Cert 15
93 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language and crude sex references
What a brilliant name for a film - Vulgaria and its poster conjures up that love of Benny Hill which we of a certain age had during the 1970s.
And, sure enough, Ho Cheung-Pang's comedy is bright and bawdy. But it also has that completely off-the-wall element which typifies movies from the Far East (think Banzai but a lot nearer the knuckle).
Vulgaria is the story of a film producer (Chapman To) and the lengths he has to go to in order to get his movie made.
This includes one mind-boggling scene when he is trying to impress a potential investor (Ronald Cheng).
Essentially, Vulgaria is a combination of sex and bad taste. However, there is, surprisingly, no nudity in the entire film.
Why surprising? Well, Hong Kong movies (this is one) are not exactly known for holding back yet here, all of the sex acts are away from the screen.
And this is despite the fact that this movie spends much of its time on the wrong side of taste boulevard in terms of embracing perversion.
Chapman To is actually quite a likable lead.
We first see him being questioned by students about his role as a film producer. He then goes into chapter and verse.
But, in scenes from his life, what we see is a far cry from the confident man at the front of the lecture theatre.
Instead, he runs around at the whim of his investor, director, lead actors, ex-wife and even his secretary.
The only lass who seems to be on his side is a wannabee actress called Popping Candy (Dada Chan) (I will leave her role up to your imagination).
So is Vulgaria any good? I think the answer to that question depends on whether you are into Far Eastern cinema.
Those who are not, will potentially be shocked but equally may wonder what the heck is going on.
I liked it because it tended towards the wacky Japanese sense of humour I enjoy, despite it being Cantonese.
Laughs: three
Jumps: none
Vomit: a bit of retching off screen
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6/10
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