PETALING JAYA: Malaysian actress Fish Liew made the country proud after clinching the Best Actress trophy at the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA).
The 36-year-old won the award for her role as an artist born with cerebral palsy in the drama Someone Like Me.
In her acceptance speech during the ceremony on Sunday night, Liew thanked voters, as well as the film’s cast and crew, and dedicated the award to her parents for their years of support.
Tipped as the hot favourite, Liew admitted she was overwhelmed by the attention.
“I was really scared of being in the spotlight despite being regarded as the front-runner.
“I’m drawn to things that are my deepest fears, but I just want to give them a try. I believe you live only once,” the Johor-born actress said in her acceptance speech.
She beat Zhang Ziyi (She’s Got No Name), Fala Chen (Peg O’My Heart), Natalie Hsu (My First Of May) and Ma Li (The Dumpling Queen) for the coveted prize.
This is not Liew’s first win at the ceremony, which is Hong Kong’s equivalent of the Oscars.
In 2022, she took home Best Supporting Actress for her role as the late Anita Mui’s sister, Ann, in the biopic Anita.
Meanwhile, Tony Leung Ka Fai won his fifth HKFA statuette when he clinched the Best Actor gong for his role in The Shadow’s Edge.
“This year marks the 44th anniversary of the HKFA, and it’s also my 44th year in the industry,” Leung said during his acceptance speech. “Just being nominated is deeply meaningful to me.”
Leung beat Louis Koo (Behind The Shadows and Back To The Past), Louis Cheung (Golden Boy) and Carlos Chan (Someone Like Me) in the category.
The 68-year-old now ranks second on the all-time winners list, behind the other Tony Leung –
Tony Leung Chiu Wai, who holds the record with six wins.
Other winners of the night included Alex To for Best Supporting Actor and Michelle Wai for Best Supporting Actress.
Ciao UFO was named Best Film, with its director Patrick Leung also winning Best Director.
