The Living Corpse

Famed director Zhu Shilin tries his hand at a horror film! The beginning of The Living Corpse immediately sets the tone with a folk duet clearly inspired by the popular 1956 musical Songs of the Peach Blossom River. The duet, in addition to Zhu's frequent use of long, empty shots and crisp editing, gives this horror film a traditional poetic charm and a strong folk flavor. Mise-en-scene and sound effects create a terrifying atmosphere, and successfully communicate the ghostliness of a world without ghosts.

The Girl with a Thousand Faces

Gu Lingxiu's dream of becoming an actress is opposed by her grandmother. Her father Zhongqi remains ambivalent. Years ago, Zhongqi was in love with a Peking opera diva Hua Yanhong, but the lovers were separated by the matriarch. Regretful of the mistake, the matriarch discards her prejudice and allows Lingxiu to pursue her career. She also urges Zhongqi to look for Hua.