Dai juk hei kek

I will start by saying that "Vulgaria" (aka "Dai juk hei kek") is a very unusual movie to make it out of the Hong Kong cinema. It was a fresh breath of air given its bizarre approach and outrageous story. That being said, then I feel there was also something genuine missing from the story, which sadly resulted in a mediocre movie. "Vulgaria" had so much potential to be really unique and memorable, but failed to utilize the opportunity.

The storyline is about a financially challenged Hong Kong movie producer who ends up aspiring for funding his movie at the hands of a mainland Chinese triad gang in Guangxi. Producer To (played by Chapman To) is struggling with custody of his daughter as his ex-wife is more than adamant about not letting him see his daughter. And he is seeing more than talent in the movie's female lead Popping Candy (played by Dada Chan).

There are many interesting aspects and layers to "Vulgaria", but it was like enjoying a meal prepared without spices. Yes, the movie was just missing a key ingredient, and as such it ended as a flat, mediocre movie.

The acting in the movie was good, and the actors and actresses really performed so well, and they really carried the movie quite well. Chapman To is of course fabulous in "Vulgaria", as is in all of his movies.

"Vulgaria" is a rare moment of cinema to make it out of Hong Kong, and as such you should watch it if you are a fan of Asian cinema. However, if you are not overly familiar with Hong Kong cinema, perhaps you are far better off with a different movie.