[Reading Response] – Communal After-Living: Asian Ghosts and the City by Katarzyna Ancuta

In this article, Ancuta explores the relationships between ghosts and humans in Asian cities, as well as the three major themes in Asian ‘apartment horror’ films. These themes include the coexistence of ghosts and the living in a contiguous community, the alienation and fear of loneliness in modern urban lifestyles, and the representation of ghosts as symbols of failed economic dreams that drive rural populations to migrate to cities. I want to focus on the loneliness in modern urban lifestyles because it is more relevant to Hong Kong now. Ancuta mentions that the loneliness that the ghosts feel in movies

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[Reading Response] William M. Tsutsui

Oh No, There Goes Tokyo looks into the Japanese obsession with the fictional destruction of their own cities in various mediums such as films, anime or manga. According to the author, a lot of this stems from post-war anxiety of an imminent bombing. The events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki towards the end of the war have had such an impact on Japan’s subconscious, leading many creatives to infuse personal trauma into their work. Thus, the art produced could be interpreted as both a reminder for the old and an optimistic view towards the future for the young. The theme of

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[Reading Response 2] Esther M. K. Cheung: In Search of the Ghostly in Context — Ye Tsz Yu

As Cheung addresses the depiction of the ghostly city and the demonstration of defamiliarization, I will respond to how the close relationship between them is shown in films. Avery Gordon defines a ghostly city as a location where ghosts gather. I believe that “ghosts” refer to Hong Kong residents who lack authority over the city and are uncertain about the future due to historical reasons. Fruit Chan’s film attempted to investigate Hong Kong via discussions of social issues, rather than focusing on its positive aspects as an international city with amazing views. Since public housing estates are essentially the physical

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[Reading Response 2] In Search of the Ghostly in Context – Chiu Yin Ching

‘Fruit Chan’s Made in Hong Kong’ by Esther M. K. Cheung, specifically the chapter ‘In Search of the Ghostly in Context’, begins by discussing the themes of defamiliarization, realism and surrealism in Fruit Chan’s films. The reading also delves into the history of Hong Kong’s public housing, exploring the relationship between low-cost housing and the sense of homelessness seen in lower-middle class people.   I was most interested in how the reading discussed the link between how public housing is portrayed in Fruit Chan’s films. The author states that Chan’s films portray public housing estates ‘like ghost towns’, and that

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[Reading Response 2]-Communal After-Living: Asian Ghosts and the City(Katarzyna Ancuta)

Review of Communal After-Living: Asian Ghosts and the City-Katarzyna Ancuta Urban cities have been equated with the development and progress of a person which leads people in rural areas to migrate into big cities. The rapid growth of the cities highlighted the themes of loneliness and alienation for the newly migrated people, offering fertile grounds for horror movie makers to use stories merging with ghosts. The horror movies made in the Asian regions including Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and China mostly rely on the use of a contiguous community where humans and ghosts co-habitat. Additionally, isolation and loneliness themes act

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[Reading Response 2] Katarzyna Ancuta: Communal After-Living: Asian Ghosts and the City

The original reading highlights the impact of urbanization on isolation and loneliness by analyzing the film “Apt.” (2006), emphasizing the commodification of real estate and the consequent dissolution of human connections. In the tutorial, we discussed other causes of modern isolation, such as the use of technology. However, my tutor’s assertion that the internet exacerbates isolation may not fully capture the issue’s complexity. In my opinion, technology can negatively and positively affect social isolation. On one hand, excessive reliance on the internet and technology could aggravate isolation. A study titled “Social Media Use and Perceived Social Isolation Among Young Adults

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[Reading Response 2] Esther M. K. Cheung: In Search of the Ghostly in Context

This article explores the intricate relationship between urban space and social marginalization. It is mentioned that the sense of homelessness is a common issue among middle- and lower-class people during tough times, as they are anxiety about uncertain future. The article further asserts that architectural styles serve as cultural and ideological manifestations, with a primary focus on Hong Kong’s public housing estates. Therefore, it contends that they epitomize the darker aspects of local culture and represent Hong Kong’s difficulty. Initially, public housing was driven primarily by economic interests, aimed to attracting low-paid workers, rather than welfare considerations. Over time, these

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[Reading Response 2] Communal After-Living: Asian Ghosts and the City by Katarzyna Ancuta

Chau Leo Li-Heng UID: 3036238598 This reading delves into the intersection of urban development and cultural narratives in Asian societies, focusing on the representation of ghosts within the urban landscape. It explores how these ghostly figures are not just remnants of past beliefs but are actively integrated into the living spaces and psyche of modern Asian cities. In the context of the Anthropocene, where human activity significantly alters the environment, the urbanization of Asian cities is presented as a parallel process to the accommodation of cultural and supernatural elements, such as ghosts. Ghosts in Asian urban narratives are not mere

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Reading response 2

Within the field of urban studies, the notion of cybercities delves into the interplay between technology and urban settings. These cities are revolutionizing urban life by embracing and incorporating digital infrastructure, virtual spaces, and communication networks. Boyer, C.’s article probably explores the intricacies and ramifications of this phenomena. The rise of cybercities opens up new avenues for communication, sharing of information, and creativity. Cities are now more connected than ever thanks to technological advancements, creating a networked urban environment. People can now more readily access resources and information thanks to this connectedness, which enhances convenience and efficiency in many facets

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