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Dr. Wayne Stein> Spring Intersession Dec 16, 2013 — Jan 11, 2014

Vampires and Spooky Encounters of the Weird Types

ENG 4910 / 5910 Chinese Cinematic Vampires

Photo by Reza Delkhosh on Unsplash

It starts with love. . .

I grew up in Asia and love kung fu films that combined the gothic ideas of hell and heaven.

Nothing is permanent, not even heaven or hell, for demons can become saints and kind people can become vampires.

The Karma of Kung Fu

Karma is not about destiny it is about action, for It changes with the weather.

Enjoy my notes from a university class.

Sammo Hung — Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980) (Gui Da Gui 1980)

[embed]Sammo Hung — Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980)

Close Encounters of a Sammo Kind: Of Hungry Ghosts

When Bruce Lee died, Sammo Hung (1952 — ), like other Hong Kong stars, had not yet figured out how to survive in the post-Bruce Lee era.

Sammo had starred in Enter the Dragon, fighting against Bruce Lee in the opening fight sequence. But he saw something unique in the vision of combining humor and horror found in Spiritual Boxer II.

Stephen Tao, an Asian cinematic scholar, acknowledges the impact “The Spiritual Boxer II” (1979) had in Sammo’s Spooky Encounters which initiated a new successful hybrid genre (224).

*Spooky Encounter was directed, co-written, and starred Sammo, who handled the humorous aspects in a more masterful manner than Spiritual Boxer II had done. Sammo proved to be a comic genius like his friend Jackie Chan.*

Tame Impala, JENNIE — Dracula (JENNIE Remix — Music Video)

[embed]Tame Impala, JENNIE — Dracula (JENNIE Remix — Music Video)

The Unlikely and Unholy Triad: Martial Arts, Horror and Comedy

“Spooky Encounters” (1980) initiated the fantasy kung fu ghost films, mixing martial arts and horror with comedy. It was not the first Chinese vampire film, but its success initiated a sequel and other Chinese vampire films. Sammo Hung directed and starred as Courageous Cheung.

This horror/comedy introduced the hopping ghosts that Asian kids loved to imitate. He went on to produce though not star in the successful “Mr. Vampire” film in 1985, which later became a series of popular films.

Sammo created the sequel to “Spooky Kind,” a few years later (1989). Sammo continued to be an important trend setter for Hong Kong Films.

Such films would spawn other films. Tsui Hark would later produce “Zu Warriors of Magic Mountain,” which by the way starred Sammo as the white wizard with long eye brows.

Photo by Jean Vella on Unsplash

Separation of the Soul: hun and p’o

The opening of Spooky Encounter is set during a Hungry Ghost Festival which is a combination of differing religious traditions. In another culture, different religions would be in competition, but in Chinese culture, they are not.

The Hungry Ghost Festival combines three different religions: the Confucian idea of respecting ancestors mixes Buddhist ideas of rebirth and Taoist ideas of the separation of the soul, hun and p’o. For Taoists, the soul is reunited while the person is resurrected.

For Asian directors, an important part of the success of this new bred of vampire films is the addition of these Asian cultural tropes, themes, and philosophies where Taoism mixes with Buddhism.

Add Confucianism and watch a new holy Asian trinity effect.

Thank you for reading. . . Read my mind and hug everyone.

It starts with love. . . Love everyone. Stop the wars

Photo by Banesh Narayanan on Unsplash

Feuilleton of Independent Arts.