Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing won best actress at Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards on Saturday, earning accolades for an uncharacteristic farmer role as she eyes a rebound after a tax evasion scandal wrecked her career.

Fan was the biggest name from China at this year's Golden Horse, dubbed the Chinese-language Oscars, but she was absent from the ceremony, instead giving an acceptance speech over the phone.

In the Malaysian film "Mother Bhumi", the 44-year-old icon delivered what some critics hailed as a breakthrough performance with her portrayal of a widowed farmer and ritual healer, a far cry from her usual glamorous roles.

"When the director was discussing the role with me, he asked me 'Are you willing to let me destroy your face?' I remember answering without hesitation 'F

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