1994
“Rock on Fire” (1994)
(dir. Lung Sang)
“Rock on Fire” can be viewed as a Cat. III
reprise of the superb “In the Line of Duty III” (1988). The Japanese
Red Army terrorist duo are, this time, played by Ken Lo and Mikie Ng.
However, in keeping with the general tone of the rest of “Rock on Fire,”
Mikie Ng’s depraved nymphomaniac character “Chinoko Yamakuchi” (“Icy”)
takes alarming risks to sexually control, assault, then kill her partners
– including a weapons dealer, a detective, and a corrupt politician.
The knowledge of these goings-on has Ken Lo’s character “Ronchiro Yamakuchi”
(“Tsubero”) screaming in frustration. Blatantly deviant sexual assaults
are on display throughout the film, heightening a sense of the transgressive
attached to the participation of martial artists such as Nadeki, Ken Lo
and Billy Chow.
“Inspector Cindy” (Nadeki) leads a police investigation
assigned to break an illegal arms sales operation. Icy and Tsubero,
the JRA terrorist duo, become inadvertently involved as their arms deal
goes bad. Tsubero is coerced by “Yiang Chien” (Stuart Ong) – the
ultimate target of Cindy’s investigation – to attempt a hit on her.
After she kills him, Icy returns to avenge him with the aid of Yiang Chien’s
adoring erstwhile bodyguard (Billy Chow). The narrative generally
follows “ITLOD III.” Differences in action, plot and character are
numerous, but there is comparable tension between the erotically charged,
sensual yet lethal female Japanese villain (Icy) and the straight-laced,
businesslike police officer (Cindy). The casting or characterization
as Japanese in these juxtaposed roles in both films should be noted.
However, unlike Cynthia Khan’s pleasant, cheerful “Madam Yeung” in “ITLOD
III,” Nadeki’s deadpan Inspector Cindy seems remarkably masculine in clothing
and manner. What facial expression she does allow veers between frustrated
and frankly pissed-off. This is all quite fetishized – to the extent
that a classic nightmare sequence of male-gendered impotence seems in keeping
with the abundant phallic imagery of guns, dominance, sexualized violence,
and penetrating weaponry.
The action alternates between these elements in
an occasionally startling exposition of exploitation. Not surprisingly,
at least two versions – one more heavily edited – have been released.
Nadeki has adequate screen time to develop her cold and rather unappealing
character and has two excellent martial arts sequences. In the first
she is cut and bloody, but demolishes Icy. By the time she finally
faces Billy Chow, Nadeki is an abject figure – sweaty, filthy and bloody,
with bedraggled hair and torn clothing. The imagery is powerful,
her delivery equally intense.
In short, “Rock on Fire” is an egregious Cat.
III excursion that is distinguished by gendered violence and graphic symbolism
that
is virtually elevated from subtext to main text. As such, it perhaps
represents the ultimate expression of play on the conventions of gender
role symbolism in HK female action films.
A 3, B 4, C 4, D 3, E 3.5, F 3 (20.5)
Recommended (Note Cat. III rating)
“Satyr Monks” (1994)
(Elite Films International Co. Ltd., Dir. Ping
Shek)
“Satyr Monks” is a costumed, “historical” Cat.
III production in which the flimsy plot and brief action sequences serve
mainly to connect the extended and gratuitous sexual scenes. The
plot is essentially summarized by one of Nadeki’s few lines, caustically
addressed to the central male character: “You occupy a temple and
rape women.” This corrupt monk is attempting to enhance his powers
by experiencing sex with 108 women – essentially via abduction and assault.
His assault on a troupe of female acrobats involves “Wienie,” the daughter
of a certain “Master Tsu” whose “Double Kick” technique is then ranged
against the evil monk’s “Steel Palm.”
Nadeki appears as the mysterious “Lady Hung” in
a minor supporting role. Strikingly attired in flowing red silk,
she first appears in a wirework scene in which she confronts the monk and
his followers. At the film’s climax she engages him in 1:1 combat
that is fortunately not compromised by wires. This fight is of interest
for Nadeki’s brief sword work, and eventual killing of the villain by choking
him with a leg lock. The symbolism of choking – particularly of a
sexual assailant – should be noted. Although Nadeki may be glimpsed
using a knife in “Mission of Condor,” her brief appearance in this film
is her sole screen display of sword and grappling techniques.
A 2, B 2, C 2, D 1, E 2, F 0 (9)
