After reading the article ‘Communal After-Living: Asian ghosts and the city,’ I think that the ghost in the film symbolizes the disconnect between the living and the dead, particularly in contemporary urban settings where the two are divided by physical barriers. The concept of “loneliness” is really important in ghost-themed movies. Ghosts in movies can be viewed as a representation of this isolation and the loneliness of contemporary urban life.
Moreover, referring to the article ‘In Search of the Ghostly in Context,’ ghosts are used in Fruit Chan’s films to symbolize both the teenagers’ struggles in today’s urban environments and the loss of traditional Chinese values. In Chan’s perception, ghosts are presented as complex reflections of contemporary society, challenging conventional perceptions of them. The movies examine the complexity of contemporary life and how it relates to traditional values using ghosts as a lens.
In my opinion, I think ghosts created an unsettling atmosphere in the film. And it adds to the mystery and confusion experienced by the character.
Lee Mun, Yeung (3035994949)
Able to summarize the two readings precisely with all the critical concepts introduced in the readings included. However, your personal reflection is too brief. You may try to explore why is it appropriate to use the ‘ghosts’ to create the unsettling ambience and what is the advantage of using them over other methods to discuss the idea of ‘loneliness’ of urban lifestyle.