Plot: What’s it about?
Mei Yan Ching (Lawrence Ng) is a scholar with some unusual ideas, most of which are focused on sexuality, a favorite subject of his. Although Buddhism speaks of a more puritan approach to sex, Ching argues that one should have total sexual freedom, the kind of freedom that allows one to have sex with anyone they so desire. But his own wife Chao Yin (Amy Yip) is not so open and while she is the daughter of an important man, she hasn’t enough power to tame the will of her new husband. He soon reveals his interest in having sex with as many women as possible, but she shuns the idea and he decides to leave her behind, to further his sexual adventures. But he discovers that most women want little to do with him, as he has a very small penis and to increase his chances, he elicits the aid of a thief. The thief agrees to help him get to the women, but Ching must first get a penis transplant and he goes all the way, getting the massive member of a horse attached. Will his sexual conquests provide him the internal peace hopes, or will he be left scarred and alone, and of course, what will become of his wife?
This is a hilarious, outrageous, and erotic Category III picture that has to be seen to be believed, it is that unusual. Sex & Zen earns the Cat. III rating because of nudity and sexual content, both of which are found in ample amount, to say the least. You’ll see a ton of naked women here, in all sorts of combinations, including one with a flute that brings to mind American Pie, though this film predates that one, of course. As if the magical flute routine wasn’t enough, Sex & Zen contains a penis transplant, a simply classic honeymoon escapade, and some of the most offbeat, complex sex scenes you’ll ever see. The phrase “don’t try this at home” truly applies in this case, as the attempt to make use of some of the positions seen here could lead to serious injuries, if not worse. The erotic side of the picture works well, as the sex sequences are well filmed and feature beautiful starlets, but Sex & Zen also packs a potent comedic punch. No, this is not going to be everyone’s cup of cinematic tea, but if you’re a fan of artistic erotic comedies (and who isn’t?), I highly recommend Sex & Zen, the finest (and maybe only?) picture of its kind.
You’ll see a multitude of beautiful women in Sex & Zen, but as always, Amy Yip manages to stand out within the crowd. Yip is the most famous Category III actress of all time, though she has been dormant since 1997, when she retired to settle down. With her slim figure, gorgeous face, and ample breasts, Yip seems like the perfect choice to be a star in a film like Sex & Zen, so of course, she seems right at home. As always, the camera allows us to see just what it wants to, before Yip’s assets are again well concealed. She has a perky presence that fits the comic side of the material too, so she is more than just a pretty face, to be sure. Other films with Yip include Robotrix, Erotic Ghost Story, Miracles, Indian Fetish Cult, and China Dolls. The cast also includes Lawrence Ng (Doctor Mack, Dragon Inn), Kent Chang (Dr. Lamb, Once Upon a Time in China), and Carrie Ng (Naked Killer, Remains of a Woman).
Video: How does it look?
Sex & Zen is presented in a 1.85:1 widescreen transfer, which is not enhanced for widescreen televisions. As expected, the print used is a little worn and has nicks, grain, and a soft appearance at times, but the image is much better than expected and blows previous versions out of the water, without question. The intense reds & pinks seen here seem to bound off the screen at times, which is good, since the hues play such a pivotal role in the film’s visual scheme. The other colors also look good, with minimal muting present and with a soft image at times, that is good news indeed. The black levels are a shade or two lighter than I’d like, but given the material involved, I wasn’t let down in the least. So while this presentation does have some flaws, it still looks terrific and fans of the film should be most pleased.
Audio: How does it sound?
A Cantonese mono track is used here, which won’t showcase your home theater, but rest assured, it gets the job done. The materials seem to be in acceptable condition, as hiss and harshness are minimal, always great news, of course. The dialogue is clean and never sounds too shrill, while music is stable and consistent, a solid overall mix here. As with any mono option, you won’t have much as far as presence goes, but the sound effects come through well enough, all things considered. This disc also contains subtitles in English and Chinese (simplified & traditional), should you need those.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes some talent files, as well as the film’s theatrical trailer.
