Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing, who starred in the acclaimed contemporary drama "I Am Not Madame Bovary," was hailed best actress in the recently concluded 11th Asian Film Awards held at the Cultural Center in Hong Kong, news outlet Variety reported.
Fan took the role of Li Xuelian, a woman from the countryside who moved to the capital and took on the country's legal system to defend herself after she was swindled by her former husband. Her character was falsely accused of having an affair.
Proving her acting chops, Fan ditched her widely-known glamorous vibe to play Li, requiring her to wear a peasant costume.
"I Am Not Madame Bovary," directed by Feng Xiaogang and written by Liu Zhenyun, also took the Best Film and Best Cinematography (for Luo Pan) awards.
Another ceremony favorite, South Korea's "The Handmaiden" bagged four tilts. These include Best Supporting Actress for Moon So-ri, Best Newcomer for Kim Tae-ri, Best Production Designer for Ryu Seong-hee, and Best Costume Designer for Jo Sang-kyung.
South Korean cinema, which led the nominations in this year's Asian Film Awards, also took home the awards, Best Director (Na Hong-jin for "The Wailing") and Best Composer (Mowg for "The Age of Shadows").
Meanwhile, Chinese actress Lin Yun (known by her English name, Jelly Lin), received the Rising Star of Asia award. Her young big screen career, which only started in 2016's record-breaking film "The Mermaid," includes starring in "L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties" and in Stephen Chow- and Tsui Hark-helmed "Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back."
Tsui was handed out the ceremony's Lifetime Achievement award for his meritorious contribution to Asian cinema. The Vietnam-born film prodigy built his career in Hong Kong and is now a major icon in mainland China. Dubbed as "one of the masters of Asian cinematography," his works include "Once Upon a Time in China" and "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate."
Completing the list of the 11th Asian Film Awards winners are Japan's Asano Tadanobu (Best Actor for "Harmonium) and Ohya Tetsuo (Best Visual Effects for "Shin Godzilla"), Lee Chatametikool and Natalie Soh (Best Editing for the Singaporean film "Apprentice), Lam Suet (Best Supporting Actor for "Trivisa"), Fang Tao and Hao Zhiyu (Best Sound for "Crosscurrent") and Sammi Cheng (Excellence in Asian Cinema).
This year's panel of judges was headed by renowned Chinese director Jia Zhangke.