10 Asian horror movies to get you in the mood for the Hungry Ghost Festival
With the Hungry Ghost Festival fast approaching, why not turn down the lights, switch on the screen and scare yourself silly with some of Asia’s spookiest films?
The Hungry Ghost Festival (alternatively known as Gui Jie or Yulan Festival) falls on September 2 this year, but Ghost Month begins today on August 19, as the spirits depart from the underworld through the gates of hell and are believed to walk among us.
Taoists and Buddhists perform a number of rituals on the day of the festival itself, such as burning incense and joss paper, preparing elaborate meals for deceased ancestors and releasing miniature lanterns or paper boats.
Those of us less disciplined in our Chinese traditions, however, might just want to watch scary movies to get in the mood.
So while the ghosts are at large and among us, what better time to notch up the thrills and indulge in some Asian supernatural flicks?
Here are our Asian horror picks, some of which have been remade in Hollywood, that will have you cowering under your sheets at night.
The Eye (2002)
When this film starring Malaysian-born actress Angelica Lee Sin-je was released in 2002, it created waves of terror in the cinemas.
Directed by the twins Danny and Oxide Pang, the film revolves around a blind violinist who receives a corneal transplant.
When she regains her sight, though, she starts getting premonitions of death and disaster.