Modern HK horror

[pandsta]

I was wondering if anyone could reccommend recent HK horror flicks that are worth seeing. I have yet to see Abnormal Beauty, but have seen Nightmares on Precint 7, which was poor.

I am particularly interested in whether HK horror/ghost films feature the whole idea of the female ghost out seeking revenge.

My gf had a massive go at me when I suggested that cop/triad related movies dominate the industry.


Is this the case or not?


Thanks for your help!

[Brian Thibodeau]

Personally, I found THE EYE to be a very effective vengeful female ghost story. An effective blending of western style technique (compared to the often silly HK approach to horror) and eastern supernaturalism.

I also thought NEW BLOOD was a rather classy low-budget horror show along the same lines, from a director who wasn't afraid to build a nice atmosphere of dread punctuated with the occasional jolt.

As for Triad movies dominating, I tend to think they sometimes dominate the minds of western fans who often don't have access to the true variety of genres put out by the Hong Kong industry. Certainly, Hong Kong triad (and cop) movies are unique in many ways to the city, and the industry MIGHT have a higher annual percentage of crime films than other cinema regions of the world (particularly during the 80's and 90's), though I'd imagine even that could be argued. Hong Kong has often been too associated with crime and action pictures in the west because that seems to be what gets picked up for distribution over here. A shame, really, because there's plenty of other great films to see...

[pandsta]

Would you say its unfair to describe hk horror as being behind say korean amd jp output? I was watching a vcd called "Ghost Office", it was truly awful. I'm not saying that all kr/jp horrors succeed (kr horror Face was terrible) but in terms of the success of films like Audition, Ju-On, A Tale of Two Sisters, is it true to say that the HK horror genre is playing 'catch up' with the other main east asian cinema industries?

[Mike Thomason]

My gf had a massive go at me when I suggested that cop/triad related movies dominate the industry.

Is this the case or not?

And so she should! Hahaha! Cop/Triad films haven't "dominated" the Hong Kong film industry since the eighties! Circa early nineties it was wuxia and new-wave kungfu, then around mid-nineties the romantic comedy redefined itself as did the localised dramas. If I was going to say anything "dominated" Hong Kong cinema these days, I'd have to say it was...South Korean films!

But seriously...romances and romantic comedies (as well as straight comedies) are far more prevalent in modern HK cinema than anything else. Martial arts, action, and triad/crime films are pretty much a passe thing these days, so I'd say your assessment was perhaps two decades too late. As for HK horror...though it commenced a resurgence after Hideo Nakata's Japanese film THE RING was a big success, HK horror has once again hit a slump period. There was some great stuff around, from the late nineties to early this decade -- but with HK filmmakers looking towards the Mainland as their primary crossover market, and the government imposed censorship therein nixing many more "problematic" themes from the region's films, I think the return of the HK horror film has hit its stride for the time being. You know things are up when the production company for TWINS EFFECT II (EEG) canned making a direct sequel to their first hit, and dropped all supernatural elements from the piece, because they were concerned about losing their Mainland audience (and funding)!

Even Johnnie To recently slammed the HK film industry for wimping out and scotching their mainstay genres of horror and crime, over tailoring existing product towards safer productions that would easily skirt past the Mainland censors. So unless anything changes in the short term, I think things are going to remain quiet on the HK horror scene for the time being...

[Brian Thibodeau]

Would you say its unfair to describe hk horror as being behind say korean amd jp output? I was watching a vcd called "Ghost Office", it was truly awful. I'm not saying that all kr/jp horrors succeed (kr horror Face was terrible) but in terms of the success of films like Audition, Ju-On, A Tale of Two Sisters, is it true to say that the HK horror genre is playing 'catch up' with the other main east asian cinema industries?

I wouldn't say it's unfair per se. Hong Kong cinema has it's own very unique, rich history of horror films that, barring a few titles, have always seemed to play by their own rules when it comes to what's considered "scary," although these conventions generally seem to leave western viewers cold. GHOST OFFICE is one of dozens if not hundreds that I can think of that don't seem designed to jolt the audience or make them queasy as do horror films from other countries. As such, they can seem remarkably behind-the-curve, even puerile, when compared with works from Korea and Japan, not that filmmakers in those countries always pull it off, mind you (but even FACE has some wonderfully jumpy moments, though like so many Korean films, it plays out like the script wasn't finished when they filmed it). Certainly the fact that many new Hong Kong horror films adhere to well-worn formulas that only seem to exist in Hong Kong cinema is a sign that many viewers simply have to attune to Hong Kong horror films rather than Hong Kong horror films attuning to the rest of the world. As I mentioned previous, THE EYE and NEW BLOOD, as well as INNER SENSES and a very small handful of other Hong Kong horror movies, seem to go against tradition by adding a layer of gloss more often associated with Hollywood, Korean and Japanese horror films, as well as utilizing more westernized plotting and cutting techniques to better telegraph suspense, maintain a foreboding atmosphere (without the use of green lights and Helena Law Lan) and more effectively frighten the audience, but even now, such films seem more like exceptions to the Hong Kong rules of horror.

[pandsta]

Thanks for the detailed replies ! I've ordered Inner Senses, and am looking forward to it. Will let you know what i think in due time

[magic-8]

Personally, I hated Inner Senses, too ricdiculous at the end, but definitely The Eye, Visible Secret, Home Sweet Home, Shiver, Magic Cop. Mr. Vampire, The Imp, Kung Fu Zombie, A Chinese Ghost Story are good examples of HK horror.

[MrBooth]

I'd recommend NEW BLOOD... about the only HK horror I've enjoyed of late (but I'm not a horror fan).

[Brian Thibodeau]

Which version of THE IMP, Magic-8?

Personally I like them both, for very different reasons, though I suspect you're referring to the 1981 version, which is quite good, and decidedly unlike most Hong Kong horror of that time or even today.

The newer version of THE IMP, of course, features lots and lots of boobies, and those just never go out of style.

[Dharastra]

Fear is foolish. If you are enlightened, there is no fear. How can it be. It is all in mind. It is like, when you draw scarry pictures(dragons, devils etc.), and you forgot about this and you get frightened.

[Brian Thibodeau]

Fear may be foolish (sometimes), but letting yourself be afraid once in a while, as in surrendering your mind to a scary movie for 90 minutes, can be one hell of a lot of fun, and kind of cathartic while you're at it - in essence, enlightening! I like your approach, though, Dharastra, although I'm not exactly sure what kind of enlightenment you're referring to. Historically, lots of "enlightened" people have given those who don't accept or share their beliefs plenty to be afraid of. Often a double-edged sword, this enlightenment stuff is, but you seem pretty level-headed.

Welcome to the forums, by the way!

[LCanau]

But, by that reasoning isn't most cinema foolish? It's make believe. If you're "rational" you don't get "cheated" by it. Do you reject all sort of emotions generated or intended to be generated by a film?

I also like The Eye (the sequel was entertaining) and New Blood. I didn't like much of Inner Senses and beware because the HK DVD had problems with several DVD players.

As for the comparison with South Korea and Japan, I like very much of a couple of films -- A Tale of Two Sisters and Memento Mori --, which maybe are great more due to the non-horror elements, but most "regular" SK horror I have watched is not very effective.

[Mikestar*]

Despite its trashy name, 'Horror Hotline: Big Head Monster' was a film that suprisingly gets my nod. Not really all that recent, but definitely interesting for those who like horror themed/thriller/mystery type movies.

Also would have to add 'Visible Secret', 'The Stewardess' and a personal cult-favourite of mine, 'Scarred Memory' starring Simon Yam..

[Brian Thibodeau]

HORROR HOTLINE was better than it should have been considering it's concept, but the third-act turn into BLAIR WITCH territory was ill-advised. The fact that the filmmakers shot two endings and, at least on the VCD, gave you the option of picking which one to proceed with, would seem to indicate they never really had a workable ending in the first place. Director Soi Cheang corrected this film's flaws in NEW BLOOD, but HORROR HOTLINE is still worth a look.

THE STEWARDESS is also a phenomenally underrated film, and quite possibly a cult film in the making. It's fairly standard B-movie material enlivened with a surprisingly effective wit and buttressed with just one heartbreaking, humanizing scene, in which the psychotic killer of the title (Seina Kasugai) sits in an airport terminal watching real air hostesses happily living the dream she was denied, barely holding back tears behind a delicate fit of bittersweet laughter. Fantastic film.

[MrBooth]

THE STEWARDESS is a genuine masterpiece, but I wouldn't call it a horror film

[PAUL MARTINEZ]

Am I the only one who liked The Eye 2? I liked part 1 as well but thats about the only HK horror films I thought were any good.

[Mike Thomason]

Am I the only one who liked The Eye 2? I liked part 1 as well but thats about the only HK horror films I thought were any good.

No, Paul, there's me as well -- I actually thought the second film was better than the first.

And I loved the cute little in-joke the Pangs played with Jesdaporn Pholdee's character (the ex-boyfriend, Sam): Pholdee, who is a Thai superstar in his own right, doesn't speak Cantonese...so he was dubbed by Lawrence Chou, who played the clinical psychologist Wah in the first film! It's a clever reference back to the first film, albeit one most would miss...

[fartbubble]

EYE had the better creepy moments, but I thought EYE 2 had the better story. My favorite part of the first two EYE movies was the old man in the elevator inching closer to her, simple idea with great execution. And if you like Memento Morii, you should check out the other (better IMO)two films of the Wispering Corridors series.

[MrBooth]

I liked EYE 2 quite a lot - especially because I got to see it in the cinema when I was in HK.

[hoppingghost]

Abnormal Beauty...

Just watched the nice USA DVD from Tartan an interesting film, O. Pang did a cool job not direct horror but bizarre a bit