My Years of Fear and Trembling

“If you have a daughter, / you will burn her too.”

– Jihyun Yun

Our Project

After writing a novel inspired by her relationship with her mother, Taiwanese-New Zealander Alina Wang must learn how to separate from a complicated and destructive relationship and choose herself.

My Years of Fear and Trembling is a 12-minute coming-of-age surrealist drama that weaves allegory and realism to explore the binds of generation and the burdens passed down through lineage: playing with ideologies of the past, Genesis, and ancient mythology to then refuse them. 

Why is it Important?

The mother-daughter relationship is one of those strange, supercharged relationships a lot of us can relate to (including, of course, me). But the film is also about finding an outlet to sift through difficult experiences. I think a lot of us can relate to writing through things, and in that, letting it go, which is ultimately what writing provides for Alina in the end: is solace, and empathy, and an opportunity to tell her story. 

This is also a film about a Taiwanese family - something I do not see represented much here. Being Taiwanese myself, it is a specific experience and identity that I would love to bring into the New Zealand context - especially in the arts.

My Years of Fear and Trembling illustrates the physical and emotional difficulties of breaking out of a story that is already written: a trauma that has been inherited and burned down through generations but also the importance of ending the cycle. I think that’s an important story to tell. 

– Acacia Wong (Writer / Director)  

About us 

This short film is being made as part of the Masters of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) in Film at Victoria University of Wellington. The crew is made up of students from the 2024 cohort, VUW undergraduates, and other aspiring filmmakers.

What we are Fundraising For

To help our cast and crew bring the vision to life as best we can, we need help from our amazing community! 

Your generous donations will help towards:

• Paying cast and crew 
• Flying actors down from Auckland & accommodation costs 
• Koha for those giving us an extra helping hand 
• Art materials to build out of this world sets (literally) 
• Catering on set 
• Festival entries 
• Other production costs 

By donating to our Boosted, you will be supporting students, the arts, and an incredible project that has a story to be told. 

We thank you so much for anything you can give. No contribution is too little.

The Team 

Writer / Director: Acacia Wong 
Producer: Amelia Walshe 
First Assistant Director: Ben Wagstaff
Director of Photography / Colourist: Mateusz Mendrun 
Sound Recordist / Sound Designer: Sophie Hampson 
Editor: Hamish O’Malley-King 
Composer: Xu Tang
Gaffer: Liam Eagle 
First Assistant Camera: Max Norwood
Second Assistant Camera: Gina Labuschagne
Script Supervisor: Katja Mokha 
Co-Production Designer: Hazel Perigo-Blackburn 
Co-Production Designer: Vjeta Covich 
Set Builder: Nathan Arnott 
Props Design / Construction: Seren Ashmore
Art Assistant: Lauren Hamill