Malaysian film 'Abang Adik' makes history with 3 wins at Udine Film Festival

This is the first time in the festival's history that a SouthEast Asian film receives the top three prizes at the same time. Photo: Alice BL Durigatto

The first feature film directed by Jin Ong titled Abang Adik has won three top prizes at Far East Film Festival, held in Udine, Italy.

It won the Golden Mulberry audience award, the Black Dragon Critics’ prize, and the White Mulberry Award for best first feature.

According to a report by South China Morning Post, this is the first time in the festival's history that a SouthEast Asian film has won all three prizes at the same time.

Ong – whose full name is Ong Lay Jin, and is based in Taiwan and Malaysia – was present at the festival on April 30 to receive the awards.

In an interview with SCMP, he said: “I feel so happy, honestly. I didn’t expect to win three awards, I thought maybe one, because after the first screening I received a lot of feedback and compliments from the audience. But I got three, which is beyond my expectations."

Earlier in March, Abang Adik was showcased at Switzerland’s 37th Fribourg International Film Festival, where it won two awards – the audience prize and the Ecumenical Jury Award.

Starring Malaysian actor Jack Tan and Taiwanese actor Wu Kang-ren, Abang Adik tells the story of two undocumented men – who may or may not be brothers – living a life of poverty in Malaysia.

Just when an NGO worker arrives to help the brothers get real identity cards, something happens that changes things for the siblings forever.

Ong – the producer of 2017 film Shuttle Life, directed by Tan Seng Kiat – added to SCMP: "The most important thing is to share more stories about Malaysia and ... represent Malaysian films and filmmakers in other countries."

'Abang Adik' stars Malaysian actor Jack Tan (right) and Taiwanese actor Wu Kang-ren. Photo: Handout