Viva Erotica

Well, I expected more from this given the acclaim it gets but it's got that trippy, over the top thing that many Hong Kong movies tend to have and it doesn't agree with me. Watched it for Leslie and to see what Shu Qi's risque scenes were all about. I guess you could say she fitted perfectly into the story and Leslie gets the meatiest role as the lead and we already know he can act. The only thing that lingered with me was Director Yee's gesture and how that affects Sing in a scene and sadly the parallel to the actor's choice a few years later. I can't help feeling it was a little prophetic, but of course we tend to read into things.

This is a story about a director who also happens to be making a Cat III sex film. So it is as much about the director as the actual making of the film. Also it should be noted that while the film (in the film) that's being made is called a porno film, it is softcore and would be R-Rated by USA movie ratings.

This has a number of humorous moments but I wouldn't say too many laugh out loud ones. We also get to see about making a 1990's Hong Kong Cat III film. That by itself is worth watching although of course it is a a fictional account.

Several things to note. First, one of the directors of this actual movie is Derek Yee who plays a role of a currently failed director with much of his bio reflecting his real career. It by itself added some humor. Second, this is the fifth movie role for Shu Qi but her first major starring role before going on to her lengthy & successful career. To American audiences, she's best known for playing in the 2002 movie "The Transporter."

This film is not overly dramatic. It is not over funny. But it is enough of both to be a very entertaining movie.

The late Leslie Cheung plays Sing, a director whose last two films were unsuccessful. In order to shoot his new film, changes would have to be made to the script, namely there would now be erotic elements to it. At first resisting, he realizes it has to be done. The lead actress is Mango, played by the very sexy Shu Qi and, herself not liking what she has to do, eventually comes on board. There are some really fun scenes in this film, and it also has the added bonus of a young Karen Mok playing Sing's increasingly neglected girlfriend. A meditation on the HK film industry, but it could have been from anywhere. You just know these kind of quid pro quos happen all the time in business, why not the film industry? The acting is good throughout. I think it should be required watching for budding film directors and anyone else who wants to be part of the film industry. I think you'll like it.

An out-of-work director agrees to make an erotic film against his will so he can pay the bills. But if he is going to do it, it's going to be HIS way.

I bet that's the one-liner directors Derek Yee and Lo Chi-Leung gave executives that got them the green light.

Viva Erotica is maybe the first serious film that gets away with showing female breasts and still being a magnificent work of art - at least that I know of.

The film satirizes the film industry's (Hong Kong's and global) obsession with sex in a very original way: by making a sex film.

Directors Derek Yee and Lo Chi-Leung also wrote the script, with Ka Man being a third writer. Most of the credit goes to them for the innovative premise and great execution, but the cast doesn't fall short either, especially Leslie Cheung as Kwok-Wing, Karen Mok as Man-Wai, and Shu Qi as Mango (particularly Shu Qi as Mango!).

Simply put: one of the best films I have ever watched.

Enjoyable and likable movie about the making of a soft core sex movie in Hong Kong. Probably gets it's Cat3 rating for one particular scene in a telephone box but there are plenty of sexy, touching, inspiring and thought provoking moments. The film maker has his own personal problems as well as the 'artistic' considerations to deal with. There is also the question of the (lovely) leading lady who wants to do the sex film without nude scenes. Played by Shu Qi in only her second film, this is a very fine performance and much of the film's sparkle emanates from the way she deals with her own coming to terms with the sex scenes. She complains that if she makes her orgasmic scenes more 'real' then people watching will think they are real. Good point and just one of the contradictions in this deceptively simple little film. Returning to that scene in the telephone box, for instance, where in order to get the scene as wanted and on the street, the guy goes at it for real tearing off dress and bra. She 'acts' terrified and the passers by roar approval and disapproval as the sexy 'rape' is enacted before all our eyes. An interesting movie that is well worth a watch.