Nina Wu

Film description

A visually electrifying psychological drama from the one of the most renowned Asian auteurs. Surprising with its oneiric form and striking with its message, it gained recognition at the Cannes Film Festival, where it had its world premiere.

For 8 years already Nina has been wasting her acting talent on supporting roles in rather unprestigious projects. However, there is a big chance on the horizon: the leading part in a spy thriller set in the 60's. The media predict a spectacular success for the film, but the atmosphere on the set and behind the scenes of the production is more dense than in the plot itself. Psychological pressure and unethical tricks hidden under the guise of an artistic vision lead the protagonist into very dangerous regions.

Midi Z, a director known for auteur semi-documentary films about the fate of migrants, successfully tries his hand at stylish genre cinema. The screenplay was written by his long-term collaborator, Wu Ke-xi, who also plays the title role. She found inspiration for the story in the experiences of actresses all over the world described by the media on the wave of #metoo movement. However, the film goes beyond this theme: it is a tale about a fiercely determined woman fighting for her dreams and standing against adverse structures of power – inside family, on set and in society. The authors reach for cinema classics, seducing with neon lights that bring into mind Kar-wai’s works and surrealist symbolism reminiscent of Kubrick’s films.

Jagoda Murczyńska