Sayang film receives five Golden Horse Award nominations

The film ‘Sayang’ has secured five nominations at the 63rd Golden Horse Awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, Best New Performer, Best Sound Effects, and Best Visual Effects.

Director Tang Xiang-chu, who spent over 14 years developing this first feature-length fiction film, is nominated for Best Original Screenplay. The film explores themes of multiculturalism and harmony in Malaysia, inspired by Tang’s experiences in the country.

Among the nominees are 19-year-old Mhia Firdaus, who is contending for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a deaf Malay girl who practices Muay Thai. In a notable coincidence, Firdaus’s real-life mother, Farah Ahmad, portrays her mother in the film. Additionally, Nandagopall Mohan has received a Best New Performer nomination for his portrayal of an Indian deaf youth, a role he performed without dialogue, relying instead on physical expression and traditional dance.

The production team expressed that the nominations represent a significant recognition of the film’s focus on diverse cultures and the challenges faced during its long development.