His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim recently granted an audience to internationally acclaimed actress and Melaka Tourism Friendship Ambassador Fan Bingbing at Istana Pasir Pelangi.
According to a post shared on the Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Facebook page, the meeting took place on May 12 in Johor Bahru.
Fan, who stars in the Malaysian film Mother Bhumi, was recognised for her role in helping promote Malaysia through the international film industry.
Also present during the audience were the film’s producer Wong Kew Soon, award-winning director Chong Keat Aun, and Fan’s manager, Johor-born Jersey Chong.
Mother Bhumi features an international cast including Hong Kong actress Natalie Hsu and Taiwanese actor Bai Run-yin alongside Malaysian actors Pearlly Chua, Alvin Wong, Rithaudin and Pauline Tan.
Set in the late 1990s near the Thailand border in Kedah, the film blends local history, folklore and mystical beliefs rooted in rural Malaysian culture. The story centres on a woman who works as a padi farmer during the day and a bomoh at night.
The film has also brought international recognition to Malaysia after receiving accolades at several prestigious events, including the Golden Horse Awards, Tokyo International Film Festival and Far East Film Festival.
