I've never seen a Lily Ho film, but the reputation of this movie is pretty much rock solid as far as I know.
Right off the bat, this movie is obviously up my alley. The bidding scene is horrifying, but pales in comparison to the outcome.
The Madam's attentions are also horrifying, but I love fictional abusive lesbian relationships about as much as anything. It feels really uncertain whether Ainu really loves Chun Yi or not, but on a certain level it doesn't matter. The mutual manipulations, the wild-eyed enthusiasm, the physical violence, their unequal relationship, Ainu's services to wealthy patrons, which it pleases Chun Yi to complete because it means she has control over Ainu, and even Ainu's murders, which likewise please Chun Yi because it means Ainu's become more like herself, these things are all a part of the eroticism of this film. The ambiguity, narcissism, and violence of their relationship is the entire driving force of the film, without which everything about it would be more or less senseless and dull. To break that spell before the decisive moment in the final scene would be an outrageous failure.
I really liked the opening shots, and a second time actually, since the opening shots recur midway into the film, along with the angle on the very first shot being reused.
I think other reviewers probably mention this, but it is a pretty shocking film, somewhat feminist in outlook, extremely critical of the patriarchal violence underlying prostitution, and even the failures of "good" men. The ending is an incredible outburst of violence against those who exploit women.
I suppose it makes sense that, if Chun Yi can't go on without Ainu, she can't allow Ainu to go on without her. That useless police chief shows up, having improved nobody's life, having done nothing about any murders, having never personally liberated any women without Ainu's help, and that stupid fuck has the audacity to cry over a woman he was trying to arrest two days ago. I'm sure audiences loved it at the time, though.
"Why, Ainu? Why don't you just listen to me? Ainu, do you know? You're really beautiful. I think I may have fallen for you."
alt. quote: "Even though you've killed me, yet I don't...I don't hate you a bit. Ainu, I...I love you. Could you kiss me once more...before I die?"
I've never seen a Lily Ho film, but the reputation of this movie is pretty much rock solid as far as I know.
Right off the bat, this movie is obviously up my alley. The bidding scene is horrifying, but pales in comparison to the outcome.
The Madam's attentions are also horrifying, but I love fictional abusive lesbian relationships about as much as anything. It feels really uncertain whether Ainu really loves Chun Yi or not, but on a certain level it doesn't matter. The mutual manipulations, the wild-eyed enthusiasm, the physical violence, their unequal relationship, Ainu's services to wealthy patrons, which it pleases Chun Yi to complete because it means she has control over Ainu, and even Ainu's murders, which likewise please Chun Yi because it means Ainu's become more like herself, these things are all a part of the eroticism of this film. The ambiguity, narcissism, and violence of their relationship is the entire driving force of the film, without which everything about it would be more or less senseless and dull. To break that spell before the decisive moment in the final scene would be an outrageous failure.
I really liked the opening shots, and a second time actually, since the opening shots recur midway into the film, along with the angle on the very first shot being reused.
I think other reviewers probably mention this, but it is a pretty shocking film, somewhat feminist in outlook, extremely critical of the patriarchal violence underlying prostitution, and even the failures of "good" men. The ending is an incredible outburst of violence against those who exploit women.
I suppose it makes sense that, if Chun Yi can't go on without Ainu, she can't allow Ainu to go on without her. That useless police chief shows up, having improved nobody's life, having done nothing about any murders, having never personally liberated any women without Ainu's help, and that stupid fuck has the audacity to cry over a woman he was trying to arrest two days ago. I'm sure audiences loved it at the time, though.
"Why, Ainu? Why don't you just listen to me? Ainu, do you know? You're really beautiful. I think I may have fallen for you."
alt. quote: "Even though you've killed me, yet I don't...I don't hate you a bit. Ainu, I...I love you. Could you kiss me once more...before I die?"
