Paranoia. If I could use one word to describe this film, I do not think I could find a better one, for a movie that uses Buddhism as its base in order to present a frantic, ultra violent spectacle. Let us take things from the beginning though.
“The Temple of the Devilbuster” is screening at Taiwan Film Festival Berlin
The story revolves around a young man and a woman, both of which are completely bold. Despite the fact that the guy, Tai-bao is a true delinquent attacking anyone that comes his way and the girl A-Queen, the personification of the noble fighter, the two of them soon find their fates entangled when the former crashes a car on the latter. Eventually, it is revealed that both are the reincarnations of the Devil Star with their role being to take upon themselves the sins of others. As the two realize their connection, however, the police, the criminal underworld, and a sodomizing priest who seems to be the root of all evil are on their heels and violence is inevitable.
Wang I-fan directs a film that emits raw energy from every frame, with the combination of the frantic editing, extreme music and violent action allowing the movie to function as a rather intense music video, in a style that frequently reminded me of Guy Richie’s tactics, particularly regarding the use of fast-forward and the overall pace. At the same time, the presentation of the police and Buddhism, as mirrored on the priest, induce the movie with a sense that lingers between the slapstick and the blasphemous, and also works wonders for the narrative.
The action scenes in the film are impressive, with the combination of uncanny speed, intense (neon) colors ,and the grotesque violence resulting in a true visual extravaganza, highlighting Wang’s direction and the cinematography in the best way.
Lin Dao-yu as Tai-bao is a genuine mad dog who does not seem to stop anywhere, while Annica Panna is equally good as the more “logical” A-Queen.
Not much more to say, if you like exploitation, speed, intense colors and extreme violence in your film, look no further, “Temple of the Devilbuster” has it all.
