Mr. Vampire (1985) “Between Colonizers” #shorts

1 minute analysis on the classic Mr. Vampire.

Framework based on ‘The Return of Postcolonialism and the Dead’ by Calvin Fung.

[iandruke]

You got me interested in learning more, please make a full video on this!

[Coolestmovies]

This is the kind of short take we need more of regarding classic Hong Kong cinema. No one reads books anymore, so these interpretations – which were very much intended by the filmmakers based on the social conditions of the era – have fallen by the wayside in the flood of web and social media “reviewers” who rarely see past the surface gloss and martial arts choreography of the films. Back in the 90’s and early 00’s there were many scholarly, university press-style books delving into the subtext of countless Hong Kong movies. Many of these books are still relatively affordable to obtain, but it seems most online reviewers couldn’t be bothered. As short as this is, it’s a solid insight into the socio-political situation of the era in which Mr. Vampire was made, a situation that is at least part of the genesis of the real problems Hong Kong is suffering now that the despicable mainland Chinese government has taken over and crushed freedoms and creativity. Even though I appreciate your longer takes, I’d be interested in seeing more videos like this that offer a quick insight into a less-discussed (in the west) aspect of a particular film. Straight, and to the point. How many 15-minute-plus YT “reviews” of the Mr. Vampire Blu-ray, for example, even touch on this aspect. Keep ‘em coming! 👍

[eddychou]

I like. Are all your videos going to be this short now?

[sammieg-wing]

Might as well migrate to TikTok🤭 still like it though.