One of the most famous directors of 'Category III' (X-Rated) Hong Kong erotic films, Ho Fan (b. 1937) enjoyed two distinctive early careers, as award-winning photographer and Shaw Brothers star. Even before joining Shaw Brothers in 1961, his photographs had attracted attention in international competitions, and he entered the studio not as an actor but as an assistant on the Linda Lin Dai film ''The Swallow''. Before long, Ho Fan moved in front of the cameras, most notably as the monk in Shaw Brothers' lusty four-part adaptation of the classic novel ''Journey to the West'', including ''The Monkey Goes West'', ''Princess Iron Fan'' (1966), ''Cave of the Silken Web'' and ''The Land of Many Perfumes''. Ho became a full-time director after leaving Shaw Brothers in 1969, making a name in the erotic field with his experimental film ''Mi'' (1970), which was screened at the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals, and the commercial feature ''Adventure in Denmark'' (1973). Ho Fan's ''Temptation Summary'' (1990) was the first 'Category III' picture to surpass HK$10 million ad the box office. Its sequel and the Veronica Yip sex film ''Hidden Desire'' (both 1991) were less enthusiastically received. Ho Fan moved to America and has only occasionally directed since. From the Celestial DVD release of ''Girl With the Long Hair''.
