This is going to be the last category I’ll be covering for the Hong Kong Film Awards until the actual ceremony. The rest of the categories are mostly technical awards and since I don’t know head from foot about cinematography or what constitutes as best sound design, I don’t want to be pretending like I know what I’m talking about, although that’s pretty much all I do around here anyway. Since I also don’t know the criteria used by the HKFA to determine the Best Original Film  Song, everything said here is pretty much subjective to my own personal taste.

Painted Heart 畫心 [download]
Jane Zhang (Painted Skin)

Probably the most emotionally wrenching of the nominated songs, not only because of Jane Zhang’s trademark ethereal wail, but because she’s singing as Vicky Zhao’s character, who is mourning the loss of her husband Chen Kun, not in death, but to another woman. Any woman who has been cuckolded by their lover/husband/significant other and have experienced the pain of heartbreak can appreciate the metaphorical lyrics of  no longer being able to recognize a lover because his heart has changed.

Heartless Breakup 分手要狠 [download]
Kary Ng (L for Love, L for Lies)

The melody sure sounds lighthearted and chirpy, but man, the lyrics that accompany the music are darn depressing. Complete bait and switch. These are the cynical lessons of love I gleaned from the song: 1) The passion that comes with love brings more pain than happiness 2) A relationship that is not compatible is fruitless and can only cause pain. 3) It’s better to break up sooner rather than later so the pain won’t be so bad. 4) Oh and did I mention that love hurts?

Following Dreams to Fly 隨夢而飛 [download]
Kelly Chen and Leon Lai (An Empress and the Warriors)

Unlike the last two songs, this one advocates love as an upbuilding force, not one that tears down and causes pain like in L for Love L for Lies. Even when the going gets tough, love has the power to triumph over obstacles. Leon Lai and Kelly Chen sure makes one photogenic pair, but their duet does nothing for me, I’m afraid. Oddly, it is Leon Lai who seems to be conveying more emotion in his voice than Kelly when it’s usually the opposite on screen.

Ten Thousand Years of  Prelude Eternal Love 一萬年的序幕 [download]
Angelica Lee (Missing)

This song is the most inscrutable, much like the movie apparently. Something about fish in the ocean and something or other. If that’s supposed to be a metaphor for something, the concept is beyond me. Sang by the lead actress of the movie.

Battle of the Heart 心戰 [download]
Alan (Red Cliff)

Just as the waves are relentless as they collide against the shore, so is Cao Cao and his army on their mission for the emperor’s throne. Another song rich in allegorical meaning, but this time about the price and cost of war. Among the nominees, Alan’s voice is the only one that rivals Jane Zhang’s in its range, power, and emotion. If this is going to be a head-to-head battle between the two, then the tiebreaker would be the lyrics to this song, which departs from the romance-centric themes of the other nominated tracks to use the river as a metaphor of  the unpredictable nature of war, the destructive force that devastates everything in its path, and that what it does not destroy can rise from the ashes like the mythical phoenix, but only if the righteous wins.

Will Win: Battle of the Heart

Should Win: Painted Heart (Jane Zhang is so criminally underrated. I didn’t even know she sang the opening theme to the Liu Yifei’s version of Return of the Condor Heroes until I heard the same ethereal voice in Painted Heart.)

Obligatory Space Filler: Heartless Breakup (Did they need to fill their quota for homegrown HK singers or something?)

Okay, so I’ve decided to scratch my two-parter plan in lieu of a series of installments by devoting one post apiece to each category in the HKFA nominations. That way, it gives me an excuse to post more often and I can also provide ample audio and visual aid to make my post look more purrty, or at least more palatable. So, in other words, instead of a Red Cliff-esque double feature, it’s going to be more like The Gem of Life. Fun!

Best Picture nominations

CJ7, Ip Man, Painted Skin

Red Cliff, The Way We Are

In the Best Picture category, I think it’s going to be close one, despite the presence of Red Cliff.

CJ7 (長江七號)

Fun, but mostly irrelevant. I’m not sure what else to say except it’s definitely not going to win the Best Film award. Sure, it has its momentary doses of the distinctive Stephen Chow comedic delivery and it’ll be the coolest thing if Xu Jiao (the actress who plays the kid) wins Best New Artist (would that make her the youngest winner since the awards’ inception?) because she’s pretty darn good, but Best Film it is not. Best After School Special? Maybe. The alien thing is kind of cute in a way, though.

Ip Man (葉問)

Based loosely on the real life of Wing Chun master Ip Man during the Japanese occupation of World War II, this film panders to the Chinese audience with such blatant nationalistic cheesiness that I felt like I was being culturally sledgehammered. Granted, I anticipated some self-righteous patriotism due to Hong Kong’s burgeoning desire to attract the hefty buying power of the mainland audience, but I didn’t expect to be smacked in the face with it. But to the film’s credit, it wasn’t too biased or ham handed in its portrayal of the Japanese soldiers, although one of them was particularly despicable. He is balanced out by his superior officer, the honorable, charismatic general who fights by the rules, most of the time. We already know the outcome of the movie since Ip Man will survive the war to become Bruce Lee’s master, so the suspense factor is gone, but the film compensates for it with some great action choreography courtesy of Sammo Hung. You can tell it is inherently Sammo-style action when it sacrifices clean, clear-cut moves for bone crunching brawls that may cause involuntary wincing on the part of the viewer. This movie is probably Red Cliff’s stiffest competition for Best Picture, but the flaw that will cost this film the statue is that it barely registers with the audience with its lack of plot conflict and character development, particularly with the hero, Donnie Yen himself, who never seems to lose a fight or his cool. In fact, there was so little tension that I actually started conjuring up some of my own and kept expecting Simon Yam’s character to turn evil and betray Donnie (he does not).

Painted Skin (画皮)

This film really lays it on thick with the overwrought melodrama that is unwarranted for its paper-thin premise to the point where I began to wonder if I was watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy or Painted Skin, which is why I highly doubt it’s going to win. When you think about it, if you were to take out the supernatural aspects, Painted Skin is just the common, soap opera-ish story of a wife trying to expose the third party mistress for who she really is: a wu lei jing (狐狸精). In this case, she really literally IS one. Compared with the broader scope of Red Cliff and even The Way We Are, this film is in over its head competing in this category. But then again, so is CJ7. The special effects were awesome, though.

Red Cliff (赤壁)

Even on the low-quality format in which I saw this film over at crunchyrolls, the visuals were still pretty darn awesome. The sheer scale at which John Woo executes his vision of the battle of Red Cliff is mind-blowing and if the statue is awarded on the basis of effort alone, he deserves it hands down, no questions about it. The most stunning scene in the movie has got to be the panning out of the camera to reveal the strategic turtle formation of Zhou Yu’s (Tony Leung) army and the epic battle that follows, complete with blood, gore and severed limbs. As with all Chinese historical films, a manifest roster is required to keep track of all the players, but all of them perform gamely, even debuting model-turned-actress Lin Chi-ling.

The Way We Are (天水圍的日與夜)

Okay, posting the above screencap probably defeats the very purpose of what The Way We Are is about and the themes it’s trying to convey, because who else in Hong Kong is more larger-than-life than Idy Chan, the woman whom Chow Yun Fat, THE Chow Yun Fat, was once willing to kill himself over because he was that in love with her? The actress forever immortalized in Return of the Condor Heroes, a fantasy epic, which is what this film is not. Besides, she only makes a small cameo appearance. Instead, it is about the everyday lives of people residing in the Tianshuiwai district of Hong Kong as they go about cooking dinner, watching TV, shopping for groceries, working at their jobs and running their errands. If you find yourself falling asleep at my description, then this film is not for you. It almost wasn’t for me either had it not been for the strong, yet low-key, performances that made the movie feel less like a movie and more like a documentary and for the fact that my life is exactly like theirs, right down to the styrofoam alphabet mat that Gwai Jeh and her son have in their shoebox apartment. Okay, maybe not exactly because I don’t know how to play mahjong to save my life and I’m kind of indifferent towards durian. In the end, what makes this film worthy of a nomination is that it reminds us in subtle, dignified ways that life, for most people, is primarily about living from day to day, making human connections, and that while it is possible to survive alone, it takes relationships with family and friends and neighbors to thrive, with the film ending fittingly with the characters and other Hong Kong residents gathering to celebrate the Lantern festivals together. Thematically, this film is probably the strongest among the nominations, but it will lose out to the other, more commercial choices. It has never been director Ann Hui’s prerogative to to make films solely for profitable reasons and that’s what I love and hate about her.

Will Win: Red Cliff

Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Starring: Donnie Yen, Xun Zhou, Wei Zhao, Kun Chen , Betty Su
Release year: 2008
Language: Chinese – Mandarin

CD1
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CD2
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Da tutto il mondo presenti a questa edizione del “Future Film Festival” edizione ‘09, di seguito troverete le anteprime in concorso, ma anche quelle fuori concorso, vi terremo aggiornati sugli sviluppi dell’evento.

Anteprime in concorso

From Inside di John Bergin, USA 2008, Animazione

From Inside si ispira all’omonima graphic novel scritta dallo stesso John Bergin e narra la storia di Cee, una ragazza incinta a bordo di un treno guasto che si fa lentamente strada in uno spoglio paesaggio post- apocalittico. L’alluvione, la guerra, la carestia e un’epidemia mortale affliggono i passeggeri del treno. Cee lotta per scampare a questi pericoli presa dal ricordo del marito scomparso e dall’imminente nascita del figlio.

Idiots and Angels di Bill Plympton, USA 2008, Animazione

Angel è un egoista che bazzica il bar sotto casa per redarguirne gli avventori. Un giorno, Angel si sveglia con un paio di ali che gli spuntano dalla schiena. Le ali lo portano a compiere delle buone azioni, contrarie alla sua natura. Lui cerca disperatamente di liberarsi delle ali benefiche, ma alla si ritrova a lottare contro coloro che considerano le ali come il proprio biglietto per la fortuna e la celebrità.

Igor di Toni Leondis, USA – Francia 2008, Animazione

Parodia del classico film di mostri, il film narra le vicende di un Igor stanco del suo ruolo di umile assistente di laboratorio che sogna di diventare scienziato. Quando il suo crudele maestro tira le cuoia, Igor e la sua banda di mostruosi disadattati portano alla luce un diabolico piano che minaccia il loro mondo.

Martin Fierro – The Movie di Liliana Romero e Norman Ruiz, Argentina 2007, Animazione

Alla fine del Diciannovesimo secolo nella Pampa argentina i proprietari terrieri avanzano verso sud in cerca di terreno per il bestiame, respingendo la tenace resistenza degli Indiani.
Per proteggere le postazioni più interessanti, i gaucho vengono costretti ad estrare nell’esercito. Tra loro l’eroico Martín Fierro che decide di opporsi all’ingiustizia per riacquistare la libertà.

Paco and the Magical Pictures Book di Tetsuya Nakashima, Giappone 2008, Live-action

C’era una volta un ospedale in cui non solo i pazienti, ma anche medici e infermiere erano strambi. In particolare Onuki, un anziano signore. Un giorno Onuki incontra una ragazza di nome Paco, che non è in grado di ricordare nulla per più di un giorno. Onuki per aiutare Paco si fa venire un’idea brillante. Ma poi finirà che…

Painted Skin di Gordon Chan, Cina 2008, Live-action

Di ritorno a casa dopo la battaglia con il proprio esercito, il generale Wang salva Mei-ling, una ragazza bellissima, da un gruppo di banditi. La spedizione la riaccompagna nella cittadina natia di JiangDu dove avvengono morti misteriose. L’assassino è un Demone di nome Yi, ma è Mei-ling la causa. A cacciare Mei-ling arriva Er-long, suo ex amante ed esorcista, scatenando così lo scontro tra uomini e demoni.

Sita Sings the Blues di Nina Paley, USA 2008, Animazione

La dea Sita segue il marito Rama nel suo esilio in una foresta. Qui viene rapita dal perfido re dello Sri Lanka. Resterà fedele al marito, ma sarà esposta a molte tentazioni. Parallelamente Nina, la regista Nina Paley, si trova in una situazione analoga a quella di Sita. Tre ironici burattini indonesiani raccontano l’antica tragedia e la commedia moderna in cui si giustappongono molteplici stili narrativi e visivi.

Storm Rider: Clash of the Evils di Dante Lam, Cina 2008, Animazione

Il Sword Worship Villa, luogo in cui vengono forgiate le spade migliori al mondo, viene soppresso dall’Imperatore, erroneamente convinto che vi fosse stata progettata una rivolta. L’unico sopravvissuto del clan, Jue, scappa e si nasconde. Jue sogna di vendicare il massacro di Sword Worship: per farlo, deve liberare l’arma invincibile della famiglia Ao, la spada di Jue.

Sword of the Stranger di Masahiro Ando, Giappone 2007, Animazione

Lungometraggio animato di azione a carattere storico, Sword of the Stranger è ambientato nel Giappone di cinquecento anni fa e incentrato sulla storia di un elisir di vita eterna. Ed è anche il racconto dell’amicizia tra due persone con un passato tragico, un fiero e potente guerriero “Senzanome” che ha fatto voto di abbandonare la spada e un ragazzo che ha perso i genitori.

20th Century Boys di Yukihiko Tsutsumi, Giappone 2008, Live-action

Kenji, quand’era bambino, giocando con gli altri bambini, scriveva nel Libro della Profezia. Nel 1997, passato qualche anno, Kenji gestisce un negozio di generi alimentary ma un giorno la sua noiosa esistenza viene stravolta. Segue una strana concatenazione di eventi, che riproduce gli avvenimenti descritti nel Libro della Profezia. Il tempo passa, ora siamo al 31 dicembre del 2000, il giorno che il Libro della Profezia indica come quello della morte del genere umano. Sopravviveremo tanto da vedere il Ventunesimo secolo?

Anteprime fuori concorso

e

Follie di mezzanotte

fonte: Future Film Festival

Painted Skin พลิกตำนาน โปเยโปโลเย ( น้องมาสเตอร์ )
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Because I mock things for fun? Parody/recap of the recently released movie Painted Skin, in which lots of hot people starred and abuse of ancient ghost/horror stories was central to the plot.

So, just as a refresher (if you want the entire plot of the original story, please go here):

Vicki Zhao is Pei Rong, wife of Wang Sheng (also foremost cosmetics dealer in the city – hey, people would probably kill for her complexion)
Chen Kun is Wang Sheng, leader of the city troops (and … not much else, as it appears)
Donnie Yen is Pang Yong, a martial arts expert (who really, really likes his rice vodka)
Zhou Xun is Xiao Wei, an innocently beguiling young lady… or is she?
Sun Li is Xia Bing, a demon hunter (it sounds more glorious than it is)
Qi Yuwu plays Xiao Yi, a salamander demon (it means he eats flies, people)

Painted Skin, a parodycap:

In a city far away, where there is lots of sand and tents…

Lecherous man in tent: I shall ravish you and make you mine and other clichéd things of this genre!
Fetching young lady, aka Xiao Wei: Yeah, whatever, seen it before. *takes his heart out* Yuck, did he bathe this week?
Old lech: *bleeds on the coverlets* *is dead*
Wang Sheng: I am cutting my way through the enemy! I could have done like Genghis Khan and chopped the tent supports before setting everything on fire, but you can see how that would not be heroic enough.
Other supporting actors: Dammit, this armour is heavy.
Xiao Wei: Human heart, nom nom.

Wang Sheng: Killing my way into the tent! Waylaying all enemy soldiers! Don’t you just love my dusty chiselled features?
Xiao Wei: I’d hit that, but I am NAKED here.
Wang Sheng: Huh. War booty. *takes*
Director: Excellent, to showcase my curtain choreography skills I must.
Xiao Wei: Welcome to the Land of People Attractive Enough for a Thousand-Year-Old Fox Demon. Population: You!
Wang Sheng: *flourishes* *twirls* *beheads*
Me: Her demonic pheromones brings all the boys to the yard, damn right, they’re better than yours…

Back in a land which the audience hopes is saner…

Pei Rong: Welcome back, dearest husband!
Wang Sheng: Do you like my war booty?
Pei Rong: Are you referring to that ravishing beauty whom everyone is swooning over?
Wang Sheng: *looks shifty* Maybe?
Pei Rong: *sigh* We should do something about that ADHD of yours. Remember that time you brought a puppy home and it gave the majordomo rabies?
Wang Sheng: … ra-bies?
Pei Rong: Massage time, big boy.
Wang Sheng: Bubble bath!
Pei Rong: No, MASSAGE. You’d think they would teach the general of an entire city’s army proper communication skills.
Rubber ducky: SQUEAK. Also, they are most emphatically in love.

Later…

Wang Sheng: Bom … chicka … bow … wow? (A/N: No, seriously, this is one of the most protracted sex scenes I’ve seen in a while. Sensual = slow, apparently.)
Audience: We get it, you’re having se- oooooooooooooh Vicki Zhao’s legs are really nice. Also other bits, we think.
Pei Rong: Well you think it’s your wife but I’m actually that Hot Girl you brought back from the desert!
Wang Sheng: ARGH!
The real Pei Rong: *is actually asleep*
Wang Sheng: Haha, ha… ha. Was not tempted at all. Nope. I love my wife!

Timeline? What timeline?

Wang Sheng: People keep dying. Obviously someone is killing them. Go forth and multiply!
Subordinate comes up and whispers in his ears.
Wang Sheng: OH. I meant, go forth and find that heart-stealing murderer!
All: All hail the leerless feeder!

It’s New Year’s! Who knew? Certainly not the audience, because there is actually no snow on the ground and people are sashaying around in fall clothing…

Pang Yong: Oh therrrrrrrrrrrre was once a lonesome warrior, and he had only his faaaaaaaaaaaaithful steed…
Innkeeper: … Your cash, sir.
Pang Yong: Mah horse should do the trick, you cretinous doorman.
Innkeeper: Okay already, no need to be insulting.
Xia Bing: Oh therrrrrrrrrrrrrre was once an incompetent demon hunter, and she had only her useless knick-knaaaaaaaacks!
Innkeeper: …
Xia Bing: I know. I told the director that showing we are soulmates didn’t have to involve us making the same entrance (and thereby causing Sevenses to think she had aural hallucinations), but did he listen? NO.

Pang Yong: Vodka! Noodle soup! Vodka! Meat! Vodka! Wenches!
Audience: Alcohooooooooooooooooooooooool.
Xia Bing: I’ll have the last of the vodka, thanks.
Innkeeper: But-
Xia Bing: If he wants alcohol tonight, he’s going to have to share.
Audience: Ohoho. Subtle.
Pang Yong: *falls face first in food*
Pei Rong: I can see this is not going to be the most effective demon hunting team ever.
Pang Yong: Anything you desire of me, dearest lady, you shall only have to ask!
Xia Bing: I’m not here, nope, ignore the stranger at the table who could potentially blab all your secrets to the city.
Me: I knew there was a reason Pei Rong and Wang Sheng are together.

Pang Yong: So, what’s up with you? Finally tired of the pretty boy? Ready to throw yourself back into the grizzled but loving arms of yours truly?
Pei Rong: Um, not so much. But how much do you know about demons?
Pang Yong: I hate my life.

In the Land of Flashbacks…

Pei Rong: I cut her with scissors but there was no wound! The customers go all fuzzy-eyed and obey her commands! I had a daoist master check and he confirmed my suspicions, but then the next day he turns up dead and heartless in the town square!
Me: And probably the milk goes sour, she floats when you’re not looking, the compasses go out of whack, and all the wildlife flee the house.
Audience: And to think, Pei Rong didn’t even see the box full of sliced human hearts that Xiao Wei’s demon friend brought in that other night…

Present…

Pang Yong: Maybe they’re all coincidences.
Pei Rong: The killings started right when she got here!
Pang Yong: Okay, I’ll see what I can do.
Pei Rong: Thanks. Here’s some money.
Xia Bing: Oh good, you can pay the tab!
Pang Yong: I hate my life.

A Day In the Life of the Wang Household…

Xiao Wei: I feel pretty, oh, so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright! And I pity any girl who isn’t me tonight. Lalalala~
Audience: Wow, that’s a nice-
Me: Say kimono and I will cut you.
Audience: … er, haircut?
Birds: Chirp!
Ducks: Fooooooooooooooooooood. I mean, quack.
Servants: *fawn*
Men: *peek*
Pei Rong: *facepalm*

A Little Later…

Xia Bing, Pang Yong and random soldier: Wang Sheng, you harbour a demon in your house!
Wang Sheng: Welcome, older brother, into my home! See how happily Pei Rong and I are married?
Xia Bing: Demonesssssssssss!
Xiao Wei: Don’t look at me. I’m completely innocent, I tell you.
Wang Sheng: Surely you are all mistaken.
Pei Rong: I believe them. No, seriously, when have you ever known me to be wrong?
Wang Sheng: You have a point. Examine her and then put her under quarantine then.
All the other men: Noooooo!

Xiao Wei: You say there is a demon’s mark on me but I’m a skin demon so you know what? Perfection.
Me: It’s under her hair.
Pei Rong: Oops.
Xia Bing: Demoness!
Xiao Wei: This is getting old.
Xia Bing: Well, if she doesn’t get the hearts, she’ll turn into an ugly … thing. *hunkers down and waits*
Xiao Yi: I am invisible, alalala, have some hearts, milady.
Xiao Wei: *snerk*

Pang Yong and Xia Bing: *fail at demon hunting*
Xiao Yi: Haha, suckers! Nothing can beat my invisibility cloak.
Hermione Granger: I feel compelled at this juncture to point out that you are in fact a chameleon demon and thus blend into the background. No cloaking for you.
Xiao Yi: Awww.
Everyone: Hey, that Pang Yong dude looks like he’s rilly strong and good at killing people.

10 seconds later:
Everyone: Pang Yong’s the demon!
Pei Rong: *facepalm*

House of Only Half-Hearted Sin…

Pei Rong: Okay, Xiao Wei, I’m sorry for accusing you for being a demon, and I really liked you before, let’s go back to sisterly devot- are you paying attention to me?
Xiao Wei: Hey, hey, you, you, I don’t like your wife, no way, no way, I think you need a new one.
Wang Sheng: Um…
Xiao Wei: You’re so fine, I want you mine!
Pei Rong: I see this is not going to be the most subtle extra-marital affair.
Xiao Wei: Seriously, you could do so much better.
Wang Sheng: I love my wife! *flees with Pei Rong*
Xiao Wei: Aw damn, foiled.

Pei Rong: Hey, you totally do dig Xiao Wei. I won’t mind if you take her as a second wife.
Westerners: BIGAMY?!?!
Me: She’s lying about being okay with it. Also, read history, it helps.
Wang Sheng: Dude, I was so totally trying to come onto you. We are in bed. Is nothing sacred?
Pei Rong: Seriously, if you like her that much, just take her.
Wang Sheng: She’s not a demon.
Me: They’re doing that married couple thing of talking about completely different things at the same time, aren’t they?

Wang Sheng: Hot damn! A naked girl in a pool!
Xiao Wei: See, told you it was love.
Wang Sheng: Must. Not. Succumb.
Xiao Wei: I’ll take you to the candy shop…
Wang Sheng: What? No! I didn’t ask for sexy talk! Omg, room service!

Wang Sheng: Oh thank god that was a nightmare too. I still love my wife. Sort of. Will go for a walk in the night to calm self.
Me: Why am I not surprised that he ends up right in front of Xiao Wei’s door? *facepalm*
Xiao Wei: Yay my voodoo charms worked! Now for my real talents, which coincidentally cannot be mentioned in polite company.
Pei Rong: Guys if you are going to sleep with each other at least SHUT THE DOOR.
Wang Sheng: You have no faith in meeeeeeeee! *flounces off*
Pei Rong: Sorry, he has ADHD, brb.
Xiao Wei: Foiled, again.

Pei Rong: Just marry her, dammit.
Wang Sheng: I don’t love her!
Pei Rong: LIAR.
Wang Sheng: I ANGST PRETTILY AT THIS LACK OF TRUST.
Me: Dudes, stop digging yourselves into a bigger hole.

Pei Rong: Hey little sister, don’t worry, I’ll talk him around OMG WTH YOU’RE PEELING YOUR SKIN OFF.
Xiao Wei: Why yes, I am actually a demon, what a surprise! Hee.
Pei Rong: What do you want with my husband?
Xiao Wei: What does every demon want with a virile, handsome man? *puts skin back on*

Xiao Wei: Hey, random soldier!
Random soldier: OMG IT’S XIAO WEI MAY I HAVE YOUR SIGNATURE AND POSSIBLY LICK YOUR EAR?
Pei Rong: Um, no, bad idea!
Xiao Wei: Mmm, heart.
Random soldier: OH SHIIII- *dies*
Pei Rong: !!!
Xiao Wei: Hee.

Pei Rong: If I promise to die will you leave my husband alone?
Xiao Wei: Would you do this if you didn’t think your husband loved me?
Pei Rong: Probably not. But I will trust a murderous demon to keep her word and not kill people after I die and no one actually knows it’s a demon.
Xiao Wei: Stupid, but I don’t care. Have some poison, and make sure to tell everyone you’re the demon before you die.
Pei Rong: *turns into white-haired demon look-alike*
Audience: *facepalm*

Household: OMGWTFBBQsauce!
Everyone else: Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel de demonesssssssssss!
Wang Sheng: Busy sulking, go away.
Pang Yong: I’m in your city, saving your wife.
Xia Bing: Hey!
Pang Yong: With my cute boyish friend.

A Mysterious Cavern…

Pei Rong: Tell… him… I…
Pang Yong: Damn, woman, why’d you drink that poison?
Xia Bing: Time to use Anduril Demonsbane my grandfather’s sword.
Soldiers: This is not going to be the most subtle demonslaying expedition ever.
Wang Sheng: Back, you philistines.

Pei Rong: Live… happily… with… her…
Wang Sheng: *headdesk*
Pei Rong: I’m… serious…
Wang Sheng: Just tell me this – are you the demoness?
Pei Rong: …yes…
Pang Yong: She’s lying!
Wang Sheng: Even if you are a demoness, I still love you. I’ll always love you.
Pei Rong: I can die happy now. *stabs self through stomach with Wang Sheng’s sword*
Wang Sheng: *sob*
Xiao Wei: Somehow this is not how I planned it.

Pang Yong: You IDIOTS! *hacks his blade through Xiao Wei’s shoulder*
People: Huh. She’s not dead or bleeding or anything.
Wang Sheng: Give her back, give her back to me! *stabs*
Xiao Wei: Well, shit.
Wang Sheng: No, seriously, give her back. *stabs himself*
My phone: Thank you for calling the Hotline for Romeo-esque Stupidity, please hold, a representative will speak to you shortly.
Xiao Wei: Dammit, he really did kill himself.
Audience: CGI! Also, now she looks like a demoness.
Xiao Yi: Are you just giving your life force out now? Cause I could use some.
Xiao Wei: Hey! Give my life force back!

Pang Yong and Xia Bing: Goshdarnit, we just ran a marathon, and now we have to fight demons?
Fighting: *involves a lot of wires*
People: *die*
Xiao Wei: Eww, dust.
Pang Yong: Kill the demon!
Xiao Yi: Not if I grab you first!
Xia Bing: The sword will kill you too, you know that?
Pang Yong: *impales self and demon*
Xia Bing: WAAAAAAAH DEATH.

Xiao Wei: I will gather the life force and then spread it like Dust falling rain.
Pei Rong, Wang Sheng, Pang Yong and assorted soldiers: *are not dead anymore*
Deus ex machina: Phew.
Xiao Wei: *disintegrates into either a flock of moths or really agile, flying maggots. I’ll go with the first one, thanks*

And they lived on in this small but happy piece of … not forever!

Pei Rong and Wang Sheng: Ta, Pang Yong, and try to come back in one piece next year.
Pang Yong: Wang Sheng, you are so pwned.
Wang Sheng: Shut up.
Xia Bing: You done staring at your ex yet?
Pang Yong: Let’s voyage!

The land of sand, sand, and more sand…

White fox: I watch you winsomely!

End movie.

Moral: Because true love means killing yourself at random times!
Audience: Wait, what?
Me: I know.

Commentary/Rambling:

－ Trivia: Apparently it’s very well known that Vicki Zhao and Chen Kun (wife and husband, respectively) are really good friends, and during filming, especially during the sexing, they would burst into unrepentant laughter or sit-ups and had many, many NGs. At one point Chen Kun even declared that it was impossible for him to treat Vicki with passion (and also for Zhou Xun to do the same for him, lol). Is that why they’re so restrained on set, hmm? And here I thought it was just the voluminous robes. (Which, by the way, are not kimono.)

- It could have been so much more, but ya know, that’s the story with almost everything these days. *sigh* At least I had lots of giggling opportunities as I wrote this, yo.

- Now, I may not be the foremost authority on movies, but even I know that this movie does not belong in the same category as The Notebook, Lady Chatterley, and Knocked Up. Incidentally, Imdb suggests all of these movies if you liked Painted Skin. Imdb = fail. Also? Spell the movie by the right name, dammit.

- Hope you enjoyed!

Sevenses

ดูเผินๆ แล้ว Painted Skin คงถูกจัดไว้ในกลุ่ม หนังจีนอลังการงานสร้าง อีกเรื่อง ที่พยายามขายงานสร้างอันใหญ่โต การออกแบบที่สวยงาม เนื้อหาแนวพยายามลุ่มลึก ปรัชญาประเภทตื้นเขิน แต่พยายามอธิบายให้เป็นเรื่องยาก โชคดีที่ Painted Skin ไม่ได้เดินทางไปในแนวนั้น

กอร์ดอน ชาน ผู้กำกับมือเก๋าจากฮ่องกง สร้างหนังเรื่องนี้ออกมาแบบแนวหนังพาณิชฮ่องกงแท้ๆ ผสม อารมณ์หลากหลายแนว คิวบู๊สุดเฉียบ เรื่องรักสามเส้า และสเปลเชี่ยวเอฟเฟคเหนือจริง

Painted Skin เป็นงานที่ดัดแปลงมาจากงานเขียน แนวเรื่องสั้นลึกลับของนักเขียนเมื่อ 400 ปีก่อนนาม ฝูสงหลิง (เจ้าของเรื่องที่เคยถูกดัดแปลงเป็น A Chinese Ghost Story หรือ โปเยโปโลเย มาแล้ว) ที่เรื่องราวประกอบ ไปด้วยองค์ประกอบแบบ ฝูสงหลิง ทุกประการ คุณชายหนุ่มเจ้าเสน่ห์ ปีศาจสาวแสนสวย นักพรต ปราบปีศาจ และคฤหาสถ์หลังใหญ่ ที่ซ่อนเอาไว้ด้วยลึกลับบางประการ

ในทะเลทราย กองทัพที่นำมาโดยแม่ทัพหนุ่ม หวังเซิง (เฉินคุน) เดินทางรอนแรมมาพอสมควร จนได้พบกับเป้าหมาย ของพวกเขาแล้ว ค่ายพักแรมของของพวกคนเถื่อนนอกด่าน เกิดการต่อสู้ครั้งใหญ่ขึ้น หวังเซิง บุกเข้าไปในเต้นที่ใหญ่ที่สุดเพื่อหวังสังหาร ผู้นำของพวกมัน เขากลับได้พบ สาวงาม สภาพเกือบเปลือย อยู่บนเตียง ร่างกายที่ขาวดังหิมะ ถูกแวดล้อมซ่องโจรอันสกปรก และคราบเลือดจากศพของแม่ทัพฝ่ายตรงข้าม

หญิงสาวนามว่า เสี่ยวเหว่ย (โจวซุน) ที่ไร้ญาติขาดมิตร ลูกสาวของพ่อค้าผ้าไหมผู้ครอบครัวถูกสังหารจนสิ้น นางได้รับการช่วยเหลือ จาก หวังเซิง และนำกลับมสู่บ้านของเขาด้วย หญิงสาวสิ้นไร้ไม้ตอก ก็อาศัยอยู่ในบ้านตระกูลหวังนับแต่บัดนั้น ภรรยาสาวน้ำใจงามของ หวังเซิง นามว่า เพ่ยหรง (เจ้าเหว่ย) เองก็ไม่ได้กล่าวทัดทานอะไร

แต่หลังจากนั้นก็เกิดเรื่องราวแปลกประหลาดขึ้นมากมาย มีคนในเมืองเสียชีวิตอย่างลึกลับ  ศพถูกขวักหัวใจออกไปอย่างน่าสงสัย มือสังหารลึกลับผู้ลงมือ เป็นผู้มีวิชากำลังภายใน สูงส่งเหมือนไม่ใช่คน ในเวลาเดียวกัน ผู้คนต่างหลงเสน่ห์แม่นาง เสี่ยวเหว่ย ผู้ลึกลับที่ดูเหมือนว่าจะมีพลังเสน่ห์อันรุนแรง เกินความธรรมดา ทั้งหญิงและชาย เหล่าบรรดาทหารแม่ทัพนายกอง รวมไปถึง คุณชาย หวังเซิง

เวลายิ่งนานเข้าก็เกิดความไม่น่าไว้วางใจเกี่ยวกับ หญิงสาวคนใหม่ในบ้านมากยิ่งขึ้น ฮูหยินของบ้าน ดูจะเป็นคนที่สงสัยในตัวหญิงสาวคนนี้มากที่สุด จนกระทั่งปักใจเชื่อว่า นางเป็นปีศาจจำแลงอย่างแน่นอน เพ่ยหรง นำเรื่องดังกล่าวไปปรึกษา อดีตเพื่อนเก่าอย่าง พังหยง (เจิ้งจื่อตัน) ทหารหนุ่มผู้เยี่ยมยุทธอดีตผู้บังคับบัญชาของ หวังเซิง เมื่อครั้งหนึ่งนานมาแล้ว

พังหยงเองก็ไม่ได้ปักใจเชื่อเรื่องราวดังกล่าวมากนัก แต่เขาก็เริ่มดำเนินการติดตาม สืบสวนเรื่องราวที่เกิดขึ้นในเมือง เขาได้พบกับสาวน้อยที่แต่งตัวเป็นชาย แม่นางเสียะปิง (ชุนหลี่) ที่ตัวอ้างว่าเป็นนักพรตเต๋าปราบปีศาจ ทั้งสองร่วมมือกันพิสูจน์หาความจริง แต่ก็ดูเหมือนว่าเบาแสต่างๆ กลับถูกลบล้างโดย เสี่ยวเหว่ย ได้อย่างง่ายดาย แต่อย่างน้อยจอมยุทธหนุ่มก็เริ่มเชื่อแล้วว่า มีปีศาจอยู่ในเมืองแห่งนี้จริงๆ

ในเวลาเดียวกัน การมาของ พังหยง ที่ควรจะเป็นการช่วยเหลือ แท้จริงแล้วกลับยิ่งทำให้สถานการณ์เลวร้ายขึ้นไปอีก ความสัมพันธ์ครั้งเก่าก่อนของเขาที่มีต่อ เพ่ยหรง ปะทุขึ้นมาอีกครั้ง อย่างน้อยในสายตาของสามีนางอย่าง คุณชายหวังเซิง ความหึงหวง และหวาดระแวง ทำให้ความจงรักภักดีต่อภรรยาเริ่มสั้นคลอน และก็ถือเป็นโอกาศอันดีของนางปีศาจสาว

นางปีศาจจิ้งจอก ที่อาศัยเนื้อหนังของมนุษย์ในการปลอมแปลง นางและปีศาจกิ้งก้า วางแผนรวมหัวกัน นางแทรกซึมเข้ามาในสังคมมนุษย์เพื่อ หลอกกินหัวใจ แต่เมื่อความลับเริ่มแพร่งพลาย นางปีศาจจึงไม่อาจทนรอได้อีกต่อไป ….

พระเอกหนุ่มนักบู๊ เจิ้งจื่อตัน หรือ ดอนนี่ เยน ปรากฏตัวเป็นครั้งที่สองของปีนี้ (แน่นอนว่าไม่ใช่ครั้งสุดท้ายแน่) ก็ถือว่าไม่ได้บ่อยอะไรมาก แต่เมื่อประเมินว่าหนังแอ็กชั่นฮ่องกงส่วนใหญ่ โดนสัมปทานโดยเฮียแกไปเสียกว่าครึ่งในยุคนี้ สำหรับในหนังเรื่อง Painted Skin ก็ถือเป็นเรื่องดีสำหรับคนขี้เบื่อ เพราะ ดอนนี่ เยน ไม่ได้โผล่มาทุกฉาก เหมือนกับงานเรื่องอื่นๆ ของเขา คิวบู๊ในเรื่องนั้นออกไปในทำนอง โหนสลิงค์ ไล่ล่ากันบนหลังคาบ้าน และโจมตีกันด้วยอาวุธ ทั้งธรรมดาอย่างธวน หอก ดาบ ธนู และอาวุธวิเศษอย่างกระบี่เวทมนตร์อะไรทำนองนั้น

เมื่อหนังไม่ได้เน้นหนักกันไปที่ฉากพะบู๊ ต่อสู้กันตลอดเวลาร้อยยี่สิบนาที แบบหนังบางเรื่อง เนื้อหาส่วนใหญ่ จึงวนเวียนด้วยเรื่องรัก เป็นประเด็นหลัก ที่เผาเวลาส่วนใหญ่ของหนังไป และจะว่าไปแล้ว ก็เป็นรักสามเส้าที่ บานปลายแตกวงกลายเป็น 4 – 5 เส้าเลยทีเดียว

ความรักในหนังไม่ได้นำเสนอแต่ในแง่มุมความดีงาม แต่หมายรวมถึง ความหึงหวง การหลอกใช้ และความหวาดระแวง จนหมดสิ้นความไว้วางใจให้แก่กัน ที่ถูกบ่มเพราะในจิตใจของมนุษย์ ปีศาจอย่างเสี่ยวเหว่ย อาศัยช่องว่างตรงนี้ ใช้เสน่ห์ และความลุ่มหลงให้เป็นผลประโยชน์ ในการหลอกล่อ สุดด้ายกลับติดกับดักของตัวเอง แม้แต่ปีศาจ ที่เสพติดความเป็นมนุษย์มากเกินไป ก็พ่ายแพ้ต่อจุดอ่อนแบบเดียวกับมนุษย์เหมือนกัน

Painted Skin เป็นงานที่อาศัยการตัดต่ออันรวดเร็ว มุมกล้องหวือหวา การย้อมสีหนังแบบผิดธรรมชาติ งานสร้างแปลกตา รวมถึงคิวบู๊ เทคนิคพิเศษ และการแต่งหน้า ที่ค่อนข้างแปลกประหลาด หลุดโลก ทั้งหมดส่งผลให้หนังดูดีมีสไตล์ แต่ในทางตรงกันข้าม เทคนิคเหล่านี้ก็ถือว่าทำลายความสมจริง แต่ก็ชดเชยด้วยความบันเทิง และอารมณ์แบบฮ่องกงแท้ๆ

จุดเด่นอันชัดเจนของหนัง ก็คือการรวบรวมดารานักแสดงจากทั้ง ฮ่องกง และจีนแผ่นดินใหญ่ คนที่เด่นจริงๆ และถือเป็นเจ้าของหนัง ไปโดยปริยาย ก็เห็นจะเป็นสองดาราสาว เจ้าเหว่ย และโจวซุน องค์หญิงกำมะลอเจ้าเหว่ย นั้นแจ้งเกิดมากับบท สาวสดใส่ ร่าเริงเกินธรรมดา แสดงความรู้สึกแบบเต็มเปี่ยม ที่ดูตรงกันข้ามโดยสิ้นเชิงกับภรรยาสาว ผู้ชอกช้ำ และเก็บความรู้สึกเจ็บปวดไว้ตลอดเวลา ฉากเผชิญหน้ากันของสาวทั้งสองคน ก็กลายเป็นไฮไลท์สำคัญของหนัง เรียกว่าเกินหน้าเกินตา คิวบู๊ในเรื่องไปเลยทีเดียว

ส่วนสาว โจวซุน นั้น สามารถประกาศอย่างเป็นทางการ กับหนังเรื่องนี้ได้เลยว่า เธอคืออันดับหนึ่งของดาราสาว จากจีนแผ่นดินใหญ่ (โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งในช่วง พักงานของจางจื่ออี้ และกงลี่ ที่หนีไปรับบทรอง ในหนังไร้ความน่าสนใจยังอเมริกา) บทปีศาจสาวเต็มไปด้วยความซับซ้อน และลับลมคมใน บทจะดูน่าเห็นใจ ที่เธอต้องการความรัก ต้องการชีวิต ก็แทบจะทำให้เราหลงคิด ไปได้ว่านางจิ้งจอกได้กลายเป็นคนไปแล้วจริงๆ แต่เผลอชั่วอึดใจ เธอก็กลับมาเป็นนางมารไร้ใจ ได้ในชั่วพริบตา

ดาราหนุ่มเฉินคุนยังดูหล่อเหมือนเดิม บทชายหนุ่มรูปงาม พูดน้อยทรงเสน่ห์ ก็ดูจะไม่ได้แตกต่างอะไรกับที่เขาเคยแสดงมานัก ขณะที่ดาราสาวจากแผ่นดินใหญ่ ชุนหลี่ ดูจะได้พลิกบทบาทโดยสิ้นเชิง จากหญิงสาวชาวนาตาบอดใน Fearless มาเป็นจอมยุทธสาวทอมมาดยียวนได้อย่างน่าเชื่อถือ

Painted Skin ถูกเลือกให้เป็นตัวแทนของฮ่องกง ในการคัดเลือกเข้าประกวด รางวัลภาพยนตร์ภาษาต่างประเทศยอดเยี่ยมของออสการ์ เป็นการเลือกที่สร้างความแปลกใจ ให้กับแวดวงภาพยนตร์ ซึ้งถ้าใครได้ดูตัวหนังจริงๆ แล้ว ก็คงจะยิ่งงงหนักขึ้นไปอีก เพราะหนังดูจะไม่มีแง่มุมอะไร ที่จะไปโดนใจกรรมการเวทีประกวดหนังแบบนั้น

หนังเองอาจจะไม่ได้ดีเด่นอะไรมากมาย มีความไม่ลงตัวอยู่เล็กๆ น้อยๆ (ที่ชัดก็เห็นจะเป็นฉากจบที่ประณีประนอม ไปนิด) แต่โดยรวมแล้ว Painted Skin ก็เป็นหนังที่สร้างความบันเทิงได้อย่างเต็มเปี่ยม หนังมีเทคนิคพิเศษที่ดูทำได้ถึง คิวบู๊แนวสลิงค์ห้อยโหน แบบหนังแฟนตาซี ที่ไม่ได้ใหม่อะไรนัก แต่ก็ดูสนุกดี โดยส่วนตัวเป็นหนังที่ผมไม่ได้คาดหวังอะไรนัก แต่ก็ถือว่าดูแล้ว ชอบพอสมควรนะครับ

• Credits
  บริษัทผู้สร้าง- Big Pictures Ltd.
  บริษัทจัดจำหน่าย- Mei Ah Entertainment Group Ltd. (Hong Kong)
  กำกับ – Gordon Chan Car-Seung, Andy Chin Wing-Keung, Danny Go Lam-Paau
  อำนวยการสร้าง – Hsu Li-Kong
  บทภาพยนตร์ - Pu Song-Ling (Story), Gordon Chan Ka-Seung, Abe Kwong Man-Wai, Lau Ho-Leung
  ตัดต่อ - CHan Ki Hop
  กำกับศิลป์ - Liu Jia Ping, Bill Lui
  ออกแบบเครื่องแต่งกาย - Ng Po Ling
  ดนตรีประกอบ - Ikuro Fujiwara
  ถ่ายภาพ - Artur Wong
  กำกับคิวบู๊ - Tung Wai
  แสดงนำ - Donnie Yen Ji-Dan, Zhou Xun, Vicki Zhao Wei, Aloys Chen, Betty Sun Li, Qi Wuyu
• Rating – 4/5

Tình hình là vừa xem phim này xong. Nhận xét là phim không có gì đặc sắc cả, kinh dị thì chưa tới, tình cảm thì không có gì xúc động, cảnh nóng thì hầu như là không có, võ thuật thì bình thường, chiến đấu cũng không hoành tráng, túm lại là thường thường bậc trung, coi cho biết cũng được, không coi cũng không thấy tiếc đâu Chỉ có 1 cảnh con ma tự lột da đầu mà thôi, nhìn cũng không có gì ghê gớm. Tựa phim đặt là Painted skin so với nội dung của phim thì tớ thấy không ăn nhập. Tớ nghĩ cần đẩy phần rùng rợn lên nhiều nữa thì mới được. Tớ nghĩ đọc truyện còn hấp dẫn hơn là xem phim á Nghe thiên hạ đồn rằng phim có nhiều cảnh nóng phỏng tay nhưng đã bị cắt trước khi đưa ra công chiếu. Mà tớ thấy chẳng có lý do gì để đưa cảnh nóng vào, xây dựng chuyện phim theo hướng kinh dị thì sẽ hấp dẫn hơn. Phim này đang cùng với 67 phim khác tranh nhau ở hạng mục Phim nước ngoài hay nhất tại Oscar (lần thứ mấy quên mịa roài?) diễn ra vào năm sau (?). Thường những phim đoạt Oscar là những phim khó hiểu, kén khán giả, nói chung là chán. Biết đâu Họa Bì lại năm trong diện đó thì xeo

(Ai muốn xem thì vào đọc trong comment, tớ post link trong đó vì không phải link của tớ)

Dưới đây là cốt truyện trong nguyên tác Liêu trai chí dị của Bồ Tùng Linh, khác nhiều với chuyện phim, đọc thấy rờn rợn hơn là xem phim. Vậy thì đọc nhen

Thoáng nhìn La sát hóa Tây Thi

Chỉ cốt nga mi vẽ hợp thời

Tươi đẹp ngoài da thâm độc cốt

Trông đây sắc tướng thấy mà ghê.

Vương Sinh ở Thái Nguyên, sáng sớm đi đường gặp một người con gái ôm chăn áo đi một mình, có vẻ rất khó nhọc. Sinh vội đuổi theo, thì là một cô gái đẹp, tuổi đôi tám, lấy làm ưa thích lắm, hỏi:

“Tại sao còn đêm tối mà lủi thủi đi một mình?”

Nàng nói:

“Người đi đường chẳng giải được nỗi buồn, mất công hỏi làm gì?”

Sinh nói:

“Có việc gì lo buồn? Nếu tôi giúp được, không từ chối.”

Nàng buồn bã mà rằng:

“Cha mẹ tham của bán tôi cho nhà giàu, bị vợ cả quá ghen, sáng tối chửi đánh không thể chịu nổi nên phải trốn đi.”

Sinh nói:

“Nhà tôi cũng không xa, xin mời cô hạ cố.”

Nàng mừng rỡ đi theo. Sinh mang hộ khăn gói, dẫn nàng về nhà. Cô gái nhìn quanh không thấy ai, hỏi:

“Chàng không có người nhà hay sao?”

Sinh đáp:

“Đây là phòng đọc sách.”

Nói:

“Chỗ này tốt lắm. Nếu chàng thương xin giữ kín đừng cho ai biết.”

Sinh nhận lời, bèn cùng nàng giao hoan. Rồi vẫn giấu trong phòng kín, qua mấy ngày mà không ai biết. Sinh ngầm nói cho vợ hay. Vợ họ Trần, có ý ngờ nàng là hầu thiếp của nhà quan, khuyên chồng đuổi đi, Sinh không nghe. Một hôm Sinh ra phố, ngẫu nhiên gặp một đạo sĩ. Nhìn thấy Sinh, liền kinh ngạc hỏi:

“Gặp sự gì vậy?”

Sinh trả lời là không. Đạo sĩ nói:

“Tà khí quấn quýt khắp người, sao lại bảo là không?”

Sinh lại hết sức biện bạch, đạo sĩ bỏ đi mà rằng:

“Mê hoặc thay! Ở đời có người chết đến nơi mà không tỉnh ngộ!”

Sinh thấy lời nói quái lạ hơi nghi, nhưng lại nghĩ: “Nàng đẹp đẽ như thế, sao lại có thể là yêu quái được”.

Cho là đạo sĩ mượn chuyện cầu cúng để kiếm ăn. Một lát, đến thư phòng, thấy cổng đóng không vào được. Sinh nghi, bèn trèo tường vào thấy cửa buồng cũng đóng. Nấp ở ngoài cửa sổ mà nhìn, thấy một con quỷ rất nanh ác, mặt xanh, răng chĩa ra như răng cưa, đang trải một tấm da người ở trên giường, cầm bút vẽ và bôi màu lên, xong rồi quăng bút, cầm tấm da như hình xốc áo rồi khoác vào người, hóa ra một mỹ nhân. Thấy tình trạng ấy, sợ quá khẽ bò lom khom mà ra, vội đi tìm đạo sĩ, không biết là ông ta đi đâu. Tìm khắp nơi thì gặp ở ngoài cổng Đông, vội quỳ xuống xin cứu. Đạo sĩ nói:

“Xin ta trừ bỏ nó thì con quỷ ấy cũng khổ, vì kiếm cái để thay thế, ta cũng không nỡ hại kiếp sống của nó.”

Bèn trao cho Sinh cái phất trần, bảo treo ở cửa buồng ngủ. Lúc chia tay, đạo sĩ hẹn gặp lại Sinh ở miếu Thanh Đế.

Sinh về, không dám vào thư phòng, bèn ngủ ở buồng trong, treo phất trần ở cửa. Vào khoảng canh một, nghe ngoài có tiếng lục đục, chính mình không dám ngó ra, sai vợ ra xem. Trần thị thấy người con gái đến, từ đằng xa nhìn thấy phất trần không dám tiến bước, đứng lại mà nghiến răng, hồi lâu rồi đi. Một chốc quay trở lại, mắng:

“Đạo sĩ dọa ta, nhất định không phải, chẳng lẽ miếng ăn vào miệng rồi lại nhả ra hay sao?”

Đoạn nàng lấy cây phất trần bẻ gãy nát, phá cửa mà vào, trèo lên giường, xé rách bụng Sinh moi lấy quả tim rồi đi. Trần thị kêu cứu, đầy tớ cầm đèn vào soi thì Sinh đã chết, máu ở ngực chảy lênh láng. Trần thị sợ hãi, khóc không thành tiếng.

Sáng hôm sau, sai người đi tìm báo tin cho đạo sĩ, ông nổi giận mắng:

“Ta đã thương nó, mà con quỷ còn dám làm như vậy ư?”

Lập tức theo người em về nhà thì cô gái đã đi đâu mất, ngẩng đầu nhìn quanh bốn phía rồi nói:

“May mà nó trốn chưa xa.”

Hỏi:

“Nhà phía Nam là nhà ai?”

Người em nói:

“Đó là nhà tôi.”

Đạo sĩ nói:

“Hiện nay nó ở nhà ông.”

Người em ngạc nhiên bảo là không có. Đạo sĩ nói:

“Có người nào lạ đến nhà không?”

Đáp:

“Tôi đi ra miếu Thanh Đế nên không biết, để về hỏi đã.”

Đi một lát, trở lại thưa:

“Sáng nay có bà già đến xin làm mướn. Vợ tôi giữ lại, hiện vẫn còn ở đó.”

Đạo sĩ bảo:

“Nó đấy.”

Bèn cùng đi về, cầm thanh kiếm gỗ đứng giữa sân gọi to:

“Nghiệt quỷ đâu? Trả lại phất trần cho ta!”

Mụ già ở trong nhà hoảng hốt, thất sắc, chạy ra cửa toan trốn. Đạo sĩ đuổi theo chém, mụ ngã lăn ra. Tấm da người đứt tuột ra ngoài, hiện nguyên hình con quỷ dữ nằm thở như heo. Đạo sĩ cầm kiếm gỗ chặt đứt đầu, thân nó biến thành một đám khói đặc ùn ùn một đống trên mặt đất. Đạo sĩ lấy ra một cái hồ lô mở nắp, đặt vào trong đám khói, lập tức khói cuồn cuộn chui vào hồ lô như miệng người hút hơi, trong nháy mắt là hết. Đạo sĩ đóng nắp lại cất vào bao. Mọi người xúm vào xem tấm da, thấy chân tay mặt mũi đủ cả. Đạo sĩ cuộn lại như cuộn tranh, cũng bỏ vào bao rồi từ biệt đi.

Trần thị đón ở cổng vái lạy, khóc xin phép hồi sinh cho chồng, đại sĩ từ tạ là không làm nổi. Trần thị càng đau đớn, nằm phục xuống đất không dậy. Đạo sĩ ngẫm nghĩ hồi lâu, rồi nói:

“Thuật của tôi cũng cạn, thực không thể làm cho người chết sống lại. Tôi xin mách cho một người, hoặc giả có thể cứu được, đi cầu tất có hiệu quả.”

Hỏi:

“Ai?”

Nói:

“Ở chợ có người điên thường nằm ở trên đống phân, thử van nài xem, nếu có làm nhục phu nhân cũng chớ có giận.”

Người em vẫn biết có một người ăn mày như thế, bèn từ biệt đạo sĩ cùng chị dâu đi ra chợ. Thấy một người ăn xin ngả nghiêng ca hát ở trên đường, nước mũi rỏ dài ba thước, dơ bẩn không thể tả được. Trần thị quỳ xuống mà tiến đến trước mặt. Người ăn mày cười mà nói:

“Người đẹp yêu ta chăng?”

Trần thị kể rõ nguyên nhân, lại cười lớn mà rằng:

“Người nào cũng làm chồng được, hà tất phải cứu sống hắn?”

Trần thị cố nài nỉ, người ăn mày quát:

“Lạ thay! Người chết mà cứ xin ta cứu làm cho sống lại. Ta là Diêm vương hay sao?”

Giận dữ lấy gậy đánh Trần thị, nàng cố nhịn đau, luôn miệng cầu khẩn. Người ở chợ vây kín như bức tường, có vẻ bất bình thay cho nàng. Người ăn mày khạc đờm dãi ra đầy vốc tay để vào miệng Trần thị, bảo:

“Ăn đi.”

Trần thị mặt đỏ bừng, có vẻ khó chịu. Lại nhớ đến lời dặn của đạo sĩ, bèn cố nuốt, thấy vào trong cổ, vướng như lọn bông gòn, ừng ực mà xuống, ngừng đọng lại ở trong ngực. Người ăn mày cười lớn mà nói:

“Người đẹp yêu ta thay!”

Đoạn đứng dậy đi không ngoảnh lại. Đi theo thấy vào trong miếu, Trần thị khẩn khoản cầu cứu, không thấy đâu nữa, tìm kiếm trước sau tuyệt không có dấu vết. Vừa thẹn vừa oán mà về. Đã thương chồng chết thảm, lại hối phải ăn đờm, vật mình khóc lóc thảm thiết, chỉ muốn chết ngay. Sắp sửa lau máu liệm xác, gia nhân đứng xa mà nhìn, không ai dám lại gần. Trần thị ôm thây chồng, thu vén ruột gan, vừa làm vừa khóc, khóc quá khản cả tiếng, cúi đầu xuống muốn ọe. Bỗng thấy ở trong ngực, cục đờm kết vọt ra, chưa kịp cất đầu lên, nó đã rơi vào trong ngực chồng.

Kinh hãi nhìn xem thì chính là quả tim người, còn phập phồng đập, hơi bốc như khói. Vội vàng lấy hai tay khép kín ngực chồng lại, hết sức ôm và đè lên. Hơi nghỉ một chút là hơi nóng lập tức lại ùn ùn ở vết thương bốc ra. Lấy lụa buộc chặt vết thương lại, tay xoa không ngừng. Xác chết dần dần thấy nóng, lại lấy chăn phủ lên. Đến đêm mở ra coi, bắt đầu có hơi thở. Đến sáng thì Sinh sống lại, nói rằng:

“Bàng hoàng như giấc mộng, chỉ thấy ở tim đau nhói thôi…”

Nhìn vào vết thương, thấy vảy đóng như đồng tiền, dần dần khỏi hẳn.

Yos friends, back from Korea already, but no time to update my blog. The recent financial crisis is making the whole atmosphere dull and gloomy…sad…depressed….That’s why I have been working hard (lest i get sacked) and not been updating my blog…

Korea is ok…took a quite few pix…..send to u all alr…enjoy it~!

Still exhausted from the trip…been playing hermit the past weekend….went to watch “Painted Skin” the past Sunday. I watched the morning show and it was quite shiok as there were very few people….

The movie? so-so lah….some of the plots are crapped, but some of the scenes are nice….I reli admire the acting skills of the china chinese actors/ actress…think they reli acted quite well…esp the emotional scenes, reli touched me….

Btw, i watched Mama Mia before i went Korea. It was not as gd as i expected it to be….i like Meryl Streep, but i have to say that she does not suit the role…it is just too odd to see her acted as somebody like that….N my all-time favourite James Bond – Pierce Brosnan, he too, unconvincing as his role in the movie…just too weird….

Maybe their previous roles (i.e. James Bond and Devil in the Prada) is too deeply encraved in my memory that any other roles seems unfit…

Châu Tấn trong một cảnh “nóng” của “Painted Skin” (Hoạ bì)

Cảnh quay nhạy cảm giữa Châu Tấn và Trần Khôn trong bộ phim “Painted Skin” (Hoạ bì) đã bị cục kiểm duyệt điện ảnh Trung Quốc yêu cầu cắt bỏ vì quá nóng bỏng. Ngay lập tức, cảnh phim này được các fan săn tìm trên mạng.

Trên một số website, các fan bày tỏ sự luyến tiếc khi cảnh “nóng” giữa Châu Tấn và Trần Khôn bị cắt bỏ bởi theo đánh giá của họ, cảnh này được quay khá nghệ thuật. Được biết, trong cảnh quay này, Châu Tấn đã phải nhờ tới người đóng thế.

Painted Skin là bộ phim cổ trang lớn thứ hai trong năm nay của màn ảnh Hoa ngữ sau Xích Bích. Painted Skin bắt đầu được công chiếu tại Hồng Kông từ cuối tháng 9 vừa rồi với những ý kiến trái ngược nhau.

Nhiều ý kiến cho rằng, bộ phim được đầu tư với kinh phí lớn này hơi lạm dụng các cảnh “nóng”. Song, cũng có ý kiến cho rằng, các cảnh quay nhạy cảm trong phim khá nghệ thuật và đẹp mắt.

Bô phim Painted Skin xoay quanh câu chuyện tình tay ba giữa đô úy Vương Sinh (Trần Khôn) và hai người phụ nữ trong bối cảnh thời Tần Hán. Vương Sinh đã cứu được một cô gái tuyệt sắc có tên Tiểu Duy (Châu Tấn) trong một trận hỗn chiến và đưa về nhà mình. Anh không ngờ, Tiểu Duy thực ra chính là yêu quái biến thành. Ả ra sức quyến rũ Vương Sinh hòng lật đổ vị trí của Vương phu nhân (Triệu Vy)…

Sau khi bộ phim ra mắt, nữ diễn viên Châu Tấn đã nhận được nhiều lời khen ngợi từ khán giả bởi khả năng diễn xuất tuyệt vời của cô. Châu Tấn đã khiến cho nhiều khán giả cảm thấy căm ghét nhân vật do cô thể hiện.

Châu Tấn được đánh giá thể hiện xuất sắc vai diễn Tiểu Duy

Một khán giả bày tỏ: “Châu Tấn là một trong những nữ diễn viên đóng vai phản diện xuất sắc nhất mà tôi được xem. Cô ấy vừa khiến cho người ta ghét bỏ mình, vừa khiến người ta thương xót mình”.

Với dàn diễn viên toàn sao như Châu Tấn, Trần Khôn, Triệu Vy, Tôn Lệ, Chân Tử Đơn…, Painted Skin đã nhanh chóng vượt qua cả hai phim đang ăn khác tại Hồng Kông để leo lên vị trí quán quân về doanh thu phòng vé.

Cuối tháng 9 vừa rồi, bộ phim Painted Skin đã được chọn làm phim đại diện cho điện ảnh Hồng Kông tham gia tranh giải Oscar năm 2009. Được biết, bộ phim này sẽ bắt đầu được chiếu tại Việt Nam vào ngày 26/10 tới.

Châu Tấn và Trần Khôn trên tạp chí

Offiiciel (Trung Quốc), tháng 10/2008

Châu Tấn đã khá thành công với vai diễn trong “Painted Skin”

• Theo Dân Trí