Welcome to ‘The Wider Screen’ a series of endorsements of films in the international sphere of cinema. In the past, I have been guilty of ignoring the potential of non-English speaking cinema and as I experience more international films, I can pass them onto you. Oscar Winning Parasite director Bong Joon Ho stated “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films” and in line with this notion, I hope I can do my bit to introduce you to some of the great international films that I have seen.
A Chinese Ghost Story is a Kung-Fu/Wire-Fu inspired ghost
story hailing deep within the Chinese culture. Tsai-Shen is a modest tax collector,
arriving in a small Chinese town to carry out his duties. Due to his job and
status, the locals are unwilling to give him shelter for the night, leaving him
to spend the night in the ghostly Lan Ro temple. There, he comes into contact
with a forthright swordsman - Yen Che-Hsia, who warns him of the temples
haunted past, and the endearing female ghosts that roam the lands of the temple.
Inadvertently, Tsai-Chen meets Hsiao-Tsing, a charming lady whom he falls in
love with. Unfortunately, Hsiao-Tsing is a ghost, imprisoned for all of time by a repulsive
tree spirit with an incredible set of supernatural powers, picking it’s
victims wisely, destroying their lives from within. Each country has it’s own
culture and identity that shines in its cinema, ghosts and supernatural forces
are a conscious part of the Chinese experience, a culture that must be enjoyed
and celebrated.
To the common person in the western world, A Chinese
Ghost story is most likely is on the surface at least pretty insignificant.
But in 1987, it proved to be the most popular of Chinese ghost films both
critically and at the box office. Combining a spooky, supernatural
representation of Chinese Kung-Fu culture, whilst providing an equally romantic
underbelly to the drama. With all of the high-flying battles mixed with an
interesting use of special effects for 1987, A Chinese Ghost Story is a
genuine piece of horror cinema history, changing perceptions about the
conventions that are at play in making a horror film. You don’t need the jump scares that have become
synonymous with 21st century western horror, all you really need is
a theme or antagonist that is either creepy or profoundly terrifying.
Another thing that is extremely refreshing about this film
is it’s strong synth soundtrack. Creating an almost video game like experience
as you uncover the various different characters. Tsai-Chen is followed with enthusiasm,
Hsiao-Tsing is represented with mystery. Establishing a film that is absolutely
intentional in everything it does, from the score to the costume and set design,
there aren’t many better films out there as effective in portraying supernatural elements as A Chinese Ghost Story.
Not only is the film buoyed by its aesthetic choices, it’s quick cut editing style provides an exciting viewing experience for
everyone involved (something regularly found in 1980’s Hong Kong action cinema).
This quick cut editing style has been extensively used by highly acclaimed
director Edgar Wright in many of his films, getting to the root of a scene in
the most effective way possible, and I’m sure he will be the first one to appreciate
the impact of Hong Kong and Asian cinema of the 1980’s in general as a strong
inspiration for the great personality found in films like Baby Driver
(2017) and Hot Fuzz (2007) respectively.
A Chinese Ghost Story is undoubtedly very alternative,
artistic, and probably a bit whacky, but thanks to its enthralling rhythm and frantic
pace, none of these reservations stand out. You are simply enjoying something that
you know is from a different culture, but for whatever reason, you are loving it.
It’s more proof that good cinema really can be a universal language.
Simply put, this is a genuine classic of horror, tragedy,
love and quite brilliant over the top set design. A film that I was introduced
to in a formative period in my life, a film that gets better every time you
view it.
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