Sik ching nam lui

I remember having heard about this 1996 comedy drama titled "Sik Ching Nam Lui" (aka "Viva Erotica") probably around the late 1990s or early 2000s. However, I never actually managed to get around to watching it, primarily because I never had a copy of the movie. So as I stumbled upon the movie here in 2022, of course I opted to sit down and watch it.

I didn't know that "Sik Ching Nam Lui" was actually having such a rather impressive cast ensemble, and that was definitely something that helped win me over to watch the movie. I mean, you have the likes of Leslie Cheung, Karen Mok, Shu Qi, Ching Wan Lau and Paul Chun on the cast list, so fans of the Hong Kong cinema are definitely in for a treat here in terms of acting talents in the movie.

It should be noted that fans of Shu Qi might actually get a kick out of watching "Sik Ching Nam Lui".

Well, I have to say that while "Sik Ching Nam Lui" was watchable, it just wasn't a particularly outstanding movie experience. Writers Bosco Lam, Chi-Leung Law and Tung-Shing Yee just didn't really impress me with the storyline for this movie. So I can't claim to feel that I have been missing out on a Hong Kong cinema gem here. "Sik Ching Nam Lui" was watchable for what it was, sure, but it just didn't impress me.

At times, it feels like "Sik Ching Nam Lui" is poking fun at the Hong Kong movie industry. I have to say that "Sik Ching Nam Lui" actually somewhat had a foreboding darkness to it, about how director Derek Yee committed suicide and other things, as they somewhat mirrored what fate would later fall upon Leslie Cheung in his real life.

And while "Sik Ching Nam Lui" didn't really prove all that enjoyable to my liking, then I am sure that it is the kind of self-aware and non-too-taking-itself-overly-serious type of movie that will have a solid audience out there.

My rating of "Sik Ching Nam Lui" from directors Tung-Shing Yee and Chi-Leung Law lands on a four out of ten stars.

"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

"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.

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.

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.