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DEADITOR'S
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| Asian
Horror films and the American Audience |
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-- Unimonster
3.25.04 |
If you asked any horror fan the word on the street, most might tell you that
the only true horror films are those coming from Asia. The Asian influence in
films can be felt over here, as most of the recent horror films to grace our
cinemas
have been remakes of outstanding Asian horror (The Ring, The Grudge, and the
upcoming Dark Water). There is a flare in the movies, a visual style not seen
over here. They view the world different, so their horror is different. And
yes, while at times that 'long black hair' gag loses some of it's creepiness,
it does not stop being effective.
With the exception of just a few films, American horror is seriously lacking
in all departments. Could it have anything to do with the studios demanding more
teen-friendly PG-13 cuts to send out to theaters? (But that's another rant for
another time). Asian horror really seems to have no "rules". It also has none
of the established architecture of our films. There is rarely gratuitous nudity,
graphic sexual encounters, or half baked plot ideas and killers in masks. Asian
horror is about the visual and mental aspects; playing with your mind and scaring
you that way.
While there are too many ghosts and ghost revenge plots in their films, each
new film is so visually different from the last, it almost excuses for some repetition.
The one thing most Asian films are filled with, however, is stomach churning
gore. The non-horror flick "Ichi the Killer" or the serial killer thriller ''Tell
Me Something" are prime examples, and the
rare film "Organ" which had me almost running for a bucket. In a country that
doesn't rely on showing bare bosoms to get people to watch, they use clever plots,
unique plot-twists, and rabid visuals to sell their films.
So many are quick to turn away from Asian horror because of subtitles or not
being able to understand what is going on, which occurs in many of the films
as it does not follow the linear storytelling and editing that we, Americans,
are used to. It's okay to be scared by this, but change and new things are good.
How many people come to me and ask
to see something "really scary" and how many are turned off by the thought of
watching Asian horror films and settle instead on some B-movie retread? It saddens
me.
I believe horror has cycles, through the 80's we suffered with sequel after sequel
of horrid B-movies, and through the early nineties horror had all been stuffed
away in straight-to-video hell. But then the resurgence, with the film "Scream," brought
the pulse back to horror. It's been almost ten years now since that great film
(and all thoughts are
poised on whether Kevin and Wes can do it again in "Cursed"), and horror is once
again treading downward. Sorry to say it, but it is. However, there is hope in
these small, terrifying films from across the seas. I have no problem telling
anyone "The best damn horror is from Asia." So if you haven't already, check
some out for yourself. You will find yourself very surprised at the scares that
await you...And with Tartan Films new Asian Extreme series, hopefully more Asian
gems will be coming our way.
Hyde has spoken...
*special addition to Deaditorial -- Hyde's Top 10 Asian
Must-see horror films!*
10. Phone: a woman's new cell phone is receiving strange calls from the
other side. A truly eerie film with a one-two punch for an ending.
9. Inner Senses: a young woman's being haunted and no one believes her,
until her Doctor starts seeing them too. A quite unnerving ghost film.
8. Uzumaki: An entire town becomes affected by the Uzumaki in a very eerie,
very original horror film. This one just has to be seen, I can't even explain
it.
7. Tomie: Perhaps the strangest Asian horror film I have seen. A story
about young girl who will not die and all the people affected by her. (this one
has spawned 5 sequels and each are as creepy as the first -- or so I am told
as I have not seen all of them...yet)
6. Ringu: Could be billed as the one that started it all, but the story
of little Sadako and her curse tape has made horror film history (and spawned
2 sequels and an a American remake and sequel.)
5. A Tale of Two Sisters: Kim Jee-Woon's terrifying little tale about
a pair of sisters and sinister happenings in their house. This one has some plot
twists that will knock your socks off.
4. Suicide Circle: The second strangest film I have seen on this list
about people all over the city committing suicide and a website that records
it all...before it happens. A tour-de-force of a film, confusing and beautiful
at the same time. One that requires two viewings.
3. JU-ON: The curse of one who dies in a powerful rage and continues to
make bad everything it comes in contact with. An exceptional horror film in its
own right and worthy of a viewing. (Spawned 2 sequels in Japan and an American
remake and rumored sequel.)
2. The Eye: Without a doubt the scariest ghost film I have ever seen...ever!
A young blind woman has an operation to see, and what she sees will scare the
pants off you. The Pang Brothers weave and exceptional ghost story in this visual
film. (Has also created a sequel - not yet released over here. And rumors of
an American remake.)
1. Audition: Takaski Miike's haunting film about a Widower looking for
a new wife, by holding fake auditions for a film that will never be made. He
chooses a young, shy woman and learns not all is it what is seems with her, which
leads to the most stomach churning, jaw dropping final 30 minutes of screen history!
(Only watch the unrated, unedited version of this movie!! Don't cheat yourself
out of this one folks)
Honorable mentions: Cure, Ichi The Killer, Tell Me Something, Dark Water
(only cause I haven't seen it to determine if it's top 10 material), JU-ON 2,
Ringu 2, Ringu 0: Birthday Versus (once again only cause I haven't seen it),
Organ (which if anyone can figure out please let me know). And some many more
unseen treasures.
To discuss this please join the members
forum and reply to the topic - if it's outdated or you can't find it, just
remember to post this so we know what you're
discussing!
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