Viva Erotica

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.

First, it surprises alot, and I mean Alot. The highest peak of humor falls down revealing bitter torn relationship. It gives you ticket through the wonderland and after the movie you just wish that the ticket was real, but you are grasping air.

Second, where Coen brothers succeeded in Man who wasnt there, Viva erotica is more like neo-purple hk replica, altough not losing its worth for its somekindness. Its fight club meets Blake Edwards, ultimate arc of crossfunctionism.

Even if you liked only one of above reasons, you should most definitely watch this movie. And in the case that you didnt agree either of my opinions, you should give it a try. And if you liked this or have seen this before, I salute you, you have experienced something truly extradimensional mind expanding pure matter. The origin of it all, Humor.

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.

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.