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Bong's 'Mother - 2009' Leads AFA Nominations

Director Bong Joon-ho's "Mother - 2009" scored six nominations, including best film and director, for the fourth Asian Film Awards, the organizer said Friday.

The thriller about maternal love was also nominated for best actress for Kim Hye-ja, best supporting actor for Won Bin, best screenwriter and best editor for Moon Sae-kyoung. It led the nominations along with Teddy Chan's Hong Kong-China co-production film "Bodyguards and Assassins".

Chinese-language films from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan were led the pack with 32 nominations in 14 categories, followed by South Korea with 17 and Japan with 13.

Director Park Chan-wook's Cannes winner "Thirst" was also nominated for best actor for Song Kang-ho. Bae Doo-na was nominated for best actress for her leading role in "Air Doll".

This year's nominations saw a diverse mix of films from over nine countries across Asia, including Iran, India, Vietnam and the Philippines.

"The diversity shows that there are distinctive Asian films that can withstand Hollywood hegemony", Wilfred Wong, chairman of the AFA board of directors, told The Hollywood Reporter. "For example, films from South Korea and Japan stand out with their delicate portrayals of humanity".

Organized by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, the awards will be handed out March 22.

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