Red Nights
Red Nights marks two significant events: a debut and an overdue return. The film is directors Julien Carbon and Laurent Courtiaud’s first feature, having built their careers as screenwriters, most notably for Johnnie To’s thriller Running Out of Time. The long awaited return is that of Hong Kong starlet Carrie Ng, who is famous for her sexy and deadly presence in such films as Naked Killer and Sex and Zen. These occasions blend as the perfect ingredients for an erotic thriller evocative of Dario Argento’s bloody escapades into sex and death.
The kill sequences are some of the most unique, sexualized and sadistic ever put on screen. As the jade-clawed Dragon Lady, Ng shows she is equal parts seductress and psycho-sexual killer. She lures and traps her victims in a variety of inescapable “pleasure” devices, in which who is enjoying depends entirely on Carrie’s wishes.
Combining the styles of Italian giallo and espionage thrillers, Red Nights is an intriguing journey into the exotic Far East not yet seen.
Sarah Gopaul, Toronto Film Scene
Original title: Les Nuits Rouges Du Bourreau De Jade
Duration: 98 min
Dialogue: English, French, Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Age limit: K18
