Magic, medicine, cannibalism : the China demon in Hong Kong horror

Yueh Yu, Emilie YEH; Hei Tung, Neda NG

doi:10.5790/hongkong/9789622099722.003.0008

Magic, medicine, cannibalism : the China demon in Hong Kong horror

Yueh Yu, Emilie YEH, Hei Tung, Neda NG

Research output: Book Chapters | Papers in Conference Proceedings › Book Chapter › Research › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This chapter focuses on two signature horror films from Applause Pictures, Three: Going Home (Peter Chan Ho-sun, 2002) and Three Extremes: Dumplings (Fruit Chan, 2004), and analyzes their new treatments of the transgressive ghosts and ghostly bodies. The mythical and ghostly presence of Chinese migrants is central to the narrative of the two horror films, and yet China is not a wholly negative presence when it comes to problems of survival, competition, and ambition. Here China resurfaces as a desirable alternative to overcome aging, illness, and mortality. However, the Chinese cultural legacy, such as with traditional medical practices, is quickly dissolved and transformed into a monstrous invasion and occupation. Horror, in this regard, displaces the backlash against the market economy's preoccupation with youth, beauty, and fitness.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Horror to the extreme : changing boundaries in Asian cinema
Publisher	Hong Kong University Press
Pages	145-159
Number of pages	15
ISBN (Print)	9789622099722
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5790/hongkong/9789622099722.003.0008
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2009
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Aging
Applause Pictures
Ghostly Bodies
Ghosts
Illness
Immortality
Medical Practices
Three Extremes: Dumplings
Three: Going Home

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10.5790/hongkong/9789622099722.003.0008

Cite this

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Magic, medicine, cannibalism : the China demon in Hong Kong horror

Abstract

Keywords

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