CIFF47: PSQ March 22 – April 1, 2023 | Streams April 2 – April 9, 2023

First Night Nerves

Year: 2018
Country: HONG KONG, CHINA
Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
Run Time: 100 minutes

First Night Nerves
First Night Nerves
First Night Nerves
First Night Nerves

Xiuling retired from the spotlight five years ago, but her highly-anticipated return to the stage opposite her long-time rival sets the gossip cycle abuzz. Her co-star, the up-and-coming actress and supermodel, Yuwen, received her first big break when she was chosen for a role over Xiuling, igniting the pair’s unsettled score. While they must collaborate on stage, the two are constantly at odds with one another behind the scenes when it comes to their careers, social lives, and perceived circumstances. Xiuling—talented and refined, who married into a wealthy, connected family—quietly struggles with a complicated friendship and financial ruin left by her deceased husband. On the surface, Yuwen is today’s it-girl, who oozes confidence and cachet. But she battles serious stage fright and memories of a rocky romantic life. In the fun, feisty, drama-laden FIRST NIGHT NERVES, Xiuling and Yuwen must drop the act and find common ground if the show must go on. (In Mandarin and Cantonese with subtitles) —A.B.

CIFF43 Screenings

Wednesday, April 03, 2019 at 4:35 PM

Friday, April 05, 2019 at 8:20 PM

Sidebars
Pan-Asian Cinema
Women of the World

Competition
International Narrative Competition

Director

Director
Stanley Kwan

Born in Hong Kong, Stanley Kwan studied in the Communication Arts department of Baptist College, he then joined TVB as a trainee actor but soon switched to learn production skills. His work has been awarded many times with Hong Kong Film Awards and Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards. In addition to features, Kwan has directed short films, documentaries, and a play that was staged in Hong Kong and London. He has also produced films for several new directors.

Filmography
Nu ren xin (1985), Love Unto Waste (1986), Rouge (1987), Ren zai Niu Yue (1989), Center Stage (1991), Red Rose White Rose (1994), Hold You Tight (1998), The Island Tales (2000), Lan Yu (2001), Everlasting Regret (2005), Showtime (2010), FIRST NIGHT NERVES (2018)

Producers
Katie Kwan, Zhang Qun, Wu Xinxin

Screenwriting
Jimmy Ngai

Cinematography
Wang Boxue

Editing
William Chang, Shirley Yip

Principal Cast
Sammi Cheng, Gigi Leung, Bai Baihe, Angie Chiu

Film Contact
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