Ab-Normal Beauty

Oxide Pang is one half of the twins, the Pang Brothers (the other half is Danny), the brothers who have one of the most successful modern horror films to their name in the form of The Eye. More or less on their way to Hollywood, Oxide Pang made a relatively small yet terrifying psychological thriller in Hong Kong. The film is about the student Jiney. Her role is also played by half of a pair of twins, namely by Race Wong, of the Hong Kong music duo 2R. The other half, Rosanne Wong, plays the role of Jasmine, Jiney’s best friend. Jiney seems to have it made. She’s a successful student, her work as a photographer is respected and she comes from a rich family. But even though her photographs are appreciated, she’s not satisfied with them herself. She’s looking for more excitement in her work. More or less by accident, when she witnesses a fatal accident, she finds out that recording death gives her the kick she’s looking for. It is an advanced state of excitement, also sexual, that turns out to be addictive. The excitement is heightened when it turns out she’s being followed by a murderer, who also seems to share her obsession. As usual with Pang, the film is very stylishly shot. He does not shirk back from emphasising perverse elements. Pang makes modern horror in every meaning of the word, with influences from thumbed comics to sadistic philosophers. (GjZ)