The guest of honour is expected at any moment now and, when she finally arrives, resounding applause rings out.
To see Michelle Yeoh, the darling of Malaysia, in the flesh is a rare opportunity that few can boast of. Yet, here she is, as elegant and refined as always.
Yeoh is back in her homeland after many months of travelling the world to accept awards for her critically acclaimed work in “Everything, Everywhere All at Once”.
Just a few days ago, she made headlines for visiting her father’s grave in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak, with Oscar in hand, to honour him during Qingming. Today, she is in the city to speak to the press and, later in the evening, she will be meeting and greeting fans at the nearby Pavilion KL.
Afterwards, she will be heading off to Berjaya Times Square to attend a red-carpet event with her mother, Janet Yeoh. A busy day ahead for Malaysia’s first Academy Award winner indeed!
As expected, those here today have questions aplenty for the star, and she herself has much to say to her fellow Malaysians. “It is really, really, really nice to be back in Malaysia,” she says after greeting all present.
She then goes on to list all the local treats she has been enjoying recently, including her hometown Ipoh’s famous beansprout chicken, and makes a tongue-in-cheek comment on her alleged weight gain.
“It was such an incredible journey, a rollercoaster ride when ‘Everything, Everywhere All at Once’ came out [in March last year],” the 61-year-old shares, calling it a high point in Asian representation in western media.
“There has been so little representation of us, for far too long. I heard the roar of joy, happiness from all across the world to Los Angeles, so I thank all of you for being on that journey with me.”
Yeoh says the film resonates particularly well with the young, with its themes of generational trauma inspiring them to make their voices heard.
“We must learn to communicate with each other. Through the movie, the Daniels managed to start a conversation. Everyone found their own universe, their own moment.”
On what has kept her going throughout her 40-year career, she replies: “You never know what’s around the corner. I’ve been very blessed that I’ve been able to continuously work with very diverse and forward-thinking filmmakers.”
She emphasises the need for women to refuse to conform to stereotypes, calling the idea that women can be past their prime “ridiculous”.
Yeoh also comments on the prospects of a Malaysian film eventually being globally recognised, saying: “When you make a movie, it should be global. I know there are amazing filmmakers from this part of our world.”
“We have to create platforms that will showcase their talent, and local filmmakers should strive to be original and constantly push the boundaries of the art.”
She goes on to share that Malaysia has played a major role in making her who she is. “The beauty of Malaysia is that it is multiracial. That has made me an international, global person.
“Being brought up in an environment like that has made me much more open, giving and accepting. That’s one thing we should all do for each other: accept what we are.”
Asked what she would love to work on next, Yeoh suggests she would be open to taking part in a local production – although she would never want to assume the role of director.
“Directors have no life,” she quips to laughter.
For the Michelle Yeohs of the future, she has these emphatic words of advice: “Don’t become me. Be you! I believe you can all be better.
“My Oscar win is a beacon of hope. It can be done,” she insists, before asserting: “Don’t be me. Be you!”
So, where does she go from here? Yeoh is heading back to London for another film project, although she has plans to return in the middle of the year.
“I believe there’s so much to be done in our part of the world. Everyone, all of us, don’t isolate ourselves. We are collaborators, storytellers. Let us do great things.”