Online Review: 3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy

3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy (3D肉蒲團之極樂寶鑑) is a Hong Kong 3-D erotic film released in 2011. In Ming Dynasty , there was a arrogant scholar called Wei Yangsheng. He believed that life is short and people should pursue the ultimate sexual pleasure in lifetime. He married with Tie Yuxiang but their poor sex life did not satisfy him. After the collapse of his marriage, he ventured in searching ways to increase his sex drive and performance in bed. His journey takes him to meet Prince of Ning and his tag team of sexual dynamos. He learnt variety of sex skills, however, his troubles began since he displeased the Prince of Ning. At the end, he understands that love can still exist even without sex and have a long lasting love with Tie Yuxiang . 

From this movie, it is obvious that it was filmed from men’s perspective due to the representation and stereotyping of female characters. Lippmann suggested stereotypes are generalizations and assumptions based on people’s gender, national origin or occupation (Dyer, 2000). In the movie, women are stereotyped as dependent and completely lack of autonomy. For example, those sexual dynamos of Prince Ning are treated as collections and stayed in the secret palace. They were always standing by to serve the Prince Ning and his guests. Another example is that a scholar had many wives and he was going to divorce with them unilaterally. When they heard this, they kneeled down and beg the scholar to let them remain stayed in his house and they can do anything for him. From the above examples, we can see that women in this movie are described and represent as accessory of men. These show the stereotyping towards women from the view of men, as well as in the traditional society.

It is said that there is a close relationship between genre and audience. Genres consist of specific systems of expectation and hypothesis. As this movie was promoted as an erotic film, it successfully raises the topic in city. Generally, audience do not really know the content of erotic film but they interpret it by its literal meaning. They just expected such kind of movies will include a large number of scenes like Japanese pornography movies. And of course, they felt disappointed since it is out of their expectation.

Many people may criticize this movie is hypocritical and cheated them. The fact which we need to know is that although Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city, the traditional Chinese moral standard is rooted. Topics related to sex are still one of taboo in Hong Kong. Taking pornography as an example, men may not like watching pornography, but probably many of them have watched before. However, how many of them would say he would watch pornography in public space? They tried to keep their rational and gentleman image in the public. So, by understanding the moral standard in Hong Kong, we should surpised to have such erotic movie which both men and women can openly watch and discuss. In my opinion, this movie can be categorized as a Hong Kong styled erotic movie. It can be seen as a development of cultural phenomenon in response to different national conditions. Pornography in different countries like Japan, South Korea, and Italy has its own traditions and patterns. It is unlikely for Hong Kong erotic movies to learn or blindly follow others.

Reference:

Dyers, R. (2000). The Role of Stereotypes. In P. Marris & S. Thornham (eds). Media Studies: A Reader. (pp.245-251). Washington Square, N.Y.: New York University Press.

By NG Wing Sze Anna (1048 5536)