Yule is a neo-pagan festival celebrated by modern pagans, particularly those who follow the Wiccan and Heathen traditions. It is observed during the winter solstice, on or around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. Yule is a time of celebration and renewal, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. It symbolizes the return of the sun and the promise of longer days ahead. Many pagan traditions focus on the idea of rebirth and renewal during this time. The festival takes its name from the Old Norse word "jól" and is associated with ancient Norse and Germanic traditions.
This story boasts the strongest concepts, and we are not surprised because it is helmed by the critically acclaimed Chan. There is plenty to think about as the handheld camera shots assault the senses. Everything seems to be in a mess, yet poignant themes such as consumerism, greed, pandemic panic and real estate scams are constantly being explored.
You ll be kept intrigued as the characters share their back stories, face their fears to confront the water ghost, and scramble to get rid of a corpse. Distressed and driven to the edge, she can t tell whether she is suffering a relapse of her depression, or if she is being haunted by a menacing ghost.
The festival takes its name from the Old Norse word "jól" and is associated with ancient Norse and Germanic traditions. It was a time for feasting, drinking, and honoring the gods and ancestors. Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits, and evergreen decorations were used to symbolize the enduring spirit of life during the cold winter months.
TALES FROM THE OCCULT (失衡凶间) (2022)
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Fruit Chan, Fung Chih Chiang, Hoi Ip Sang, Wesley
Cast: Jerry Lamb, Cecilia So, Cherry Chung, Yeung Wai Lun, Monnie Li, Richie Ren, Sofiee Ng, Peter Chan, Paul Che, Baby Bo, Cherry Ngan, Ng Wing Sze, Kelvin Kwan, Van Chan
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Rating: NC16 (Some Mature Content & Violence)
Released By: Golden Village Pictures
Official Website:
Opening Day: 15 September 2022
Synopsis: Fear lives inside everyone’s hearts. Do you think you’re immune? You just haven’t found yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Produced by John Chong and Mathew Tang, Tales from the Occult features three eerie stories about spooky happenings in tight spaces: Dead Mall by Fruit Chan, The Tenement by Fung Chih Chiang and The Chink by Hoi Ip Sang, Wesley. They will take you into a terrifying world in which human nature is driven to extremes by twisted environments. Do you have the guts to go inside?
Movie Review:
Remember a time when we were spoilt (and scared silly) by movies like The Eye (2002), Three…Extremes (2004) and more recently, Rigor Mortis (2013)? Seeing ghosts after a cornea transplant operation, stuffing aborted fetuses in dumplings to achieve eternal youth, and spirits possessing a human’s body after a failed suicide attempt – these are the concepts behind these truly chilling horror flicks.
In this reported first instalment of Hong Kong production company and film distributor Media Asia’s new omnibus series, we are treated to three stories which remind us of the chills derived from the good ol’ Hong Kong horror genre.
The first segment directed by newcomer Weley Hoi tells the story of a pop singer (Cherry Ngan) who experiences scary events in her new apartment. We learn that she came face to face with a rotting corpse when she was a teenager. Are the creepy things she’s experiencing a result of the unsettling episode she went through as a young girl? Elsewhere, her uncle (the ever reliable Lawrence Cheng) is the psychiatrist trying to calm the terrified celebrity down.
Titled “The Chink”, this tale sets the tone for the 111 minute feature film. There is an unsettling atmosphere throughout, and there seems to be a repressed plot development waiting somewhere. You anticipate an outrageous twist, so when the segment ends on a straightforward note, you can’t help but wish there was something else cleverer instead. But on another level, the ending reflects a dread that traumatised individuals have to live with for the rest of their lives.
Fruit Chan, whom many of us are familiar with, is on form with the second segment “Dead Mall”. People are facing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the economy is in the dumps. We are introduced to an online influencer (Jerry Lamb) who hosts the popular “The Gate To Wealth” series. He is in a mall that seems to be thriving with business – until the camera pulls back and we realise the crowd is made up of paid actors. Retail spaces are empty, and business is non existent. Things get interesting when another online influencer and a mysterious figure show up in the mall.
This story boasts the strongest concepts, and we are not surprised because it is helmed by the critically acclaimed Chan. There is plenty to think about as the handheld camera shots assault the senses. Everything seems to be in a mess, yet poignant themes such as consumerism, greed, pandemic panic and real estate scams are constantly being explored.
The last segment directed by Fung Chih Chiang has the most structured story. Five strangers come together after a water ghost appears in the dilapidated building they stay in. Richie Ren and Sofiee Ng headline this tale that scores in entertainment value, with Ren delivering an unexpectedly hilarious performance as a gangster who had seen better days.
"The Tenement" is the easiest tale to follow. You’ll be kept intrigued as the characters share their back stories, face their fears to confront the water ghost, and scramble to get rid of a corpse. The plot thickens and you’ll be pulled into a murder mystery before the episode ends on a disturbing note. We can't wait for the second instalment of the series to hit the big screens.
Movie Rating:
(The spooky tales in this Hong Kong horror omnibus are competently told and provide old school scares)
Review by John Li
Into this death chamber steps Maggie (Michelle Wai Sze-nga), a former teen idol who is desperate to make her acting comeback. Ho happens to catch her in a particularly feisty mood during a late-night meeting and Hui, working with a simple yet effective story, keeps the tension high until the hair-raising end.
Today, modern pagans celebrate Yule in various ways. They may gather for rituals and ceremonies, exchange gifts, decorate Yule trees or altars, and share festive meals. Some traditions involve lighting a Yule log, which is burned to bring warmth and light into the home. The main idea of Yule is to honor the cycles of nature and the changing seasons. It is a time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the coming months. Many pagans see Yule as a time of spiritual connection and connection to the Earth. Overall, Yule is a neo-pagan festival that celebrates the winter solstice and the return of the sun. It is a time for renewal, reflection, and celebration in honor of nature's cycles..
Reviews for "The Feminine Divine: Honoring Goddesses during Yule in Neo Paganism"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I attended the Yule neo pagan festival last year, and I was thoroughly disappointed. Firstly, the event was poorly organized. There was a lack of clear signage and information, making it difficult to navigate around the festival grounds. Additionally, the scheduling was all over the place, with overlapping activities and workshops that were not properly planned.
Furthermore, the quality of the workshops and presentations was subpar. Many of the presenters seemed unprepared and unenthusiastic, resulting in a lackluster experience. Moreover, the vendors at the festival were limited and offered overpriced products. Overall, I would not recommend attending the Yule neo pagan festival if you are looking for a well-organized and engaging experience.
2. John - 2 stars
As someone who has attended several pagan festivals in the past, I was disappointed by the Yule neo pagan festival. While the concept of celebrating Yule in a neo pagan setting intrigued me, the execution was lacking. The overall atmosphere felt disorganized and chaotic, with little regard for the participants' experience.
The main events and rituals were poorly executed, lacking the depth and meaning that I was expecting. It felt more like a commercial venture rather than a true celebration of the pagan tradition. Additionally, the facilities and amenities were inadequate, with long lines for bathrooms and unclean food options. All in all, I left the festival feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Yule neo pagan festival, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The festival grounds were overcrowded, making it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the experience. The lack of space made it challenging to find a quiet spot for meditation or reflection. Moreover, the overall energy of the festival was questionable, with many attendees seemingly more interested in partying rather than embracing the spiritual significance of Yule.
The workshops and classes offered were generic and lacked depth. It felt like a missed opportunity to educate and enlighten attendees about the true essence of Yule and pagan traditions. Furthermore, the event organizers did not effectively communicate important details before or during the festival, leading to confusion and frustration. In conclusion, the Yule neo pagan festival did not live up to its potential and left me feeling unfulfilled.