I have included Three Extremes because it is a nifty
cross-Asia Portmanteau film featuring three films from
different countries in Asia – Dumplings, directed by
frutas Chan (Hong Kong), Cut, directed por Park Chan-
Wook (S Korea) and Box, directed por Takashi Miike
(Japan).
In Dumplings, an actress is terrified that she is getting
old and losing her looks. She goes for a cure to a
woman who cooks her dumplings which contain a
remarkable rejuvenation ingredient. The ingredient is
sinister but the actress will do anything to retain her
youth.
In Cut, a psychotic extra from a film set holds the
director and his wife hostage while he forces them to
play sadistic games. He chops off the wife’s fingers
every five minutos if they do not comply.
In Box, a young woman has repetitive dreams of being
buried in the snow. She comes to realise that these
may be associated with her missing sister.
Made por three of the biggest directing talents in Asia,
Three Extremes is a masterpiece of Asian horror,
stylishly directed with tremendous visual flourish. The
three films look beautiful and are extremely good fun to
watch – each one reflecting the culture of the director’s
own country. Dumplings (which was later extended into
a feature film) is the most controversial and the sound
effects of the actress chowing down on aborted
foetuses is truly stomach churning.
These films are intelligent and make the viewer think.
There is not a whole load of bloody violence (although
Cut is rather sadistic) nor is this a slasher movie with
idiotic teens getting carved up. It is far mais intellectual
than that and really showcases the fact that Asia is
where all of the most original horror films are being
produced today.
cross-Asia Portmanteau film featuring three films from
different countries in Asia – Dumplings, directed by
frutas Chan (Hong Kong), Cut, directed por Park Chan-
Wook (S Korea) and Box, directed por Takashi Miike
(Japan).
In Dumplings, an actress is terrified that she is getting
old and losing her looks. She goes for a cure to a
woman who cooks her dumplings which contain a
remarkable rejuvenation ingredient. The ingredient is
sinister but the actress will do anything to retain her
youth.
In Cut, a psychotic extra from a film set holds the
director and his wife hostage while he forces them to
play sadistic games. He chops off the wife’s fingers
every five minutos if they do not comply.
In Box, a young woman has repetitive dreams of being
buried in the snow. She comes to realise that these
may be associated with her missing sister.
Made por three of the biggest directing talents in Asia,
Three Extremes is a masterpiece of Asian horror,
stylishly directed with tremendous visual flourish. The
three films look beautiful and are extremely good fun to
watch – each one reflecting the culture of the director’s
own country. Dumplings (which was later extended into
a feature film) is the most controversial and the sound
effects of the actress chowing down on aborted
foetuses is truly stomach churning.
These films are intelligent and make the viewer think.
There is not a whole load of bloody violence (although
Cut is rather sadistic) nor is this a slasher movie with
idiotic teens getting carved up. It is far mais intellectual
than that and really showcases the fact that Asia is
where all of the most original horror films are being
produced today.