Chiklo gouyeung (Naked Killer, 1992)

Clarence Fok

Hong Kong

100 min (uncut), color, Cantonese (English subtitles)

Review © 2002 Branislav L. Slantchev

The infamous Cat III movie that made Chingmy Yau the star and defined a genre is rather tame by today's standards. I even fail to see what scenes could have inspired the ire of censors both in the UK and this side of the pond. Although not exactly innocent, the film is quite restrained, both in the violence it shows and the amount of nubile flesh it depicts. In fact, Naked Killer is a film that shamelessly misrepresents its contents: there are some killers (mostly lesbian) but none of them are really naked. Actually, there are only two scenes where a killer gets partially nude before offing the target, and in the first she discreetly holds her breasts lest we see anything.

Having said that, there's plenty of stuff to offend the prudish: from the aforementioned lesbian killers, some of whom make out in a pool full of blood right after stabbing an yakuza boss in it, to a particularly dim police detective eating a victim's penis mistaking it for a sausage, to violence done to women (kicks in the crotch), and violence done to men (smashing a head with dumbbells). All of this filmed in sumptuous colors but without the excruciating detail.

As if it mattered, here's the synopsis. Kitty (Chingmy Yau) is your average stunning HK gal whose unconventional efforts to expose her friend's cheating boyfriend lead her to a bizarre encounter with Tinam (Simon Yam). Tinam is a good cop who has accidentally killed his brother during a bust and is now beset by two psychological problems: he is impotent and he can't hold a gun without vomiting. Naturally, he vomits within seconds after seeing Kitty, which she finds inexplicably attractive and starts to hound him. The two quickly fall for each other, develop a close relationship during their one date, and Kitty cures Tinam of his impotency.

Unfortunately, a local yakuza is boinking Kitty's step-mother and when her dad finds out, the ensuing fight between him and the paramour ends with the dad's death. The very next day Kitty bursts into the yakuza's office building and kills about five thousands of the useless and inept (as usual) thugs. This scene also has the infamous crotch-kicking bit before Kitty stabs the boss (repeatedly) in his balls. What goes around, comes around. On her way out, pursued by the murderous underlings, Kitty runs across Cindy (Svenwara Madoka) who turns out to be a professional killer. The latter immediately goes into action and what follows is one of the best action scenes I have seen. Every bit of clothing is turned into a deadly weapon.

Kitty is then apprenticed as a budding assassing (because of her "natural talents" we are told, which presumably include more than her good looks). The training is rather sketchy and includes killing child rapists in the basement, a lot of caressing of breasts and legs (essential for any good murderer), and a little of martial arts. Kitty, who changes name to the much more professional Vivian, is now ready for her assignments, and she goes on a killing spree. (Well, actually she really participates in only one murder, but we must believe the characters who continually refer to many more).

In any case, Tinam shows up again, convinced that his ex-girlfriend Kitty is in deep shit because of the initial murders (which we can safely surmise were filmed in glorious detail by the CCTV). He tracks down Kitty (now Vivian) but she tries to convince him he has the wrong girl. At the same time, Cindy's former star pupil, Princess (Carrie Ng) is ordered to kill her teacher. Princess is an unabashed lesbian who likes to make out with her rather innocently sleazy side-kick Baby. Princess falls for Kitty while engaging in a bit of professional voyerism through the telescopic lens of her rifle, much to Baby's ire.

Then everybody dies. First Princess offs her teacher with poisoned lipstick (gotta love that one), then Kitty offs Princess with poisoned lipstick, then Tinam offs himself and Kitty with poisoned lipstick (ok, ok, not really).

As one can see, the contents make for a true classic. However, Peter Pau's incredible cinematography, the rather well-done acting, make for wholesome entertainment. The HKL DVD is simply unbelievably good. The 16:9 transfer does justice to the excellent camerawork and lighting. There are also a bunch of extras, like interviews with Simon Yam and Wong Jing (producer/writer), and director Clarence Fok, audio commentary with Clarence Fok, and trailers. Most importantly, this DVD has the fully uncut 92 minute version. My understanding is that the censors had found some blood-letting objectionable, along (inexplicably) with the leg caressing scene, and (perhaps more obviously) the crotch-kicking scene. All of these are intact on this DVD so one can see how ridiculous censorship really is.

October 28, 2002