Shiver - When Haunting Visions Meet Serial Killings

October 2005 – Press Release
SHIVER
When Haunting Visions Meet Serial Killings

Manila, 3 October 2005 – Featuring Hong Kong sex symbol Athena Chu-yan, award-winning veteran actor Francis Ng and rising comedian Nick Cheung, SHIVER is an excellent supernatural thriller that’s solidly engrossing from beginning to end. But adding to its chill factor is a string of unexplained setbacks during the filming process - from power outages to strange events that delayed production and marketing schedules, this is a film with a supernatural dimension beyond the screen. Is the film cursed as rumour would have you believe? Watch and find out. Premiering Saturday, 22 October at 21:00 on STAR CHINESE MOVIES.

Athena Chu delivers one of her most intense performances here, as a lady wracked with doubt about whether she’s clairvoyant or insane. Chu's problems begin when she’s injured in a shootout involving policeman husband Francis Ng. The visions start soon afterwards – visions that involve wandering ghosts whose injuries reflect the deeds of a serial killer. In order to discover the mysteries behind it, Ng takes on the investigation even though Chu's doctor (Nick Cheung) wants him to quit, which puts him and his wife into the path of danger…

Hong Kong director Billy Chung does an exemplary job with the direction. His deft command of the material leads to a tremendously entertaining and gripping movie, demonstrating that the horror genre too, has room for creativity. SHIVER may even be Chung's most accomplished work to date. From delving into relationship problems to using psychological terror to further the story, director Chung displays a sure hand in mixing potentially clashing elements, shifting gears throughout the film with ease. SHIVER definitely stands firmly head and shoulders above the rest of the horror pack.

Adding to this are the actors, who turn in effective and sometimes surprising performances. Francis Ng is dependably intense, while Athena Chu ditches her usual sex kitten image to carry out this unglamorous role with convincing distress. Nick Cheung also turns in an against-type performance as a doctor whose quiet nature belies hidden emotions. Even the cinematography is a step above average. This is a rare quality movie that will please horror film buffs AND surprise discerning moviegoers with the same stroke. Don’t miss it. Premiering Saturday, 22 October at 21:00 on STAR CHINESE MOVIES.

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