The article is about the “aura” of the architecture and the surroundings in urban cities where ghosts are presented, and the way ghosts are illustrated in the movies. I think what the writer said sums up the entire article perfectly, “Ghosts are more visible than the living” There are also continuous comparisons between eastern and western movies in the above points, that show how ghosts are depicted in urban space.
Aura of the architecture
In western horror movies, the protagonist lives in a mansion or an isolated house somewhere in a rural space. People would expect the house to be haunted just by the looks of it. It is nothing but cliché.
However, in contrast, eastern films take place in urban cities, which is more familiar to us. An example would be blocks of tong laus, which are, in general, poorly maintained with moulds growing on stairs and walls, or rusted iron gates. The fact that people living in a cramped urban space are so close yet so distant exemplifies the kind of loneliness and separation between people in urban space as opposed to the physical distance depicted in western movies. In a way, people are living ghosts in each other’s minds, which is somewhat relatable. The pedestrian you came across on the street or your neighbour could have just been a ghost, and we would never realise it because we simply do not care. The aura of the architecture goes to show that even ghosts are more visible than people in urban cities, but then they both exhibit the kind of loneliness that can only be presented in urban cities.
Illustration of ghost
Western movies emphasize how “horror” can be communicated to the audience. For example, in “The Conjuring (2013)”, there are jumpscare and disgusting, bloody scenes that go to show that it is really a horror movie.
Eastern movies, however, focus more on the origin of the ghost, which not only is more complete but also gives depth to the movie. For example, the backstory of the ghost could be related to a socioeconomic crisis or difficulties encountered in modern education or mental issues. It brings us to contemplate the social issues occurring in this urban space, how people next to us could be a victim of the issues, and that we should care about them instead of being indifferent. In this sense, the dedication the ghost has because he dies for it is enough to send shivers down our spine.
Choi Long Hei Matthew 3036060769
You have demonstrated how ghostliness pervade certain architecture in Hong Kong well and compared the nature of ghost stories between Western and Asian films and the different effects it has on the viewer. The irony of close living proximity but an amplified sense of social distance is astute and elicits the psychology of an urban environment.