Gin gwai (2002)

Directors:

Oxide Pang Chun
Danny Pang

Writers:

Jo Jo Yuet-chun Hui (written by) and
Danny Pang (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

9 May 2002 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

What if the reflection you see is not yours

Plot:

A blind girl gets a cornea transplant so that she would be able to see again. However, she got more...

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Blind Girl | Eye | Vision | Surgery

Awards:

8 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Angelica Lee	...	Wong Kar Mun (as Lee Sin-Je)
Lawrence Chou	...	Dr. Wah
Chutcha Rujinanon	...	Ling
Yut Lai So	...	Yingying
Candy Lo	...	Yee (Mun's Sister)
Yin Ping Ko	...	Mun's grandmother
Pierre Png	...	Dr. Eak
Edmund Chen	...	Dr. Lo
Wai-Ho Yung	...	Mr. Ching
Wilson Yip	...	Taoist
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kanta Aeamsamang	...	Young Mother
Wisarup Annuar	...	Dark Figure
Cub Chin	...	Boy's Father
Wing-Wai Chin	...	Hospital Caretaker
Ousinthorn Chotphan	...	Mun as a Little Girl
Sungwen Cummee	...	Ghost in the Elevator
Damrongwiseeatpanich	...	Ling (Age 8)
Jinda Duangtoy	...	Old Lady in the Hospital
Sopol Duriensuk	...	Traffic Policeman
Pornchai Hongrattanaporn	...	Bride
Si Won Ho	...	Ghost in the Restaurant
Panpimol Jeamsakol	...	Thai Nurse 2
Pui Ho Jim	...	Boy in the Car Accident
Narongsak Junjiamrat	...	Young Father
Wirasinee Kuntipan	...	Groom
Mylio Lau	...	Wah's Secretary
Yuk Ha Lau	...	Waitress
Hing Kim Lee	...	Restaurant Owener
Somchai Leelanukul	...	Thai Mini-Bus Driver
Tao Leung	...	Ghost on the Highway
Vuanna Mahachanok	...	Thai Mini-Cab Driver
Tassanana Nuntasapee	...	Ling (Age 4)
Ming Poon	...	Boy with Cap
Dampongongtrakul Sawadee	...	Yee as a Little Girl
Nonlaporn Sombatruksasuk	...	Boy's Mother
Nittaya Suthornrat	...	Ghost in the Classroom
Busarn Thongtiw	...	Thai Nurse 1
Wasarat Thrasarchoti	...	Mr. Ching's Assistant
Sue Yuen Wang	...	Ling's Mother
Yuet Siu Wong	...	Ghost in the Hospital
Florence Wu	...	Nurse
Tian Nan Wu	...	Calligraphy Teacher
Ben Yuen	...	Mr. Ching

Directed by
Oxide Pang Chun		(as Pang Brothers)
Danny Pang		(as Pang Brothers)

Writing credits
Jo Jo Yuet-chun Hui		(written by) (as Jojo Hui) and
Danny Pang		(written by) (as Pang Brothers) &
Oxide Pang Chun		(written by) (as Pang Brothers)

Produced by
Peter Chan	....	executive producer
Peter Chan	....	producer (as Peter Ho-Sun Chan)
Lawrence Cheng	....	executive producer
Lawrence Cheng	....	producer
Allan Fung	....	executive producer
Jo Jo Yuet-chun Hui	....	associate producer (as Jojo Hui)
Udom Piboonlapudom	....	co-producer
Eric Tsang	....	executive producer
Daniel Yun	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Orange Music

Cinematography by
Decha Srimantra		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Oxide Pang Chun		(as Pang Brothers)
Danny Pang		(as Pang Brothers)

Art Direction by
James David Goldmark
Simon So
Kritapas Suttinet

Costume Design by
Jittima Kongsri
Stephanie Wong

Makeup Department
Fung-yin Cheng	....	makeup artist (as Cheng Fung Yin)
Scntava Chuminjong	....	key makeup artist: Thailand
Rachel Kong	....	hair stylist (as Rachael Kwong)

Production Management
Wing-Wai Chin	....	production manager (as Chin Wing Wai)
Ekarat Hirancharoen	....	production manager: Thai unit (as Ekarat Hiransharoen)
Eric Huen	....	assistant production manager
Jittaima Leelahawan	....	production manager: Thai unit

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Cub Chin	....	assistant director

Art Department
Thongyog Boonpalitpol	....	storyboard artist: Thailandt
Ahiggha Boonyuun	....	model builder
Penny Chan	....	assistant art director
Komkrit Chugnum	....	props: Thailand
Santipab Danyiboon	....	props: Thailand
Teesawai Duangauam	....	set builder: Thailand
Jaruwan Jitchaivisut	....	property master: Thailand
Wai Kin Lam	....	property master (as Lam Wai Kin)
Vithaya Navathong	....	assistant art director: Thailand
Tan Srieam	....	props: Thailand
Vallop Sudaysh	....	model builder
Thann Wrong	....	model builder

Sound Department
Thanasak Julakate	....	foley artist
Petpong Keawkoon	....	foley recordist
Sooksun Klinkhajohn	....	sound effects
Narcing Krajoguum	....	foley recordist
Chart Mahapichayakul	....	foley artist
Oxide Pang Chun	....	sound (as Oxide Pang)
Somsak Pimpalai	....	sound effects
Surawan Sricharoen	....	foley artist
Somsak Supakpong	....	boom operator
Sumit Suparangsimakul	....	sound recordist
Nipa Wichusupaksirikul	....	foley artist

Visual Effects by
Patiporn Anuvanitravel	....	quality control
Angie Chan	....	3D computer animator
Sornrop Chankeewong	....	optical effects
Vivian Cheuk	....	digital visual effects producer
Tommy Chin Wing Cheung	....	digital compositor (as Tommy Cheung)
Rubens Chiu	....	3D computer animator
Frankie Chung	....	digital visual effects supervisor
Sannucha Dhisayabutr	....	optical effects
Dennis Fong	....	3D computer animator
Jack Ho	....	3D computer animator
Suchart Hongsmut	....	optical effects
Pravit Jaivijit	....	optical effects (as Pravit Jaivuit)
Josephine Leung	....	3D computer animator
Wai Kit Leung	....	3D computer animator (as Leung Wai Kit)
Uthit Netwong	....	optical effects
Atta Wong	....	digital compositor
Jaco Wong	....	digital compositor
Passakorn Yaisiri	....	color grader
Alex Yip	....	film scanning

Camera and Electrical Department
Michael Chui	....	gaffer
Thcingchai Epuminsat	....	focus puller: second unit
Kin Kwong Ho	....	focus puller (as Ho Kin Kwong)
Tha Wan Inpuwa	....	gaffer
Chut Kumcharoen	....	focus puller
Sermpong Nimjaroenpong	....	camera operator: second unit (as Sermpong Nimcharcenbong)
Kultida Punfuk	....	still photographer: Thailand
Wichien Reungwichayakul	....	camera operator: second unit (as Wichean Reungwitchayakul)
Somsak Srisawat	....	Steadicam operator: Thailand
Pocinlert Tcihpratip	....	focus puller: third unit
Hung Fei Wong	....	still photographer (as Wong Hung Fei)
Jimmy Wong	....	Steadicam operator

Animation Department
Ronald To	....	main titles animation and design
King Ho Tse	....	main titles animation and design (as Tse Kin Ho)
Manda Wai Suk Fan	....	main titles animation and design (as Manda Wai)
Mokana Wong	....	main titles animation and design

Casting Department
Samart Tunsadee	....	casting director: Thailand

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Anud Sanardhan	....	wardrobe: Thailand
Napat Sangoiang	....	wardrobe: Thailand
Yu Ho Tang	....	costumes (as Tang Yu Ho)
Manaporn Thiparksate	....	wardrobe: Thailand

Editorial Department
Sakchai Nuengsawad	....	negative cutter
Manop Petchiu	....	negative cutter (as Manop Petchyu)
Panutat Wisetwong	....	assistant editor

Transportation Department
Scmsak Tantipongsa	....	transportation: Thailand
Chi Leung Wan	....	transportation (as Wun Chi Leung)

Other crew
Wrawut Churchom	....	craft service: Thailand
Yuk Ha Lau	....	craft service (as Lau Yuk Ha)
Pisit Lixibunnakorn	....	laboratory consultant (as Pisit Liobunnakorn)
Kent Lui	....	location manager (as Ken Lui)
Aorawan Maneerat	....	craft service: Thailand
Nutcha Meansaiyad	....	continuity
Sandy Ng	....	continuity
Pairoj Prempri	....	laboratory consultant (as Dr. Pairoj Prempri)
Anuway Sanaraadhan	....	location manager: Thailand
Pison Santawanpas	....	laboratory consultant
Pancimkrit Udomsangpeth	....	location manager: Thailand
Chung-yiu Yeung	....	production assistant (as Yeung Chung Yiu)

Production Companies

• Applause Pictures (present)
• Mediacorp Raintree Pictures (as Raintree Pictures)

Distributors

• A-Film Distribution (2003) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Central Partnership (2003) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Eagle Pictures (2003) (Italy) (theatrical)
• EuropaCorp. Distribution (2003) (France) (theatrical)
• Klock Worx Company, The (2003) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Mediacorp Raintree Pictures (2002) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Metro Tartan Distribution Ltd. (2002) (UK) (theatrical)
• Mongrel Media (2003) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Palm Pictures (2003) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Primer Plano Film Group (2005) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Alberto Bitelli Intl. Films (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Highlight Film (Germany) (DVD)
• Madman Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Palisades Tartan (2009) (UK) (all media)
• Panorama Entertainment (Hong Kong) (DVD)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2005) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2005) (Argentina) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Centro Digital Pictures Ltd. (special visual effects)

Other Companies

• Advertising Production Company  location shooting in Thailand produced by
• Bangkok Symphony  special thanks
• Empire Hotel, Kowloon  special thanks
• Hong Kong Blind Union  special thanks
• Jeremy Walker + Associates  publicity
• Kantana Animation Co. Ltd.  processing and prints
• Kodak (Far East)  film stock
• Media Business Service Limited  dialogue dubbing studio
• Moonbeam Equipment Co.  camera equipment provided by
• New World First Ferry Services  special thanks (as New World First Ferry)
• Oriental Post Co. Ltd.  telecine
• St James' Settlement  special thanks
• Sun Light and Grip Equipment Company  grip and lighting equipment
• Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority  special thanks (as Television & Entertainment Licensing Authority: Film Services Office)
• Toplight Engineering  camera equipment provided by
• Tseung Kwan O Cemetery  special thanks

Also Known As:

The Eye (International: English title) (UK)
Jian gui (Hong Kong: Mandarin title)
Seeing Ghosts (literal English title)
El ojo (Argentina) (festival title) [es]
Khon hen phi (Thailand: Thai title) [th]
The Eye (France) [fr]
The Eye (Italy) [it]
The Eye - Mit den Augen einer Toten (Germany) (TV title) [de]
The eye - El ojo (Spain) [es]
To mati (Greece) [el]

MPAA:

Rated R for some disturbing images.

Runtime:

99 min | Argentina:110 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival) | Canada:94 min (DVD) | Sweden:94 min (DVD)

Country:

Hong Kong | Singapore

Language:

Cantonese | Thai | English | Mandarin | Hakka

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18SG (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (cut version) | Portugal:M/18 | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:16 | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Argentina:16 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Norway:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Company:

Applause Pictures

Trivia:

The beginning (the operation for a blind girl to see again) and the end of the film are based on true stories the Pang brothers read about in the news.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mun leaves the apartment and then crouches down to talk to the young boy about the report card, she is right beside the apartment door, but in the next shot, her Grandmother looks out of the peephole in the door. Mun is now suddenly right in front of the door, on the other side of the hallway.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Deadly Visions (2004) (TV)

One of the year's best horror movies, though the subtitles will sadly put many people off

Even the website of this movie gave me the creeps. And it turned out to be one of the scariest movies I've seen in a while.

We follow the touching story of a young Hong Kong girl, blind from her earliest years, who undergoes a cornea transplant. After softening us up with lots of nice sentiment, the horror kicks her new found sight brings its own macabre rewards. Snappy editing and a well-timed score heighten the horrors that pack nanchuka punches to the guts. About a third of the audience was cowering behind their hands for the last half. In an age when American horror flicks are starting to look weary from over-use of CGI special effects or are toned down by self-censorship to reach a wider audience, The Eye comes in as a deftly woven real cardiac-stimulation shocker.

Sadly, the fact that it is subtitled limits the potential audience as many people simply refuse to go and see foreign language films until they have been genuinely moved or terrified by one. If you like horror movies and want to experiment, this is a good chance, and one of the best in the genre since the little shown Audition earlier this year.