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Curse of the Deserted

Name: Curse of the Deserted
Director: Lo Chi-Leung
Released: 2010
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

5.3/10

Fair

2010

Director

Lo Chi-Leung

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Curse of the Deserted is a traditional genre piece that relies heavily on historical clichés and conventional social hierarchies. It functions as a standard regional horror film that reinforces established norms rather than challenging them. The film's strength lies in its cultural immersion and its critique of communal violence. However, it lacks diversity in identity representation, focusing almost exclusively on traditional gender roles and straight-centered relationships. Ultimately, the narrative structure prioritizes traditional moral outcomes, using historical folklore to explore themes of loyalty and systemic fear within a homogeneous setting.

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Category Breakdown

Does Curse of the Deserted have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on heterosexual relationships and traditional monogamy. There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender roles.

How does Curse of the Deserted portray gender?

Fair

Yanzi is a strong character whose actions are tied to her role as a wife. Men often hold positions of authority, while women face moral vulnerabilities.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Curse of the Deserted?

Fair

The film offers a rich cultural experience rooted in Chinese history and folklore. The cast and setting are ethnically uniform, reflecting Ming Dynasty traditions.

How does Curse of the Deserted represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative examines the conflict between personal emotions and communal morality. It critiques mob mentality while upholding traditional values and ancestral vows.

Does Curse of the Deserted include disability representation?

Limited

A terminal illness serves as a plot device rather than a detailed exploration of disability. Physical weakness is used to evoke social isolation and horror.

Present on Screen

Offers deep immersion into Chinese historical aesthetics and folklore.
Provides a compelling critique of communal fear and mob mentality.

Limited or Absent

Does not include LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender roles.
Focuses on traditional gender roles and straight-centered relationships.
Uses physical illness as a horror device rather than a nuanced portrayal of disability.

Official Synopsis

Young writer Guo (Shawn Yue) wrote about a titular curse in his book, “The Deserted Village”. It began 500 years ago in the Ming Dynasty, when one of the villagers died of terminal illness. The widow Yanzi vowed to stay with her husband forever but when the man suddenly returned to life. The horrified neighbours believed that he was a monster. They burned him to death and torched his mansion. The devastated Yanzi upheld her vow and threw herself into the fire. Since then, the village was cursed and the mansion subsequent inhabitant dies mysteriously. Some say only couples who share true love can survive in that village. Those who are unfaithful will come to their demise. To the world, the book was pure fiction. Only Guo and his ex-girlfriend Zhi (Kitty Zhang) had lived through the horror to know its existence. When four college students decided to explore the village themselves, the trip led them to an ancient well in Yanzi’s mansion, where the curse was unleashed once again.

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