the world. Gunning’s analysis sees the main principle of early cinema as “exhibitionist confrontation rather than diegetic absorption” and can be expanded not just to experimental cinema but also to certain trends in commercial cinema. Hong Kong films are a prime example of a cinema where narration is secondary to a constant stream of attractions. Because of their sensational focus on the body and its functions, deformations and mortality, the majority of Lam’s movies for Golden Harvest, can be interpreted using Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of grotesque realism and the grotesque body. Some of Lam’s films, especially Ghost Snatchers, Her Vengeance and The Cat, can be seen as part of the stream of Hong Kong films reinterpreting the anxieties and turmoil in Hong Kong prior to its handover to China. Like many other films of that time, including all sorts of CAT III exploitation films but also mainstream titles like John Woo’s Hard Boiled (1992), feature regular Hong Kong citizens suddenly facing an heartless evil force threatening their way of life and their very existence. Especially The Cat directly mentions the fateful year 1997. French critic Xavier Desbarats has repeatedly compared Lam's work with that of Edward D. Wood, Jr.,. Filmography as director One Way Only (1981) (co-directed with Danny Lee) Brothers from the Walled City (1982) Men from the Gutter (1983) The Ghost Snatchers (1986) Three Stooges Go Undercover (1984) The Seventh Curse (1986) Killer's Nocturne (1987) Her Vengeance (1988) Peacock King (1989) Erotic Ghost Story (1990) Saga of the Phoenix (1990) Story of Ricky (1991) (credited as Simon Nam) The Cat (1992) Filmography as cinematographer Carry on Con Men (1975) The Drug Connection (1976) Big Bad Sis (1976) Homicides - The Criminals, Part II (1976) Judgement of an Assassin (1977) Assault - The Criminals, Part IV (1977) Cobra Girl (1977) The Avenging Eagle (1978) The Proud Youth (1978) The Deadly Breaking Sword (1979) The Kung-Fu Instructor (1979) To Kill a Mastermind (1979) Rendezvous with Death (1980) The Kid with a Tattoo (1980) One Way Only (1981) Mobfix Patrol (1981) My Rebellious Son (1982) Brothers from the Walled City (1982) Men from the Gutter (1983) Prince Charming (1984) The Flying Mr. B (1985) Killer's Nocturne (1987) Erotic Ghost Story (1990) References External links HKMDB entry HK Cinemagic entry LoveHKFilm entry Hong Kong film directors 1953 births Living people Place of birth missing (living people)