Viva Erotica

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DanTheMan 2 @DanTheMan2150AD 2d An ode to artistry and perseverance. For a film which revolves around sex, Viva Erotica doesn't feel the least bit sleazy or grimy, instead offering an electrifying meta-filmic takedown of both the absurdity and sensationalism of the world around Category III filmmaking. It throws out the window any typical expectations you have, delivering a provocative satire that pokes fun at the film industry while celebrating the people who keep it running. Although at times, Viva Erotica seems precisely like the soft-core sex flicks it's trying to skewer, starting with a literal bang with one of the most enthusiastic bonking scenes ever witnessed, yet it all comes together in a surprisingly heartfelt examination of filmmaking, artistic compromise and the struggle to survive in a commercial entertainment industry. See more Max A @RT97263949 01/18/2024 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. See more 04/24/2011 Director's self-confession about his career & some sarcastic, in-jokes about how the industry runs. The first 2/3 is so catchy & funny, owing much to the amusing performance by Shu Qi & Law Kar-Ying. The last 1/3 is getting so tiring, loose & sloppy however. See more 09/01/2010 it's not only about ero, but the truth of the film industry and about people See more 07/24/2009 This movie is for those who want to make your own movie of course, and all men and women who never cease to dream. To meet movies like this, Tsui Hark's Shanghai Blues, and Stephen Chow's King of Comedy is the reason I cannot stop watching Hong Kong films. As you can see how many movies that one tiny city produces every year, there are a lot of people who are really enthusiastic about filmmaking in Hong Kong. Top directors, at certain point, make their own autobiographical films, and for Tung-Shing Yee, Viva Erotica is the one. This movie is not perfect, but has energy and passion that can cover all the weakness. Moreover, this movie is full of sense of wonder, and it is the very thing we expect for movies. Being the biggest star of Hong Kong and still doing this kind of role at the same time, Leslie Cheung, I'd say, deserves to be seen as the icon - it was too early for him to finish his life on his own. Karen Mok is cute as usual, but of course, who shines in the film most is Shu Qi. She is the only one who can do this role. I don't see anyone else who can do it. She already succeeds in building up her position in film business here, and thus, she is such a rare talent. See more 04/10/2009 This is a fairly intelligent and enjoyable bit of historical art imitating life. It's Shu Qi's second feature film after Sex and Zen II and marks her transition from soft-core actress to dramatic actress ... she plays an actress who doesn't want to do nude scenes but does them anyway, so there's that. Even though she plays a ditzy chick you can see the intelligence that will eventually propel her to acting fame. It also stars Karen Mok and Leslie Cheung. It's really Cheung's film as he plays a serious director who must make porn to make money. It's funny, insightful, and kind of surreal. See more Read all reviews

Viva Erotica

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