In the 90s, Hong Kong came out with several Category III films featuring softcore erotics - Cat III films are as racy as they get, showing violence and sexual scenarios with delicate glee.

Really, though, these movies are no worse than American rated 'R' films, though the difference is that these films are Chinese, and often led to scandals with the actresses. These scandals would, naturally, help the careers of some actresses, most notably Shu Qi, who is now a talented, popular actress in China, having starred in "If You Are the One" in 2009.

The original Cat III films were high production features, depicting ancient erotic texts in glorious costume and stage productions, a real treat for Western viewers who might never think that such uninhibited sexuality exists in China.

These films fell to the wayside after the availability of smuggled pornography and DVDs, the ease of access to smut on the internet was yet another knife in the Cat III epic.

That's why it's with some energy and vigour that I present a review of "The Forbidden Legend: Sex and Chopsticks", a 2008 sex comedy that brings an ancient Chinese novel, The Plum in the Golden Vase, to the big screen.

While the film fails to capture the excitement and storytelling of the original Sex and Zen films, "Sex and Chopsticks" gives male audiences what they want: sexy Asian actresses contorting and writhing in pleasure, and ridiculously silly comedy.
The lead actor, Lam Wai-Kin, is awful and unappealing, serving only to bring the legend of a man with a huge penis and infinite virility that beds a stable of women... it's eye-rolling to be sure, but I suppose that's how the novel plays out, as a man's fantasy world, with the women screaming 'it's so biiiiig!'. There's hardly any plot here, other than Lam out to sleep with as many women as possible, even finding a female monk at a monastery.

Personally, this aspect of the film disappoints me - I much prefer the Chinese legends of the yao jing, a sexual fairy that preys on men, stealing their energy. By turning the women into predators, the sexual imbalance is delightfully reversed, and becomes disarming and playful.

"Sex and Chopsticks" doesn't try to reverse anything, though - this is straight-up, man taking virgins and visiting brothels.

LoveHKFilm notes that few Hong Kong or Mandarin actresses will risk a Cat III film, as it might ruin their career, so the shapely ladies in this film are all from Japan, very willingly disrobing and exclaiming in false pleasure.

While the movie may not find appeal among mainstream audiences, to Filthy Friday fans like me, this is a step in the right direction. With excellent production quality, and a keen eye to make the actors look as sexual as possible, "Sex and Chopsticks" only suffers from a limp script and lack of pacing - but that is easily forgotten when the female monk, married and excitable, engages in a lusty three-way with her husband and a soft-skinned friend.