Korean thriller Mother, directed by Bong Joon-ho, scooped three awards including best film, best screenwriter and best actress for Kim Hye-ja’s performance at the 4th Asian Film Awards (AFAs) on Monday night.

Bong’s The Host swept the first edition of the AFAs in 2007. The screenwriting prize for Mother went to Bong and Park Eun-kyo, whose credits also include well-received comedy Crush And Blush.

Chinese director Lu Chuan’s moving drama about the Nanking massacre, City Of Life And Death, also had a victorious night, taking home both best director and best cinematography for Cao Yu’s black-and-white work.

Hong Kong-China action thriller Bodyguards And Assassinswas awarded best actor for Wang Xueqi and best supporting actor for Nicholas Tse. Malaysia-Hong Kong-Korea co-production At The End Of Daybreak scooped best newcomer for Ng Meng Hui’s performance and best supporting actress for Wai Ying-hung.

Korea also scored in the best visual effects category, which was awarded to Yi Zeon-hyoung for Park Chan-wook’s Thirst.

Christian Lacroix, Anne Dunsford and Wang Chia-Hui were awarded best costume design for Tsai Ming-liang’s Face, which also took best production design for work by Alain-Pascal Housiaux, Patrick Dechesne and Lee Tian Jue. Donatella Versace was in Hong Kong to present the costume design prize.

Johnnie To’s Vengeance also took home a prize for best composer (Lo Ta-yu) while Lee Chatametikool took best editor for Malaysian drama Karaoke.