across borders. — Bernama
