Name: Leung Cheuk Man, Anson
UID:3036104620
There is an insightful article written by Katarzyna Ancuta in which she explores the cultural significance of Asian ghosts in relation to communal living and urbanization in her article, Communal After-Living: Asian Ghosts and the City. Throughout the book, the author effectively argues that Asian ghost stories reflect a culture that emphasizes the interconnectedness between the living and the dead, and that these ghost stories provide a means for us to connect with the past as well as with the communal afterlife and the world of the dead.
The essay provides an interesting perspective on the subject matter and it is well-written. It is the result of extensive research and analysis, which enables it to be an important contribution to the field of cultural studies as a whole. The article is an interesting read that invites readers to think critically about the complex relationship between ghosts, community, and urbanization in Asian cultures, as well as the complex relationship between ghosts, urbanization, and colonization.
It is enjoyable to read your in-depth analysis of Ancuta’s paper. I would suggest digging deeper into how ghost serves as various metaphors to demonstrate social, spatial, and urban issues. More importantly, the bloom of ghost-themed film in the 20th century has something to do with its social background. This can navigate your further analysis of the specific circumstance in Hong Kong. Similarly, the 1950s-1990s is the “golden age” of monster-genre film in Japan, which is a medium to emphasize the destruction and reconstruction of the city. It might be insightful to discuss by comparing these 2 filmic genres.