Asian Horror Cinema Roundup & Thoughts
So, when we set out on this particular film series quest, I had a few limitations to work with:
They had to be movies that we hadn’t already seen, which meant skipping some of the biggest and most influential titles (Ringu, The Grudge, Dark Water, etc etc.)
I wanted as diverse a selection as I could to mix up multiple countries and time periods
The movies all had to be things I could find streaming online, which cut about half of my initial selections out of the running
So, with that in mind, this is....definitely not the most thorough or representative list of films! I make no claims that these are the biggest, best, most important, or anything else. But here is everything we watched!
CHINA/HONG KONG
Song at Midnight (1937)
Dream Home (2010)
Rigor Mortis (2013)
INDIA
Bees Saal Baad (1962)
Raaz (2002)
Bhoot (2003)
Kaal (2005)
Hisss (2010)
Pizza (2012)
JAPAN
Kwaidan (1965)
Goke, Body Snatcher From Hell (1968)
Horrors of Malformed Men (1969)
The Vampire Doll (1970)
Belladonna of Sadness (1973)
Blind Woman's Curse (1970)
House (1977)
Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
Battle Royale (2000)
One Missed Call (2003)
Uzumaki (2000)
Cold Fish (2010)
Tag (2015)
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
KOREA
The Uninvited (2003)
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Hansel and Gretel (2007)
Snowpiercer (2013)
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)
THAILAND
The Park (2003)
Shutter (2004)
Ladda Land (2011)
Krasue: Inhuman Kiss (2019)
The Medium (2021)
VIETNAM
The Housemaid (2016)
Some overall thoughts:
Japan takes the cake for fucking weird. Which is not a shock to anyone, probably, but it’s very clear that Japan isn’t afraid to get bizarre, and has been doing some super weird shit from the very beginning.
India doesn’t seem to take itself very seriously in the horror film department, lol. Not all of the movies were Bollywood musicals, although a couple were. But even the non-musicals were all pretty silly.
Mainland China doesn’t really make horror movies these days as far as I know but Hong Kong sure does and the ones I’ve seen are all brutal. They don’t seem to mind pushing the envelope there one bit.
South Korea is the same. I have a deep fondness for Korean films, and I think I tend to enjoy them more than Japanese exports because they tend to be more grounded and often politically biting.
Our next batch of horror movies is going to be a catch-up with new releases since we’re a couple years behind at this point. The hashtag for those will be #horror-new-releases so keep an eye out for that in the upcoming weeks.
After we get caught up, I’m not sure what we watch next. We’ve discussed a few possible themes, including:
Remake vs original
Franchise installments
Individual director filmographies
Other foreign countries
Individual monster/mythology trends
There are so many movies out there, and putting them in themes makes it more fun! Change my mind!
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Bollywood Horrors: Religion, Violence and Cinematic Fears in India, edited by :Ellen Goldberg, Aditi Sen and Brian Collins, Bloomsbury Academic, 2020. Info: bloomsbury.com.
Bollywood Horrors is a wide-ranging collection that examines the religious aspects of horror imagery, representations of real-life horror in the movies, and the ways in which Hindi films have projected cinematic fears onto the screen. Part one, “Material Cultures and Prehistories of Horror in South Asia” looks at horror movie posters and song booklets and the surprising role of religion in the importation of Gothic tropes into Indian films, told through the little-known story of Sir Devendra Prasad Varma. Part two, “Cinematic Horror, Iconography and Aesthetics” examines the stereotype of the tantric magician found in Indian literature beginning in the medieval period, cinematic representations of the myth of the fearsome goddess Durga's slaying of the Buffalo Demon, and the influence of epic mythology and Hollywood thrillers on the 2002 film Raaz. The final part, “Cultural Horror,” analyzes elements of horror in Indian cinema's depiction of human trafficking, shifting gender roles, the rape-revenge cycle, and communal violence.
Contents:
List of Plates
Notes on Contributors
Preface – Brian Collins
Introduction – Ellen Goldberg, Aditi Sen, and Brian Collins
Part One: Material Cultures and Prehistories of Horror in South Asia
1. Monsters, Masala, and Materiality: Close Encounters with Hindi Horror Movie Ephemera – Brian Collin
2. Vampire Man Varma: The Untold Story of the “Hindu Mystic” Who Decolonized Dracula – Brian Collins
Part Two: Cinematic Horror, Iconography, and Aesthetics
3. Divine Horror and the Avenging Goddess in Bollywood – Kathleen Erndl
4. Horrifying and Sinister Tantriks – Hugh B. Urban
5. Do you want to know the Raaz?Savitri, Satyavan, and the Other Woman – Aditi Sen
Part Threethr: Cultural Horror
6. Cutural Horror In Dev: Man is the Cruelest Animal – Ellen Goldberg
7. Bandit Queen, Rape Revenge, and Cultural Horror – Morgan Oddie
8. Mardaani: The Secular Horror of Child Trafficking and the Modern Masculine Woman – Beth Watkins
Notes
Bibliography
Index
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33 Underrated Male Actors of Bollywood
Like an endless cycle, we see many versatile actors that come and go, losing against a more privileged opponent. Even though these unappreciated actors show off their great acting skills in off-beat roles, they are subjugated to supporting and typecasted roles. It genuine saddens me to see talented actors be labeled as one particular character type when they can be so much more. Here are 33 underrated male actors that I am personally a fan of (look out for a female version soon)
1. VIKRANT MASSEY
Notable performances : A Death In The Gunj (2016), Criminal Justice (2019), Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016), Mirzapur (2019)
2. ABHAY DEOL
Notable performances : Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), Socha Na Tha (2005), Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Manorama Six Feet Under (2007), Dev D. (2009)
3. MANOJ BAJPAYEE
Notable performances : Satya (1998), Kaun (1999), Bandit Queen (1994), Pinjar (2003), Satyagraha (2013), Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1 (2012), Aligarh (2015), Special 26 (2013), Raajneeti (2010), LOC Kargil (2003)
4. KAY KAY MENON
Notable performances : Sarkaar (2005), Paanch (2003), The Stoneman Murders (2009), Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008), Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007), Haider (2014), Gulaal (2009), Black Friday (2004), The Ghazi Attack (2017), Shaurya (2008)
5. JIMMY SHERGILL
Notable performances : Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster (2011), A Wednesday (2008), Special 26 (2013), Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
6. SANJAY MISHRA
Notable performances : Masaan (2015), Ankhon Dekhi (2013), Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010), Saare Jahaan Se Mehenga (2013), Anarkali of Aarah (2017), Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), Jolly LLB (2013), Welcome (2007)
7. RONIT ROY
Notable performances : Udaan (2010), Ugly (2013), 2 States (2014)
8. PANKAJ KAPOOR
Notable performances : Maqbool (2003), Finding Fanny (2014), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), The Blue Umbrella (2005), Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1990), Dharm (2007), Sehar (2005)
9. ADITYA SRIVASTAVA
Notable performance : Black Friday (2004), Super 30 (2019), Bandit Queen (1994), Satya (1998), Gulaal (2009), Ek Hasina Thi (2004), Lakshya (2004), Paanch (2003), Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women (2004)
10. MOHAMMAD ZEESHAN AYUB
Notable performances : Raanjhanaa (2013), Article 15 (2019), No One Killed Jessica (2011), Sameer (2017)
11. VIJAY RAAZ
Notable performances : Run (2004), Dhamaal (2007), Raghu Romeo (2003), Kya Dilli Kya Lahore (2014), Delhi Belly (2011), Gully Boy (2019), Pataakha (2018)
12. GULSHAN DEVAIAH
Notable performances : A Death In The Gunj (2016), Huterrr (2015), Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2018), Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013), That Girl In Yellow Boots (2010), Shaitan (2011), Kuldip Patwal: I Didn't Do It! (2017)
13. JIM SARB
Notable performances : Neerja (2016), Padmaavat (2018), Teen Aur Aadha (2017), A Death In The Gunj (2016), Sanju (2018)
14. SHARMAN JOSHI
Notable performances : 3 Idiots (2009), Rang De Basanti (2006), Ferrari Ki Sawaari (2012), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story (2019), Life In A... Metro (2007)
15. DEEPAK DOBRIYAL
Notable performances : Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Kuldip Patwal: I Didn't Do It! (2017), Omkara (2006), Hindi Medium (2017), Gulaal (2009), Shaurya (2007), Delhi-6 (2009), The Blue Umbrella (2005)
16. SAURABH SHUKLA
Notable performances : Satya (1998), Raid (2018), Jolly LLB (2013), Barfi! (2012), PK (2014), Bandit Queen (1994), Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), Bala (2019), Dasvidaniya (2008), Kaun Kitney Paani Mein (2015)
17. RAHUL BOSE
Notable performances : Shaurya (2003), Shaurya (2008), Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002), Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006), 15th Park Avenue (2005), Jhankaar Beats (2003), Kaalpurush (2005)
18. R MADHAVAN
Notable performances : Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001), 3 Idiots (2009), Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Rang De Basanti (2006), Saala Khadoos (2016), 13B: Fear Has A New Address (2009), Guru (2007), Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008)
19. KUNAL ROY KAPOOR
Notable performances : Nautanki Saala! (2013), Delhi Belly (2011), Love Per Square Foot (2018), Loins of Punjab Presents (2007), Kaalakaandi (2017)
20. AKSHAYE KHANNA
Notable performances : Section 375 (2019), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Taal (1999), Border (1997), Gandhi, My Father (2007), Race (2008), LOC Kargil (2003), Mom (2017)
21. VINEET KUMAR SINGH
Notable performances : Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), Saand Ki Aankh (2019), Mukkabaaz (2017), Ugly (2013), Gold (2018), Bombay Talkies (2013)
22. RANVIR SHOREY
Notable performances : A Death In The Gunj (2016), Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006), Titli (2014), Kadvi Hawa (2017), Bheja Fry (2007), Halkaa (2018), Sonchiriya (2019)
23. ANNU KAPOOR
Notable performances : Vicky Donor (2012), Dream Girl (2019), Saat Khoon Maaf (2011), Mr. India (1987), Aitraaz (2004)
24. ALI FAZAL
Notable performances : Bang Baaja Baraat (2015), Fukrey (2013), Bobby Jasoos (2014), Victoria and Abdul (2017), Mirzapur (2019)
25. TAHIR RAJ BHASIN
Notable performances : Mardaani (2014), Chhichhore (2019), Manto (2018), Babumoshai Bandookbaaz (2017)
26. MANAV KAUL
Notable performances : Wazir (2016), Tumhari Sulu (2017), Ghoul (2018), City Lights (2014), Kai Po Che! (2013), 1971 (2007), Badla (2019), Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai? (2019)
27. ARSHAD WARSI
Notable performances : Sehar (2005), Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Dhamaal (2007), Ishqiya (2010), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Jolly LLB (2013), Hulchul (2004), Tere Mere Sapne (1996)
28. BOMAN IRANI
Notable performances : 3 Idiots (2009), Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006), Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), PK (2014), Made In China (2019), Being Cyrus (2005), Mirch (2010)
29. SHREYAS TALPADE
Notable performances : Dor (2006), Om Shanti Om (2007), Iqbal (2005), Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008), Golmaal Returns (2008)
29. ASHUTOSH RANA
Notable performances : Sangharsh (1999), Dushman (1998), Mulk (2018), Raaz (2002), Shabnam Mousi (2005), Kalyug (2005)
30. SOHUM SHAH
Notable performances : Ship of Theseus (2012), Tumbaad (2018), Talvaar (2015), Baabarr (2009)
31. ADIL HUSSAIN
Notable performances : English Vinglish (2012), Parched (2015), Ishqiya (2010), Mukti Bhawan (2016), Life of Pi (2012)
32. NASEERUDDIN SHAH
Notable performances : A Wednesday (2008), Sparsh (1980), Ishqiya (2010), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), The Dirty Picture (2011), Katha (1982), Ardh Satya (1983), Aakrosh (1980)
33. AKSHAY OBEROI
Notable performances : Selection Day (2018-), Kaalakaandi (2017), Isi Life Mein...! (2010), Laal Rang (2016), Bombairiya (2019), Piku (2015), Fitoor (2016)
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