GHOST IN THE SHELL, DIR. Rupert Sanders (2017)
Lai Tak Tsuen Road, Tai Hang, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
This movie is based on the Japanese manga first released in 1989, discussing future relationship of human and robot. Mira Killian, the major, was modified to be a cyborg supersoldier, with robotic body and human brain. However, her real memories were deleted to be fully controlled by the counter-terrorism bureau. The movie tells us how she investigated her past and fight against the manipulator behind the scenes. On the way she discovered her background, she follows the address to an apartment occupied by a widowed mother, where Killian used to live. The scene is shotted in Lai Tak Tsuen, one of the first public housing developments in Hong Kong, in 1970s. The apartment in the movie is either Lai Kit Lau or Tak Chuen Lau, Hong Kong’s only two public rental buildings having bicyclindrical design. The building has a history of 44 years but was decorated in 2004 to renovate its appearance.
(left pics are in the film, right pics are in reality)
In the movie, the apartment is decorated in cool toon color, with clean loop corridor and silent atmosphere. Compared with the outside Cyberpunk style buildings, the apartment is super simple and quiet, lack of technology element. On the contrast, in reality, the wall is in warm color, pink and blue, full of rich flavor of life and home. Clothes are hanging outside the room in the corridor, and residents may sometime water the plants growing in the corridor. Compared with other old public houses, Lai Tak Tsuen is relatively more luxury and tidy, it is said that the bathrooms in the units were even equipped with bathtubs, which were considered the highest standard in public estates in HK when they were completed in the 1970s. Lai Tak Tsuen can still be called an elite housing today by its superior location, unique design and well maintenance.
(view from google earth and google street map)
In the movie, it is presented as a cold-style and no-technology place, mainly to fit the background of Killian. Before arrested and modified with robot, she is named Motoko Kusanagi who lives in this place with her mother, and participate in some groups which against the overuse of technology. Compared with outside Cyberpunk, the apartment is just like a perfect escape from technology and back to life. 
Yuen(2000) argues thatHong Kong street view – gigantic sighs and neon lights protruding the space in the air, is perfect for the settings in the manga – society filled with overload information.In contrast of noisy outside, the style of silence in the building, can also express that Motoko is only minority and weak forces in the society, fighting against the modern technology alone. It’s quite interesting that the movie, the building is behind the times, but in reality, Lai Tak Tsuen is regarded as a mansion, which is different with the other two buildings showed in the lecture’s field trip.
— Liu Xiaoyi, 3035637292
Reference:
- Yuen, Wong Kin. “On the Edge of Spaces:” Blade Runner”,” Ghost in the Shell”, and Hong Kong’s Cityscape.” Science Fiction Studies (2000): 1-21.
- 勵德邨：罕見圓柱形屋邨. HK.ULifestyle.com.hk. [2015-05-28]
There are some attempts to compare the space in reality and in the film. Based on these observations, you can further explore their significance in relation to the film. Why do you think particular shots of the building are selected? Do you think that the cylindrical shape of the building is significant in any way with regards to the film? I appreciate how you also collected data using google earth and google maps, but you could make better reference to them in your analysis. The photos are good matches with the selected film stills. Did you take the photos yourself? You could be clearer in stating your fieldwork methods. Finally, you are reminded to cite any references used properly.