Fan Bingbing’s triumphant return to the awards spotlight took an unexpected and hilarious turn—when her director’s mother mistook her for another famous Taiwanese personality: veteran entertainer Bai Bingbing.
Fresh off her win for Best Actress at the Golden Horse Awards for her gripping role in The Weaving of Mother Earth (《地母》), the Chinese superstar wasn’t able to attend press events in Taiwan. Instead, director Cheang Chi-an (張吉安) led a media gathering on December 19, accompanied by young co-stars Angel Xu (許恩怡) and Pax Bai (白潤音), who portrayed Fan’s children in the film.
During the event, the director recounted a funny incident from filming. He had brought Fan Bingbing to his family home so she could study Taoist rituals like talisman drawing and spiritual cleansing from his father—skills crucial to her character. But the visit took a comedic twist when his mom—an avid viewer of Taiwanese variety shows—excitedly exclaimed upon seeing her: “Oh! So you’re Bai Bingbing!” Leaving Fan Bingbing stunned and only able to reply: “Huh?”
According to Cheang, Fan Bingbing took the mix-up in stride. The moment has since become a cherished behind-the-scenes memory. He praised her dedication, noting how she trained for her role by immersing herself in traditional rituals under his father’s tutelage.
Fan’s performance in The Weaving of Mother Earth—as a widowed farmer raising two children amidst supernatural tragedy—was lauded for its raw emotional power. One scene that especially stood out involved real, “thick and unbroken” tears and snot. Before shooting, Fan even asked the director whether he preferred “drippy” or “thick” snot—a skill she learned from famed melodrama writer Chiung Yao. She nailed the shot in one take, leaving the crew speechless.
Despite her on-screen intensity, co-star Angel Xu described Fan as the first to arrive and last to leave set—always upbeat and dedicated. She also shared a lighter side: Fan wore black face masks on arrival and white ones after wrap, and followed a strict health regimen. Director Cheang tried her clean-eating meals but quipped: “It tasted… raw. Like, not meant for humans.”
The success of The Weaving of Mother Earth has had ripple effects. At the Golden Horse afterparty, actor Austin Lin (林柏宏) even offered himself up as Cheang’s next transformative project, joking: “Director! You can ruin my face too!”
With her Golden Horse trophy temporarily in Malaysia and plans to celebrate with Cheang on New Year’s Eve, Fan Bingbing’s resurgence appears not only award-worthy—but truly unforgettable. Just don’t call her Bai Bingbing.
Sources: ETtoday星光雲
You must be logged in to post a comment.