Caption: Tang Wei and Tony Leung's love scenes in "Lust, Caution" push sexuality limits. Tony Leung Chiu Wai's full nudity in movie, "Lust, Caution" 《色，戒》has become the hottest topic in Hong Kong entertainment lately. The film won the top Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival, generated good word-of-mouth, and gained good box office results in Asia. However, the public discussion could not stray away from the explicit love scenes between Tony Leung and female lead, Tang Wei. Director, Ang Lee, once said, "Lust is also a part of art." So how does the public opinion perceive Tony Leung's nudity in the film? Was it a necessary part of the script? Or was it only demanded by Ang Lee to increase the media's attention? If the Director for "Lust, Caution" were Wong Jing instead, then would the film become pornographic? The Hong Kong premiere of "Lust, Caution" was a star-studded event, including the attendance of Chow Yun Fat, Zhang Ziyi and other international stars. Chow Yun Fat gave the film a 99.9 score, while other guest viewers gave it a 100 score. Just watching Tony Leung and Tang Wei's passionate scenes were fulfilling enough! Director, Ang Lee, noted that he originally thought of casting Zhang Ziyi as the female lead in "Lust, Caution." However, when Tang Wei, auditioned for the role, Ang Lee was attracted by her ordinary looks. He felt Tang Wei was very suitable for the role. Apparently the whole world focused on Tony Leung's private parts or how intensely passionate his bed scenes were with Tang Wei. Many female movie viewers watched the movie to satisfy their curiosity about Tony's nudity. Perhaps this was also one way to sneak a peak at naked celebrity bodies? "Lust, Caution" is a period spy thriller that takes place in World War II China. Was the film sexually gratuitous or artistic in nature? Over 50 people were polled and the following results were found: * 44% of respondents said that Tony Leung's exposure of his private parts was a publicity tactic employed by the film company. They felt Tony's nudity was unnecessary. * 38% of respondents felt that "Lust, Caution" warranted artistic merit. They felt that Tony's nudity was a suitable artistic sacrifice for the film. * 28% of respondents did not find Tang Wei to be beautiful. But they found her to possess a unique air about her. Acting counted more than looks and audiences found her more suitable for the role rather than Zhang Ziyi. *88% of respondents said that Director Wong Jing's movies were cheap and pornographic. However, Ang Lee's movies were artistic and his sex scenes were necessary for the film. Perhaps there is only a fine line between being cheap or artistic! Ticket sales for "Lust, Caution" in Hong Kong have topped $3.66 million (HKD) since its opening earlier this week. The movie was shown at 60 theater screens and became the top-seller during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday week and broke a historical records as one of the strongest box office openings in September. Box office sales have been equally strong in Taiwan. Since "Lust, Caution" opened on September 26th, box office sales have surpassed $8.75 million (HKD). The following few female viewers expressed their intention on whether they will be watching "Lust, Caution:" Ms. Yue: "A lead actress doesn't have to be beautiful. As long as she can act, that is fine. However I want to watch this film mainly because of Tony Leung. I believe this will be a good film." Ms. Lee: "Ang Lee is already a well-known brand. On the other hand, Wong Jing is cheap. I am interested in this film because of the whole story. I am not seeing it because of the love scenes." Mr. Wong: "I am not interested in watching 'Lust, Caution!' There are no CGI scenes, no action scenes. I'll just wait for the DVD!" Ms. Lui: "This movie has a too serious air about it. I am interested in watching lighter comedies. Although Tony Leung may have a breakthrough performance in this movie, I am not interested in watching it." Source: Jayne News
I found it absolutely necessary. And fair game too, since Tang Wei was in her birthday suit, it's just unreasonable to think that it's suitable and okay for a female actor to act naked while her male counterpart get the cover-up. Pluh-ease, Zhang Ziyi was overrated. Compaing Tang Wei to her is like... Jessica Simpson (Zhang Ziyi, beautiful but boring) and Cate Blanchette (not strikingly beautiful but kills in her acting)? There isn't. The difference between cheap and artistic is as wide as the abyss down Atlantic Ocean. The fact that the "exposure" was private and without a witness to point and laugh (in the film) was one of the factor which made it NOT cheap. Wang Jing is very apted at making bad comedies with vulgar innuendo overloads... I am sure said person do not see any horror in cinemas. Oh well, he just doesn't know what he missed.
I don't think the HK market really cares about these types of film. They try way too hard in producing a great film and is only seen as an elevated attention drawing film because of normalized production comparable. For the most part, everyone knows how the HK movies have been all these decades. Now, ever since Crouching Tiger and hitting into the US market, have these types of film gained popularity. But in my opinion, I think it's the same. Movies like 2046 are trying too hard and it loses the enjoyment of movie watching. People are basically critiquing ever scene, every little thing instead of trying to watch what is being conveyed. Anyhow, was it a FRONT full nude or was it just his butt? Have this movie been released yet? Anyhow, as with anything, THERE IS NO NEED to incorporate ANY FORM of nudity or extreme sex scenes to make it a great film. We can all attest to this, but by now, we know sex sells. Poor decision.
Looks like it would be a intense love making scene in the movie~~ I wonder if Malaysia will sensor the whole part of the film.... zzzzz Over conservative ppl.... Looks like we in Malaysia would not be able to enjoy the full length of the movie.....!!!
you can attest to it? you sure? you haven't even watched the movie and you are so sure the scenes were unnecessary?? seems like you are assuming aren't you? every movie has its own theme, and every theme requires different scenes.. and i believe its only fair that you gave such comment if, after watching the movie, you still found the scenes irrelevant/ unnecessary. i personally will look forward to watching this, and can only comment after that. and one thing is for sure, i've heard more abt the great acting of the female lead than the sex scenes.. and i'm going to watch this cos i love tony's movies and to witness the acting of Tang Wei myself.
I am sure you think very lowly of the canons in literature since we all try so hard to interpret every line and every word and every single symbolism and metaphor. For your information, it was a full frontal. That's quite an assumption right there, you haven't seen the film and you say it isn't necessary. Hope you don't end up eating your own words when you do see it. But hang on, I guess you won't, since you equate nudity with vulgarity and publicity stunts. There's no artistic merit in anything right? There's a G version tailored by conservative China, and only 7 minutes (approximately) of footage was edited. I am incline to think that the same version can be released in Malaysia too... Though to be truthful I can't say for certain. Tang Wei will surprise you. She was awesome... but this film is only enjoyable if yo u have the cultural context: since a lot of Western critiques were complaining why there are repeated sequences of a bunch of wives playing Mah Jong... But to me it was ABSOLUTELY vital to the film... I can't say any more, since it will very soon become spoiler-y if I do -tongue2 Have fun seeing this film -^_^
^ haha.. once again proving you have a lot of time to spare on a post.. as for cultural context.. well.. have to watch it to see if i'm lacking any.. i doubt so though. o.. and you quoted my post with Espresso Bunny's nick..
I watched this one film called "Mrs. Henderson Presents" or something and the nudity was necessary because it was part of the historical reference and also it wasn't sexual at all. It's really artistic nudity. So yeah while some teenage comedies can use nudity to appeal to the audience and all, i don't think Lust, Caution will be one of them (can't really be sure since i haven't watched it).
OMG, I totally forgot about that brilliant film! The perfect counter example... Eastern Promises, on the other hand, is the recent walking epitah of "unnecessary nudity"... But I guess I appreciate the fact that when confronted with a life and death situation, a person should be worrying about survival more than pulling up a pair of jeans to save the audience from "OMG nudity!" scandal... -whistle And oh, the sex in Lust, Caution was not quite the sensual feat I was expecting from Ang Less... -sweat But it was appropriate given the context.
^maybe nudity was used as an intimidation tactic, the dude with the tats right?...lol Eastern Promises disappointed you big time huh...Still haven't watched it. Not sensual as expected huh, guess you were expecting too much "sensuality" missy...haha And yea Judi Dench owned "Mrs. Henderson Presents" lol...
It wasn't, it's just... for pure convenience. Scenario: you are going to be killed in 10 seconds flat, would you use that 10 seconds to either fight back or run from your potential murderer or pulling on your favourite Evisu so that you are going to be very dignified when you die? It's all about realism -devil It was more like power play... A fight for the upper hand in the interaction... She totally did. But then again, when has she NOT own any film she's in? I was very thankful that I was not subjected to her so-called acting. Glad Tang Wei came along.
I thought you said it was sorta unecessary lol, nvm.... Yes i will choose the "dignified" way to die in a life or death situation-tongue2 Well she didn't really own in james bond cause she didn't have enough screen time but what is james bond now without "Q" hehe...
There's nothing less dignifying than being murdered, IMO. Ask me any day (until I am too old to answer or lost my mind, you know the drill), and I will take living over dying... That naked fighting scene is only necessary because Cronenberg made it so. I mean, I can say having Halle Berry wearing bathing suit in the James Bond film was unnecessary (plot wise, I know a lot of people were drooling) but it make sense if she were to be introduced on a beach/seashore right? It's the setting which dictated the nudity, but I didn't find that particular setting unnecessary. Same thing with Lust, Caution. If the sex scenes are necessary (which I thought they were), I would totally prefer it when the actors play their part naked. I just hated the whole "oh, my blanket is stuck to my modesty so no matter how much I move and roll while supposingly naked this film will keep the PG-13 rating", to me it's just idiocy. I thought she's M... But okay... I liked her in the Bond flicks... -sweat
^Q was the guy or someone else lol, oops haha... so you saying the settings should dictate the nudity or something...and cronenberg didn't have to put the nudity in but he made it necessary because he wanted to... I don't really care anymore though lol not like it's a hot chick kicking ass in the nude, i wouldn't even pay attention to the setting then haha, or perhaps not even the plot or the movie at all...And i didn't really drool over halle berry cause i don't really find her that attractive, plus after "monster's ball" i've pretty much almost seen everything lol. But in some movies, when actors do realistic sex scenes, they usually get typed cast later on and the industry would criticize everything they are in. It's kinda this image they have to maintain thingy, don't really know how to explain it. And one more thing actors can get uncomfortable lol...
I know what you mean, but that would apply more to Tang Wei since she's a new comer... For Tony Leung, he already showed us his backside in "Happy Together", so a full frontal at this point of his career doesn't really change how most audience and industry perceive him -^_^
I don't think there needs to be a debate regarding art as you cannot even judge it. But one thing is for certain, nudity in parts of society command ethical attachments. As said, one side can pull nudity as acceptable, and another non acceptable. You mean to say, it is alright to show nudity (IF NECESSARY) even to children, because it was not portrayed in a vulgar way? I don't think so, and I'm sure most parents will not as well. But be realistic and decide whether nudity, language, or any other extreme limits need to be instilled in any movie for that matter? Again, it's a judgmental call, so keep an open mind instead of being so biased. Movies have been made over many decades, and to find examples would mean nothing when constructing a point. For me, I do not think a great film, regardless of its genre will need nudity, I"m sure we've encountered enough examples, but examples like I said are meaningless due to it's nature. Obviously without seeing the movie, one cannot judge it. But it's not to say, one cannot have a supposition upon it when deciding what one should watch? I suppose we all have a bias, point of view when deciding what to watch. I"m sure you have, whether it's for the softcore sex, tony's nudity, storyline, etc. etc. Again, to re clarify, I believe it is not necessary, and the reason why there is so much controversy is because the limits of a social aspect were pushed, and because the question becomes whether it is necessary or not. Again, obviously you have to watch and decide, but you and some of you as well have claimed it is necessary 'already' with out even watching. So how can you say, one should not judge without watching if you have done so otherwise. Here is what I think though and whether or not people agree, I don't really care. I think nudity and sex in the world has been used and seen as a demeaning way. You cannot get away from it, no matter how you want to portray it as being holy. You are only fooling yourself when you truly believe that. Sure, there are some artists or directors, or 'arts' theme that make it acceptable (in some terms). But as a whole, towards society and it's feelings towards sex, nudity, is it? Come on now. Media, no matter how you cut it, is a form of art, an expression. Whether nudity is portray as holy or dirty will ALWAYS be shadowed by the bias that our history has shown. Nudity doesn't make the film. The script and directing does. Whether the scene is necessary or not is not up to anyone to say. But keep it in mind, what and how can we ever say if it was necessary or not? We can't because there will always be 2 pulls towards it. But one thing is for sure, sex sells and there is no doubt about it. I'm out on this one. Some of you have to stop playing police and just relax it. Go out and do some exercise or something.
