There are movies that get under your skin with their stories, others are disturbing with escalating carnage, and others are just burned into your memory with disgustingly crazy ideas. And then there are exceptions like “Ebola syndromes“: The legendary Hong Kong shocker combines practically everything that makes cinema difficult to digest.
Considered one of the most brutal films of the 90s, Herman Yau’s exploitation thriller (“The Untold Story”) is really only for the hardened of the hardened – at least that’s the opinion of the author of this article, who has rarely seen such nihilistic cinema. Sound like a movie to you? Then there is good news for you: “Ebola Syndrome” will be released on Blu-ray for the first time in Germany on May 19, 2023 in the completely uncut version – fitting, of course, as a limited edition in the media book:
Busch Media immediately donates “Ebola Syndrome”. four media book editions each limited to 1,000 copies, containing the film in its uncut version on Blu-ray. the four variants have the same content – all media books come with a 16-page booklet and serialization – differing only in appearance. Extraordinary even for a genre board of this caliber: not just the one that can be ordered right now Cover C*, but also those that are not yet or no longer available Cover A*, Cover B* And Cover D* all make it immediately clear what kind of film is behind it.
“Ebola Syndrome”: That’s Why You Should Be Warned…
In ‘Ebola Syndrome’, Herman Yau basically tells nothing more than the story of a super spreader – which is quite relevant in Corona times. However, the film gets its shock factor not so much from the parallels with the current global health situation, but rather from the countless atrocities that Yau so ruthlessly and explicitly staged.
From the very first scene, no prisoners are taken here: Within minutes, the first act of blood followed, including a tongue cut out and a girl doused in gasoline. It’s not long before more bodily fluids follow in abundance – be it saliva, semen or even vomit. If you also have a problem with animals like chickens or frogs (real ones) being cruelly and almost casually killed on camera, then you should have your “Ebola Syndrome” issues…
… and that even before (!) the film really gains momentum with the main character Kai (Anthony Wong) who is infected with Ebola: Kai assaults an unconscious native in South Africa and, after the horrific outcome of that rape, makes , his way back to his homeland of Hong Kong, where the horror takes its course. He carries the virus into the world, deliberately (!) passes it on to countless people – and mercilessly continues the bloodshed.
“Ebola Syndrome”: Hong Kong cinema of “Category III”
“Category III” is the highest age rating of the Hong Kong Motion Picture Rating System and was introduced in 1988 to classify particularly harsh and/or revealing films produced primarily in Hong Kong – which also caused a sensation in the rest of the world with their often uncompromising orgies of violence.
These films also enjoy a kind of cult status in German-speaking countries. Among other things, they caught the attention of genre fans with the CAT III series from the Austrian distributor ILLUSIONS UNLTD. Movies, in which “Ebola Syndrome” was released on DVD a few years ago alongside “Men Behind The Sun” and “Meat Grinder”.