Ebola Syndrome - DVD (Discotekmedia) Directed by: Herman Yau

EBOLA SYNDROME - (sealed DVD - brand new) Released by Discotekmedia in 2007. Directed by Herman Yau, Yi boh lai beng duk (Ebola Syndrome, 1996) is an infamous Hong Kong CAT III entry. Since 1988, Category III has been Hong Kong’s most restrictive certificate – “No persons younger than 18 years of age are permitted to rent, purchase, or watch this film in the cinema.” The content of the films are extremely graphic in nature with gory depictions of violence and/or are sexually explicit. It stars Anthony Wong, who also starred in Yau’s earlier, and equally vile (in a good way), Bat sin fan dim: Yan yuk cha siu bau (The Untold Story, 1993). Kai San (Wong) is the most despicable human being you could hope NOT to meet – a perverted, violent, demented scumbag who has no qualms of raping and murdering.

Kai contracts the Ebola virus. This fatal disease dissolves the internal organs, causing the victim to bleed both internally and externally, with other symptoms including fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. With no cure, death from massive blood loss occurs during the second week of infection. However, Kai just so happens to be one in ten million immune to the lethal disease, and unbeknownst to him, he becomes a carrier, spreading it around to anyone who is exposed to his bodily fluids – blood, saliva, and semen. The film is as disgusting and mean spirited as expected, although black as coal humour is employed throughout these horrid proceedings.

Ebola Syndrome is highly entertaining. From Wong’s engaging performance, the zaniness of the storyline with what is essentially distasteful subject matter, the revolting imagery, to the pitch perfect timed dark humour; it is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of exploitation from beginning to end. It simply has to be seen to be believed! Discotek - DT015