Hong Kong Film 'First Step' Set for Japan Release! Poster Visual Unveiled! Comment Arrives from Lead Actor Tony Wu!

Salon Japan is pleased to announce that the Hong Kong film 'First Step' (2016) will be sequentially released nationwide in Japan from Friday, August 21, starting at Cinemart Shinjuku, Stranger, and other theaters. Coinciding with this, the poster visual has been unveiled today, and a comment from lead actor Tony Wu has also arrived for the Japanese audience.

### About the Film

This film is the acting debut of Tony Wu (胡子彤), who captivated audiences worldwide in 'Twilight Warriors: Siege of Kowloon Walled City' (2024). As a second baseman for the Hong Kong national baseball team, he brought his athletic physique and realism directly to the screen, marking a vivid cinematic debut. His performance in this film was highly praised, earning him the Best New Performer award at the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards. Will Or (柯煒林), nominated for Best Actor at the 62nd Taiwan Golden Horse Awards for the acclaimed film 'A Guilty Conscience' (to be released in Japan on May 8), also made his debut in this movie. Ten years after its Hong Kong release in 2016, these young men who began their acting careers with this film have grown into leading actors driving the Hong Kong film industry.

At the helm was Steve Chan (陳志發), then 25 years old, making his feature directorial debut. The film had its world premiere at the 40th Hong Kong International Film Festival, received seven nominations and two awards at the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards, and was nominated for Best New Director at the 53rd Taiwan Golden Horse Awards. Despite these accolades, the film had not had a general release in Japan until now. This year, precisely ten years after its Hong Kong premiere, it is finally set for release in Japan.

'First Step' Poster Visual

### Story

In 1984, pre-handover Hong Kong. In Shatin, a new town in the suburbs, Hong Kong's first youth baseball team, the 'Shatin Angels' (沙燕隊), is formed. In Hong Kong, where baseball is not a major sport, the inexperienced and underdog boys begin practicing with balls made of rolled-up newspapers, but suffer a crushing defeat against a Taiwanese elementary school team in their first game. Nevertheless, guided by Principal Lo (盧), strict but caring (played by Liu Kai-chi), the team members gradually grow, centered around childhood friends Ron (阿龍), who is introverted (played by Lam Yiu Sing), and Wai (細威), who is impulsive but loyal (played by Tony Wu). The final showdown against their arch-rivals, the Japan Buffaloes, becomes a stage for them to re-examine their 'past' and 'future' --.

Set in Hong Kong in the early 1980s, this is a youth drama based on a true story, leaving a quiet resonance that transcends the outcome of sports.

### Cast & Staff

Playing Principal Lo, who leads the team and serves as a spiritual pillar for the new cast members, is the renowned late actor Liu Kai-chi (廖啟智), known in the Hong Kong film industry for the saying, 'If Uncle Chi is in it, it's a good film.' This legend, who was nominated eight times and won twice for Best Supporting Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards for works such as 'Infernal Affairs II' (2003) and 'SPL: Kill Zone' (2005), adds a commanding presence to the young talents.

Co-starring with Tony Wu as Wai, Lam Yiu Sing (林耀聲) from 'The Stuntman' (2024) plays Ron. Teammates include Will Or, Khaki Sham (岑珈其) from 'A Lifetime with You' (2021), Himmy Wong (黃定謙) from 'Still Human' (2018), and Locker Lam (林家熙) from 'The Prosecutor' (2024), all of whom made their film debuts in this work. Hedwig Tam (談善言), who played the heroine, was nominated for Best New Performer at the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards alongside Tony Wu.

Supporting the new director Steve Chan were veteran Chan Hing-ka (陳慶嘉) (producer), known for scripts like 'A Better Tomorrow' (1986) and 'Breaking News' (2004), and cinematographer O Sing-pui (柯星沛) (producer, cinematography), known for 'Made in Hong Kong' (1997) and 'Ip Man' (2008). Elites of the Hong Kong film industry, spanning generations, came together for this single production.

### Comment from Lead Actor Tony Wu (胡子彤)

Tony Wu (courtesy of his agency)

Participating in this film was truly a major turning point for me. This work led me to pursue a career as an actor, and I found something I could be passionate about, different from baseball. And most importantly, meeting fellow individuals who love film as much as I do remains a precious treasure to me.

'First Step' is a film that will surely give positive energy to anyone who watches it, no matter the era. Especially when experiencing disappointment or setbacks, this story...