PETALING JAYA: Susan Lankester has brought pride to Malaysia by clinching the Best Actress In A Leading Role laurel at the prestigious Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA) 2024.
The 62-year-old squeezed past New Zealand’s Robyn Malcolm by 0.08 points for her performance in local director Tunku Mona Riza’s Rain Town.
In the movie, she plays a mum named Aileen Choo who has to be the peacekeeper between her adult children and their father, while battling cancer.
However, she keeps the diagnosis to herself in order not to worry her family.
In her acceptance speech, Lankester thanked the AACA for providing a platform that allowed talents to shine on the global stage.
Expressing gratitude to her fellow nominees, she said: “We must keep the work going and raise our voices. Especially women, we need to push for better roles for all of us.”
The Johor-born actress extended her heartfelt appreciation to the cast and crew of Rain Town, as well as director Tunku Mona Riza for entrusting her with the complex role.
“When I auditioned, she said, ‘You know what, Susan? You’re not the first one. I’ve got other ones.’ I was like, ‘And then?’
“But she chose me and we created Aileen, an incredible role that completely tore me apart,” she revealed.
The actress dedicated her award to all mothers enduring silent battles yet finding the strength each day to care for their children.
“To all the women fighting cancer and those who have overcome it, this is for you too,” she remarked.
Lankester also paid tribute to her family for their unwavering support, highlighting the sacrifices of her late mother.
“She is Aileen. I created Aileen because of her, and I wish she was here. I read somewhere that there are four things in life that will completely overwhelm you – music, art, love and loss. The first three will keep you wild and full of passion, but the fourth will make you brave,” she said.
In an interview with StarLifestyle, Lankester spoke of how she personally forked out money to submit her entry for the AACA.
“I asked permission from the producer and paid, filled out the forms, got the video and trailer done and sent it in with my fingers tightly crossed. I needed to prove something to myself and to those who believed in me,” she said.
“I was willing to gamble on myself.”
Lankester was also the National Winner for Best Actress In A Leading Role at the AACA 2024 in September.
Her win then allowed her to advance to the Grand Finals in Singapore on Wednesday.
