Chinese people are superstitious. And so are New Yorkers.
In the programme of this year's New York Asian Film Festival, organisers warned the audience of the potential aftermath of watching one of its films: 'Note: Any injuries sustained by the audience during or immediately after the screening of Development Hell are not the responsibility of the New York Asian Film Festival.'
So what the hell is Development Hell? It turns out that it's a documentary directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Hiroshi Fukazawa (left) that freaked out the festival's organisers. The film followed the development of Bodyguards and Assassins, believed to be one of Hong Kong's most 'cursed' productions, from the first take done in the 1960s by Peter Chan Ho-sun's father to finally being successfully turned into an award-winning epic directed by Teddy Chen and produced by Chan. People involved in the film at different stages told their tales ranging from financial disasters to suicides and death.
What was more bizarre was that Fukazawa got run over by a car while shooting the documentary.
The film will be shown on June 27, and Fukazawa will be attending the screening. Let's wish him a safe and happy trip.
