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Local Horror Anthology Film, Late Night Ride to commence filming during Hungry Ghost Month

By Flora / 07 Aug 2019 (Wednesday)

Photo Credit: Clover Films

The Hungry Ghost Festival is a month-long period where it is believed that the gates of the netherworld are opened. Various rituals and rites take place around the city to appease the wandering spirits. During this month, there are many dos and don’ts to be observed such as avoid swimming pools and to leave front row seats empty during getai performances.

While there isn’t a rule book when it comes to shooting a movie, most filmmakers may avoid it, but not for director Koh Chong Wu, who will be commencing his horror anthology film, Late Night Ride on the 15th of August. The film stars Andie Chen, Jayley Woo, Lina Ng and Constance Lau.

At the lensing ceremony on Tuesday, Koh shared that it wasn’t an intentional move to start the shoot during this ghost month, but it was more of scheduling purposes.

“I have this belief that when it comes to shooting horror films, the more you focus too much about it, the more there is a tendency something may happen. So I didn’t specifically ask to avoid any dates for this shoot.”

He added: “Whatever we can do, like prayers and all, the team has already done it. I feel what is important is that we do not fool around on set and to not overthink it.”

Late Night Ride is an anthological horror film revolving 3 stories and 3 modes of transport - be it cycling, driving or commuting on a bus, no one is spared. A youngster, who is active on social media, finds herself trapped in twilight zone after walking away from a car accident indirectly caused by her. A driver finds herself haunted while working on the road. She needs to figure out why before things get out of control. A father and son, who just lost a loved one from an accident, ends up on a late night bus ride where all dark secrets will be unveiled.

For Woo, filming her second horror movie doesn’t exactly make it easier. “I am excited to start shooting, but I am also pretty worried. A lot of my scenes are at Bedok Reservoir and they are mostly midnight shoot,” she quipped. Her previous horror film was 2013’s Ghost Child by Gilbert Chan.

“This is my first time filming a horror movie. So when I first received the script, I was excited and curious to see how the director is going to film the scenes,” said Chen. “I mean, there are really moments in the script where I wasn’t able to imagine how it was going to be shot, so I am excited to watch him (Koh) direct.”

When it comes to taking ‘precautions’, Chen was rather nonchalant about it, sharing that he will be taking more vitamins to maintain a healthy state of mind. “Because I have young kids at home and I sleep with my children, so perhaps before going to bed, I will make sure to take a bath and clean myself after each shoot.”

As for the supernatural elements like the ghosts featured in the movie, Koh hopes to ‘keep it real’.

He said: “I do feel that when things are more tactile, more physical, I would want to focus more on that as opposed to using pure vfx (special effects). Not that I won’t be using it at all, but it comes in as more of a support to the overall look and feel.”

“As for the design for the characters or the ghosts, I did do some research into the places the folklores of how the ghosts will look like and all. But sometimes when you see it, it’s the least scary, it is the unknown that is scary. Playing with that uncertainty, the ambience, playing with that ‘not knowing what’s there’ is probably what I would want to focus on the film and only reveal when necessary.”

Photo Credit: Clover Films

Late Night Ride is slated for release in the second quarter of 2020.

Late Night Ride Local Koh Chong Wu Andie Chen Jayley Woo Lina Ng Constance Lau.

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Local Horror Anthology Film, Late Night Ride to commence filming during Hungry Ghost Month