Movie spotlight
After years toiling in bit-parts, an actress finally gets her break with a leading role in a spy thriller. The part is challenging, not least because it calls for explicit sex scenes, and the director is often hard on her. But both the industry and the press think the results are sensationally good.
Nina Wu, a struggling actress in Taipei, takes on increasingly compromising roles to support herself and her ailing grandmother. As the lines between her professional life and personal desires blur, she finds herself entangled in a disturbing virtual reality project that begins to mirror her own anxieties and descent into madness. The film explores the exploitation and psychological toll faced by women in the entertainment industry.
Nina Wu garnered significant critical acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of exploitation and its psychological depth. Critics lauded its atmospheric tension and strong performances, particularly from lead actress Ke-Xi Wu. While some found its descent into horror elements challenging, the overall reception highlighted its importance as a commentary on the dark side of the film industry and the struggles of women within it.
Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and potent feminist critique.
Lauded for Ke-Xi Wu's compelling and deeply felt performance.
Noted for its effective blend of psychological thriller and horror elements.
Google audience: Audience reviews frequently highlight the film's disturbing and thought-provoking nature, with many appreciating its exploration of the pressures faced by actresses. Some viewers found the narrative and thematic elements quite intense and unsettling, but generally, it resonated as a powerful and important film.
Selected for the Un Certain Regard section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Awarded Best Actress for Ke-Xi Wu at the Golden Horse Awards.
Director Midi Z drew inspiration for the film from real-life stories of exploitation and the psychological pressures faced by actors, aiming to highlight the often-hidden struggles within the entertainment industry.
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This film does not hold back on unveiling the true face of the film industry, so it's not a pleasant or pretty affair-- but of course, that's not what cinema is about. Film shouldn't be about painting a pretty picture just for the sake of i...