Film Name: 火烛鬼 / Burning Sensation / 火燭鬼
Remember, no more TV—only movies. Who would’ve thought that a Hong Kong film from thirty-five years ago would issue such a resounding call: watch less TV, watch more movies. At least you’ll absorb new things faster and stay connected to society. After all, TV dramas remain heavily padded even today—a total waste of time (personal opinion).
In the 1990s, the film “Ring” made the long-haired ghost Sadako, who crawled out of the TV set, a household name. To this day, many comedies feature a long-haired, face-obscuring NPC in white, and audiences can’t help but smile when they see her—another cameo by Sadako. In truth, ghosts emerging from TV screens was a trope Hong Kong cinema had already exhausted. Wu Ma, who transitioned from acting to directing with strong backing from Sammo Hung, helmed and starred in two installments of the “My Cousin The Ghost” series. “Burning Sensation” was the second film, released two years later, showcasing Wu Ma’s vastly improved directorial skills and much more polished technique. Compared to the first film, Wu Ma no longer needed a large cast of supporting characters to fill the screen; telling a compelling story became the central focus. Cheng Yu-ling and Chung Chun-to, under his direction, radiate undeniable chemistry, making this film a worthy Chinese counterpart to “Ghost.” ATV Miss Hong Kong contestant Lai Nga-shan stars as the ghost, her terrifying and fierce appearance as a vengeful spirit is unforgettable.
“Burning Sensation” follows firefighter Sam Tsang as he rescues the spirit tablet of Carina Lau—a woman who perished in a studio fire thirty years prior—igniting a human-ghost romance. Unlike the purely romantic Western “Ghost,” this Eastern ghost tale aligns more with Chinese aesthetics. “Fairy Ghost Vixen” features a similar human-ghost love story where the female ghost ultimately returns to life, culminating in a happy ending. “Burning Sensation” likely draws inspiration from this. Unlike “A Chinese Ghost Story,” where humans and ghosts remain worlds apart, this film directly unites the star-crossed spirits. Interspersed throughout are elements beloved by audiences of the time: humans unable to see ghosts, ghosts unable to see humans, vengeful spirits demanding lives, and seductive ghosts luring souls. It’s filmed with lively energy, making for a thoroughly enjoyable watch. Wong Jim’s portrayal of the blind feng shui master is a standout highlight. His bar-hopping antics evoke the spirit of a modern-day playboy, while his ghost-hunting and demon-subduing skills carry echoes of a Taoist exorcist (à la the Chen You version). The film opens and closes with scenes from Fan Lihua battling the Flaming Array, likely referencing the segment “Ren Gui’s Army Assaults Qinglong Pass, Flaming Array Traps Ding Mountain” from the opera General Father, General Son. Chung Chun-Tao, who previously portrayed Wu Song in operatic scenes in films like “Happy Bigamist,” returns with seamless familiarity. Cheng Yu-Ling, famously adept at cross-over roles, lives up to her nickname “Cheng the Thirteenth.” Her operatic close-ups and movements appear well-rehearsed, though all fight scenes use stunt doubles, resulting in minimal jarring transitions.
Years ago, Hong Kong cinema flourished with a riot of imagination. Audiences could dream up anything, and Hong Kong filmmakers dared to bring it to screen. Ghost films could be terrifyingly grotesque or romantically heartwarming. Personally, I prefer lighter fare—the scene in “My Cousin The Ghost” where an iron burns someone’s back to fake beef jerky left me with a psychological shadow. The boldest moment in “Burning Sensation” is the Miss Hong Kong contestant’s absurdly long red tongue, though Woo Ma cleverly neutralized the discomfort with chili sauce. The most terrifying ghostly murder scene is simply Ko Shu-liang opening the car door and collapsing outside—it feels surprisingly unburdened. There are some adult jokes, but they’re tolerable; even if aired on TV, they likely wouldn’t require editing. I hope someone will make more lighthearted comedy ghost films like this.
PS: I recommend watching “Burning Sensation.” At the very least, it’ll help you see those sudden snowflakes on your TV screen without immediately freaking out that Sadako is crawling out—it might just be the adorable and charming Fan Lihua.
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