Inner Senses and the Changing Face of Hong Kong Horror Cinema

Abstract

Abstract This chapter discusses significant trends in contemporary Hong Kong horror film including the growing importance of transnational co-productions, export markets, and a fertile cross-breeding of popular genres native to both Hong Kong and other East Asian cinema. It reveals how the Hong Kong film industry, previously threatened by such Hollywood blockbusters as Jurassic Park (1993) and The Matrix (1999), has attempted to move toward more regionally driven film production through the successful efforts of Filmko Pictures and its supernatural thriller Inner Senses (2002). It also describes how regional film industries such as Hong Kong's have successfully crafted self-consciously pan-Asian films via the horror genre, and have helped transform production strategies.