Since Japanese horror sensations The Ring and Audition first terrified Western audiences at the turn of the millennium, there’s been a growing appreciation of Asia as the hotbed of the world’s best horror movies.
Over the last decade Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Hong Kong have all produced a steady stream of stylish supernatural thrillers and psychological chillers that have set new benchmarks for cinematic scares. Hollywood soon followed suit, producing high-profile remakes of films like The Ring, Dark Water, The Grudge and The Eye.
With scores of Asian horror titles now available to Western audiences, this Kamera Books edition helps the viewer navigate the eclectic mix of vengeful spooks, yakuza zombies, feuding warlocks and devilish dumplings on offer, discussing the grand themes of Asian horror cinema and the distinctive national histories that give the films their special resonance. Tracing the long and noble tradition of horror stories in eastern cultures, it also delves into some of the folk-tales that have influenced this latest wave of shockers, paying tribute to classic Asian ghost films throughout the ages.
Editorial Reviews
Review
A broad and accessible overview of the national horror cinemas of Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand from the 1950s to the present — Jamil Khader ― Scope: An Online Journal of Film and Television Studies
an excellent read – entertaining, attractively designed and engagingly written — Dave Axbey ―
FrightFest Ezine
The book isn´t for casual readers, however, but rather for serious horror-film fans. That crowd will have a ball reliving some of the genre´s greatest havoc-wreakers — David Pitt ―
Booklist
short and sweet with just enough content to get ‘right’ the kind of information that readers of this genre would seek out. Great job! — Andy Richards ―
Horror News.net
Dumplings made from human embryos. A woman cutting off her fingers. Mutilation by fishhook. Intrigued? Keep reading — Andryn Arithson ―
Bright Lights Film Journal
From the Publisher
We suggest it because:
* It provides an invaluable overview of the best Asian Horror titles currently available in the UK
* Offers fascinating cultural background on the crucial role of the supernatural in Asian folklore, literature and theatre
* Strong appeal to cult/horror fans and students of Asian cinema
* Steady stream of Hollywood Asian horror remakes released The Uninvited, Phone, Old Boy.
About the Author
Andy Richards is a freelance film journalist and television producer. He has written for The Observer, Sight & Sound, Time Out, Uncut,The DVD Stack and Filmfour.com