Viva Erotica

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.

"May's initial supportive attitude predictably turns sour, not on account of that Sing is making a depraved picture, but a woman's sensitive insecurity and the frustration spawned from constant neglect. Meantime, possible snags tamely crops up during the film production, you name it, Sing's clash with his friend-cum-producer Chung (Law Kar-Ying), with the uncooperative Mango, with Boss Wong for sure, even when the film is wrapped, a conflagration nearly becomes its undoing. Like everywhere else, a true film director always has to combat between creating masses-pandering consumer goods or true-to-self artwork, and VIVA EROTICA pointedly foregrounds that self-reflexive awareness. At one point, the acclaimed director Derek Yee (played by Lau Ching-Wan) commits suicide after his latest movie goes belly up, whereas a populist director (a cameo played by Anthony Wong, and is alluded to Wong Jing, the prolific, low-brow schlockmeister who has his heyday at that time) is shown as a brazen scumbag."

read my full review on my blog: cinema omnivore, thanks

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.

"Viva, Erotica" (English title) is a smart, bizarre, entertaining film which plays with genre and the boundaries between parody, drama, and pornography. Never taking itself too seriously--but never content to simply dismiss itself--this movie portrays the emotional life of a Hong Kong director with just the right mix of sentimentality and meta-theatrical humor.

The film will leave you endlessly questioning your own reactions.

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.