A modern Chinese ghost story: "The Eye"

[Lydia Leftcoast]

Recently saw a most interesting Hong Kong movie called The Eye.

It concerns a young blind woman who regains her sight after a corneal transplant. She has the usual problems teaching her brain to interpret what her eyes see, and everything is new and strange, so at first, she doesn't realize that she "sees dead people all the time."

Obviously that's not the normal outcome of a corneal transplant, so her psychologist, once he realizes what's happening, tries to find out who the donor was.

I found this to be a fascinating combination of modern Hong Kong and rural Thai life with traditional Chinese folk religion. It's not that scary, but it's one of those movies that you've never seen before.

[Khephra]

1. They're remaking it for American audiences

Just like they did with Ringu/The Ring.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. Well, for me, much of the attraction

was that it took place in Hong Kong, with the whole cultural background of veneration of ancestors and the belief in "hungry ghosts," exorcism, and divination. (Characters in the movie have altars to the dead in their apartment hallway, for instance.)

This living tradition about the spirits of the dead would be hard to duplicate in an American setting. I think it would be just another ghost story.

[nuxvomica]

2. Sounds like a cool movie

But I won't see it around here till it comes out on DVD.

[iluvchicago86]

4. Is there any way...

To get the original version on DVD or video here in the US now?

Im completely intrigued by the premise, and i saw the trailer so it only heightened my interest.
Thanks for your review !

[arcane1]

5. it's playing at some of the smaller art-house theaters

I had never heard of it until tonight, when I saw it on a marquee. IO'm glad I found this thread because it seems pretty cool!

[Sean Reynolds]

6. I have an AVI of it (good quality)

IF anyone wants it I can send it through MSN messenger (will take a while). But I must say, it's really worth it.