Ghost comedy film to hit screens on Saturday

Life as a human can be challenging and stressful, but what if the afterlife isn't any easier?

This intriguing and innovative concept is at the core of Dead Talents Society, which has recently been nominated for the Best Asian Chinese Language Film entry of the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards.

Starring Chen Bo-lin, Sandrine Pinna, and Gingle Wang, the movie presents a unique ghost world where spirits must work hard to prove their worth. Their success is measured by their ability to scare humans — a crucial standard that determines whether they earn a paper certificate, which guarantees they can avoid vanishing forever.

The story follows a young female ghost who, facing the threat of fading away in 30 days, must earn her certificate. Along the way, she is recruited by a ghost agent and receives guidance from an afterlife celebrity. After a series of failures, she achieves an unexpected breakthrough, not only securing her survival but also earning the affection of her teammates.

While Dead Talents Society might seem like an unlikely horror film, it is far from frightening. Instead, it is filled with comedic moments and clever social commentary. It stirs audiences to reflect on real-world issues such as Asian parenting style, workplace stress, and society's narrow definitions of success, as well as impact of internet on daily life.

Debuting in Taiwan on Aug 7 and premiering in Hong Kong on Aug 15, the film has earned 7.6 points out of 10 on the popular review aggregator Douban. It will be released in Chinese mainland on Saturday.