[Read Response II] : In Search of the Ghostly in Context

In the chapter “In Search of the Ghostly in Context”, Esther M. K. Cheung analyzes how Fruit Chan uses the medium of film to express the complex layers of Hong Kong’s urban identity. Through a combination of realism and surrealism, Fruit Chan creates a “ghost city” that vividly reflects the social and psychological turmoil of Hong Kong at a critical moment in its history. It is worth noting that Fruit Chan uses the element of ghosts as a profound metaphor that transcends the traditional horror genre, reflecting the shadows of the city’s past and its citizens’ sense of disorientation. This

Continue reading[Read Response II] : In Search of the Ghostly in Context

Reading response 2-Communal After-Living: Asian Ghosts and the City

This article mainly discusses three Asian apartment horror movies with different themes and analyzes why ghost movies and ghost stories have different styles according to the different structural characteristics of cities in each region. The first theme is adjacent communities, which mainly appear in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. The second theme is that the biggest fear is loneliness, which mainly occurs in Japan, South Korea, an economically developed country. The last theme is that ghosts are the failure of economic success, aiming to continue to migrate the population from the countryside to the city. The main example is Bangkok,

Continue readingReading response 2-Communal After-Living: Asian Ghosts and the City

Reading Response2:L7,2010,Oh NO,There goes Tokyo

In the paper, Tsutsui W.M. employed a multidimensional analytical approach to explore the description of the catastrophic end of Tokyo. Firstly, the author thoroughly analyzes various works in post-war Japanese popular culture, such as movies, comics, animations, and electronic games, to sort out the common themes and symbolic meanings about the destruction of Tokyo in these works. Through these popular cultural works, Tsutsui reveals the deep fear and anxiety of the public towards urban disasters, technological runaways, and natural disasters. Revealing this destructive aesthetic and its potential social, historical, and political implications. This study not only explores the phenomenon of

Continue readingReading Response2:L7,2010,Oh NO,There goes Tokyo

[READING RESPONSE 2] Oh No, There Goes Tokyo

This article provides an intriguing look at how catastrophes are portrayed in popular culture from that era in Japan. Tsutsui provides insightful analysis of the ways in which these representations mirror society worries and wants, shedding light on the relationship between architecture, film, and cultural narratives. Tsutsui’s broad perspective improves our understanding of how cinema and design serve as mediums for collectively conceiving alternate urban possibilities and processing trauma. The author’s in-depth analysis of well-known movies and how they present destruction as a kind of entertainment is thought-provoking and sheds light on the complex relationship between natural catastrophes, urban landscapes, and popular

Continue reading[READING RESPONSE 2] Oh No, There Goes Tokyo

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

In this article, the author discussed the intricate relationship between urban spaces, Asian cultures and the presence of ghosts. Unlike Westerners, who typically view ghosts as remnants of the past or manifestations of trauma, Asian cultures view ghosts as an integral part of the universe. It’s common in Asia to believe in the existence of ghosts, in countries like China, Japan and Korea. Therefore, to represent normalcy in Asian cities, the inclusion and accommodation of ghosts become essential. As a result of rapid urbanisation, people are leaving their traditional rural and natural environments and moving into dense, modern cities. The

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

[READING RESPONSE #2] In Search of the Ghostly in Context by Cheung

In the chapter titled “In Search of the Ghostly in Context,” Cheung offers an insightful analysis of space-time dislocation. He critiques governmental inaction in public housing conditions, addresses the struggles faced by the lower and middle working classes, and extends his discussion to the wider socio-political landscape in Hong Kong during its era of transition, through which he skillfully employed the symbolism of the ‘ghost’ and cinematic techniques. Cheung conveys themes of marginalization, homelessness, and despair among Hong Kong’s working class in Chan’s films though employing subtle language and symbolism. Specifically, the depiction of houses as ‘prison houses’ and the

Continue reading[READING RESPONSE #2] In Search of the Ghostly in Context by Cheung