'Sex and Zen': Stephen Shiu on his spectacular 3D soft porn film

We sat down with Stephen Shiu who is about to make Hong Kong's very first 3D film -- a soft core porn called "Sex and Zen."

Read more about it at Seeing is believing: 3D porn revival begins in Hong Kong.

CNNGo: What inspired you to make this movie?

Stephen Shiu: Since 3D technology became more common, I have been conceptualizing this movie. Also, there has not been any memorable soft core porn in recent years, so I thought a 3D porno would get everyone's attention.

CNNGo：What can audiences expect from the story of "Sex and Zen" (adapted from a classic Chinese tale)?

Shiu: The technology of course is completely new, also it is a locally-produced 3D movie. But most importantly, the classic story needs to appeal to modern audiences. The script is much better than the original. I don't want to give too much away, but I can give you an example: the original film was about karmic retribution, but 20 years on, this theme is a bit dumb. Who would worry that they would receive karmic retribution because their wife became a prostitute? Between men and women nowadays, it is about sentiments and love. For example, in the movie "Indecent Proposal" the male and female protagonists ignored society's judgements and followed their hearts, choosing love.

CNNGo：Do you think dialogue is important in a soft core film?

Shiu: The soft core that I have made is at a standard where you can take away all the sex scenes and still have a great movie. If we don't reach this level, then nothing distringuishes our movies from hard core porn.

CNNGo：What do you think makes a good porn?

Shiu: The script is really important, the sex scenes have to be spectacular too, they have to turn people on. To achieve this, there must be emotions behind the sex, the plot must be full of touching moments, and the audience really have to get into the plot, then the story will turn you on.

CNNGo：How come the porn produced in Hong Kong is not as good as it used to be?

Shiu: 1998 was a turning point when a lot of hard core was freely available for download online and a variety of pornographic websites popped up.  People didn't need to go to the cinema for their porn anymore.  And if there's no audience, then there are no investors and the quality goes downhill. But 3D is different, you have to go to the cinema for the full effect of a 3D movie. Investors are already reaching out to us to follow up with a 4D version.

CNNGo：Have you seen any soft core that has left a big impression on you?

Shiu: There are too many impressive films, each period had its own classic soft core. From "Deep Throat" to "Emmanuelle" to Hong Kong film "The Fruit is Ripe" or a more art-house one would be the Japanese "In the Realm of Senses." Each one was representative of its time and had its distinct appeal.

CNNGo：So in "Sex and Zen," which are the scenes that will use 3D effects?

Shiu: Well, it will be used to express the sex scenes fully and it will add tension to the scenes. Let's put it this way, things will certainly pop out of the screen at the right moment. Haha. Just come along to the show and find out for yourself.