When Heaven Burns production team Jonathan Chik and Chow Yuk Ming's new series Master of Play sets off controversial topics once again. There are many bloody murder and suicide scenes, that has been disturbing to audience. Following the 25 complaints on the premiere episode, last night the episode two broadcast, received another 30 complaints. In the episode, Moses Chan's 'cold-blooded homicidal maniac' character, Cheung Sai Yin, first murdered Uncle Tin, then burned his body. There were a total of 55 complaints in the two episodes combined. However, the series has also been widely complimented online, Netizens praised the series for having depth and that they will continue to support it. Although Master of Play was said to have implications to the Tiananmen Incident of 1989, TVB denied and expressed their pity that the creative work is getting twisted.
(Spoilers) In episode two, the plot was about Cheung Sai Yin (Moses) feeling uneasy when his Uncle made an unexpected visit at his home and this triggered his intention to kill. His Uncle was at the phone booth when Moses came up behind him and strangled him to death. Then he hid the body in his magician's box and wheeled the box into the ceramics room next to his studio. He then increased the temperature to 1260 degrees and burned the body into ashes. Finally, he flushed the ashes down the toilet. Moses' cold-blooded acting greatly frightened audience and he was crowned the new generation "Homicidal Maniac". Netizens said he has successfully become the TVB character that murdered the most people.
Yesterday it was reported that new TVB series Master of Play has excessive bloody scenes and has implications of the Tiananmen Incident of 1989 (aka June Fourth Incident). TVB Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs (Tsang Sing Ming) expressed: "We had especially discussed this matter with Production Director Catherine Tsang, producer Jonathan Chik and editor Chow YukMing. They all believe the report is twisting the production's original meaning and feels some regret. Initially, they have already made it clear that the series is meant to investigate human nature, morality, sinking into bad habits and the reality of life. It has nothing to do with the Tianamen Incident. As for the bloody scenes, the intention is to convey the suspenseful plot and therefore a weird bloody atmosphere was created. So, please do not relate the series to any political event."
Tsang Sing Ming: Feeling Helpless
Mr. Tsang continued and said the excessive bloody scenes was only for the concept of the production and it is the effect created for the plot. Internal research and compliance to the Broadcast Regulations has been made prior to the shoot. Also, before each episode's broadcast, a PG warning is displayed to warn viewers of the bloody scenes. Asked if there are any new complaints? Mr. Tsang said: "We haven't received any today (5/23), but we did receive 1 compliment, that the series is attractive, making them want to watch more. In fact, we have had many different opinions in the past. [People] believed that TVB series are geared too much towards the housewife audiences, and encourages that we make different series, but now [with something different], we get this kind of reaction. Honestly, it does feel helpless, but TVB will still insist and encourage creative works and improvements." Mr. Tsang made a final statement that the reports will not affect the viewership as Master of Play is airing simultaneously overseas.
Source: Mingpao
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum
