{{Short description|2010 Hong Kong film by Pang Ho-cheung}} {{about|the 2010 Hong Kong slasher film}} {{Distinguish|Dream House (2011 film)}} {{Use Hong Kong English|date=November 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Dream Home | image = Dream Home poster.jpg | caption = Film poster | native_name = {{Infobox Chinese/Chinese|child=yes|hide=no|header=none|t=維多利亞壹號 | s=维多利亚壹号}} | director = Pang Ho-cheung | writer = Pang Ho-cheung <br /> Derek Tsang <br /> Jimmy Wan | story = Pang Ho-cheung | producer = Conroy Chan <br /> Josie Ho <br /> Subi Liang <br /> Pang Ho-cheung | starring = Josie Ho <br /> Eason Chan | cinematography = Yu Lik-wai | editing = Wenders Li | music = Gabriele Roberto | studio = 852 Films <br /> Making Film | distributor = Edko Films | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2010|4|23|Udine|2010|5|13|Hong Kong}} | runtime = 96 minutes | country = Hong Kong | language = Cantonese<ref name = "fantasia"/> | gross = $378,650<ref name = "BOM">{{cite web|url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2364769281/weekend/|title = ''Dream Home''|publisher = Box Office Mojo|website = boxofficemojo.com|accessdate = 22 September 2010}}</ref> }}
'''''Dream Home''''' (維多利亞壹號 ''Wai dor lei ah yut ho'', literally ''Victoria No. 1'')<ref name = "variety"/><ref name = "fba-review"/> is a 2010 Hong Kong slasher film directed and co-written by Pang Ho-cheung.<ref name = "fba-review"/> The film is the story of Cheng Lai-sheung (Josie Ho) who saves up money to buy her dream home. After the sellers decide to turn her down, she goes into a murderous frenzy.
''Dream Home'' was originally meant to be released in October 2009 in Hong Kong but due to legal disputes between 852 Films and the director the film premiered in Italy on 23 April 2010 and in Hong Kong on 13 May. The film received mixed reviews which focused on whether or not the satirical and horrific scenes worked well together.
== Plot ==
In Hong Kong, Cheng Lai-sheung (Josie Ho) works two jobs with the hope of earning enough money to buy her own apartment with a view of the Victoria Harbour.<ref name = "variety">{{cite web|url = https://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/dream-home-1117942962/|title = ''Dream Home''|last = van Hoeij|first = Boyd|publisher = Variety|date = 14 June 2010|website = variety.com|accessdate = 22 September 2010}}</ref><ref name = "fba-review"/> In mixed chronological order, we see scenes from Lai-sheung's past. In her childhood, her family and friends are evicted from their low-rent housing so that developers can build expensive flats. Later in life, she vows to buy her mother and father a new apartment, but is unable to fulfill her promise before her mother dies. When her father becomes ill with mesothelioma, she begins searching in earnest for a new place. She has an obsession for the ''Victoria Bay No. 1'' high-rise address, originating in a childhood vow that she would one day buy a flat near the harbor. The vow was aimed at preventing her grandfather from having to walk there and back on a daily basis.
The bank will only give her a 70% mortgage and payments would reach over $15,000. Unfortunately, because of an oversight in declaring her father's medical history, she no longer has insurance to pay for his expensive treatment and has to take a second job. After Lai-sheung does save enough for a down-payment, her father's medical bills become excessive. When she asks her married lover for a loan to cover these, he refuses.
One night her father has trouble breathing. Instead of giving him his oxygen, Lai-sheung allows him to die. The insurance payment now adds enough money to her current savings to purchase her dream flat. On her way to finalize the purchase, there is a hike in the stock market that makes the owners decide to raise the price. This sends Lai-sheung into a frenzy, where she goes to the flats and attacks people who live and work there. She kills them with low-tech, household items. During the course of the final killings, the police arrive at the flat, demanding entry. A struggle ensues during which both officers are killed.
Returning to her day job, Lai-sheung receives a call from her agent saying that the owners of the flat she wishes to buy are willing to sell after all. Lai-sheung suggests that they might want to sell for a lower price, since there were eleven murders in the building the previous evening. That night, Lai-sheung's lover comes around to pick her up, but she turns her back on him and walks away, having decided to end their relationship. The film concludes with Lai-sheung staring out at the harbor as newscasts discuss how America's worsening subprime mortgage crisis is beginning to have global repercussions.
== Cast ==
{{Cast listing| * Josie Ho as Cheng Lai-sheung * Eason Chan as Siu Tu * Michelle Ye as Flat 8A Female Owner * Jo Kuk as Flat 8A Female Owner's Friend * Cheng Hao Sum as Jimmy * Nina Paw as Sheung's Mother * Lo Hoi-pang as Sheung's Grandpa * Norman Chui as Sheung's Father * Wong Ching as Security Guard * Pal Sinn as Flat 8A Male Owner * Lam Yiu-sing as Sheung's Brother * Derek Tsang as Cheung Jai * Lawrence Chou as On Jai * Song Xiao Cheng as Woman A * Zhou Chuchu as Woman B * Phat Chan as Blondie * Felix Lok as Cop Man * Juno Mak as Cop Fat }}
== Production ==
''Dream Home'' was the first feature production from Josie Ho's film financing and production studio 852 Films.<ref name = "hr-nightmare">{{cite web|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dream-home-becomes-nightmare-88265|title = ''Dream Home'' becomes nightmare|last = Chu|first = Karen|publisher = The Hollywood Reporter|date = 31 August 2009|website = hollywoodreporter.com|accessdate = 15 October 2012}}</ref><ref name = "madhouse">{{cite web|url = http://www.dreamhome.asia/images/dhnews-scmp-directorscut.jpg|title = It's a Madhouse|last = Wing-sze|first = Lee|publisher = Internet Archive|website = dreamhome.asia|accessdate = 23 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180559/http://www.dreamhome.asia/images/dhnews-scmp-directorscut.jpg|archivedate = 3 March 2016}}</ref> Josie did research and found that horror films were the best selling genre for films, which led to the idea of producing one. She was also influenced by the Hong Kong action film ''Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky''. She proclaimed that she had "never seen such an outrageous film from Hong Kong before" and thought that "if that could be done, why can't we do the same?"<ref name = "timeout">{{cite web|url = http://www.timeout.com.hk/film/features/33930/josie-the-killer.html|title = Josie the Killer|publisher = Internet Archive|website = timeout.com.hk|accessdate = 22 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141107042918/http://www.timeout.com.hk/film/features/33930/josie-the-killer.html|archivedate = 7 November 2014}}</ref>
Director and writer Pang Ho-cheung worked on the script in 2007.<ref name = "madhouse"/> Pang stated that he wanted to write a film about the average Hong Kong citizen facing the local inflated property market.<ref name = "hr-opens"/> Pang searched Hong Kong to make sure that no property name matched the one in his film, stating that "otherwise, we'd be in real trouble."<ref name = "madhouse"/> He chose to make the story a slasher film, saying that he had always loved Hollywood B movies.<ref name = "hr-opens"/> The film was set to start filming 27 March 2009 in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay area.<ref name = "hr-opens">{{cite web|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/852-opens-dream-home-81086|title = 852 opens with ''Dream Home''|last = Landreth|first = Jonathan|publisher = The Hollywood Reporter|date = 22 March 2019|website = hollywoodreporter.com|accessdate = 15 October 2012}}</ref> Pang believed that music and lighting were important in slasher films and hired Wong Kar-wai's regular light man Wong Chi-ming and Italian composer Gabriele Roberto.<ref name = "hr-opens"/> Roberto had previously worked with Pang on his film ''Exodus''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.fareastfilm.com/easyne2/LYT.aspx?Code=FEFJ&IDLYT=13308&ST=SQL&SQL=ID_Documento=2429|title = World Premiere of ''Dream Home''|last1 = Pellizzari|first1 = Gianmatteo|last2 = Morana|first2 = Manuela|publisher = Internet Archive|website = fareastfilm.com|accessdate = 23 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160821074956/http://www.fareastfilm.com/easyne2/LYT.aspx?Code=FEFJ&IDLYT=13308&ST=SQL&SQL=ID_Documento=2429|archivedate = 21 August 2016}}</ref> The film includes documentary footage of protesters against the demolition of Queen's Pier in 2007.<ref name = "madhouse"/>
''Dream Home'' finished filming around May 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.dreamhome.asia/images/dhnews-scmp.jpg|title = Ho tries a new shock tactic|last = Mak|first = Clara|publisher = South China Morning Post|date = 16 May 2009|website = dreamhome.asia|accessdate = 23 September 2010|archive-date = 6 July 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110706085239/http://www.dreamhome.asia/images/dhnews-scmp.jpg|url-status = dead}}</ref> It was originally set to be released in October 2009 in Hong Kong.<ref name = "hr-nightmare"/> The film was delayed due to legal disputes between the company and director Pang Ho-cheung. Despite the dispute, Pang continued to work on post-production on the film stating that he had not "received any message telling me to stop working on it."<ref name = "hr-nightmare"/> Josie Ho stated that she pushed Pang to make the film more violent and outrageous, while Pang wanted the film to be "more violent in a realistic manner."<ref name = "timeout"/> ''Dream Home'''s worldwide rights were bought by Fortissimo Films.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.screendaily.com/fortissimo-films-checks-into-pangs-dream-home/5000855.article|title = Fortissimo Films checks into Pang's ''Dream Home''|last = Shackleton|first = Liz|publisher = Screen Daily|date = 7 May 2009|website = screendaily.com|accessdate = 23 September 2010}}</ref>
== Release ==
''Dream Home'' had its world premiere at the Far East Film Festival on 23 April 2010 in Udine, Italy.<ref name = "fba-review">{{cite web|url = http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/dream-home|title = ''Dream Home'' 維多利亞壹號|last = Elley|first = Derek|publisher = Internet Archive|website = filmbiz.asia|accessdate = 22 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165559/http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/dream-home|archivedate = 3 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/udine-is-home-to-pangs-dream|title = Udine is home to Pang's Dream|last = Frater|first = Patrick|publisher = Internet Archive|website = filmbiz.asia|accessdate = 16 March 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183551/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/udine-is-home-to-pangs-dream|archivedate = 3 March 2016}}</ref> Two audience members vomited and one fainted during the Udine premiere.<ref name = "hwr-review">{{cite web|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/dream-home-film-review-29548|title = ''Dream Home'' — Film Review|last = Lee|first = Maggie|publisher = The Hollywood Reporter|date = 14 October 2010|website = hollywoodreporter.com|accessdate = 21 October 2010}}</ref> The North American premiere was at the Tribeca Festival in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/archive/512d09941c7d76e046002ba7-dream-home|title = ''Dream Home''|last = Cusumano|first = Cara|publisher = Tribeca Festival|date = 22 September 2010|website = tribecafilm.com|accessdate = 22 September 2010}}</ref> On 25 July 2010, the film had its Canadian premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival where the film won the Bronze audience award for "Best Asian Film."<ref name = "fantasia">{{cite web|url = http://www.fantasiafestival.com/2010/en/films/film_detail.php?id=285|title = ''Dream Home''|last = Brown|first = Todd|publisher = Internet Archive|website = fantasiafestival.com|accessdate = 22 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161024023630/http://www.fantasiafestival.com/2010/en/films/film_detail.php?id=285|archivedate = 24 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/asian-films-dominate-fantasia-awards|title = Asian films dominate Fantasia awards|last = Frater|first = Patrick|publisher = Internet Archive|website = filmbiz.asia|accessdate = 2 August 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012757/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/asian-films-dominate-fantasia-awards|archivedate = 24 September 2015}}</ref> The film premiered in the United Kingdom on 28 August 2010 at the London FrightFest Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/dream-home-takes-up-dual-residence-in-uk|title = ''Dream Home'' takes up dual residence in UK|last = Frater|first = Patrick|publisher = Internet Archive|website = filmbiz.asia|accessdate = 24 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165810/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/dream-home-takes-up-dual-residence-in-uk|archivedate = 3 March 2016}}</ref>
The film was released in Hong Kong on 13 May 2010.<ref name = "fba-review"/> The film debuted at fourth place at Hong Kong box office earning $171,351 on its first week.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/by-year/2010/?area=HK|title = Hong Kong Box Office Weekends For 2010|publisher = Box Office Mojo|website = boxofficemojo.com|accessdate = 22 September 2010}}</ref> The film ran for six weeks in Hong Kong grossing $378,650 in total.<ref name = "BOM"/> ''Variety'' suggested that the mid-May opening date was "overshadowed by the socko B.O. of ''Ip Man 2''."<ref name = "variety"/> ''Dream Home'' was shown at the Sitges Film Festival where it won awards for Best Make Up FX (Vitaya Deerattakul and Andrew Lin) and Best Actress (Josie Ho).<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/asian-films-score-at-sitges|title = Asian films score at Sitges|last = Frater|first = Patrick|publisher = Internet Archive|website = filmbiz.asia|accessdate = 18 October 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160413221525/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/asian-films-score-at-sitges|archivedate = 13 April 2016}}</ref> ''Dream Home'' was released theatrically and on video-on-demand in North America by the Independent Film Channel in early 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/dream-home-finds-us-niche|title = ''Dream Home'' finds US niche|last = Frater|first = Patrick|publisher = Internet Archive|website = filmbiz.asia|accessdate = 28 October 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013012/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/dream-home-finds-us-niche|archivedate = 24 September 2015}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, Network scheduled the film for a Region 2 PAL DVD release on 28 March 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info.php?products_id=1323|title = ''Dream Home''|website = Network DVD|accessdate = 16 February 2011|url-status = usurped|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121015133852/http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info.php?products_id=1323|archivedate = 15 October 2012}}</ref>
== Reception ==
The film received mixed reviews after its festival showings. ''Variety'' praised the film, describing it as a "deliciously dark take on the dog-eat-dog Hong Kong housing market... another slickly produced, femme-driven item from local multihyphenate Pang (aka Edmond Pang), with its intricate editing and dash of capitalist critique adding some gloss and a hint of topicality to the blood-soaked proceedings."<ref name = "variety"/> After its showing at the Tribeca Film Festival, Salon.com declared it as one of the best films of the whole festival.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/film_salon/2010/05/04/tff_dream_home|title = Best of Tribeca: Killing for a ''Dream Home''|last = O'Hehir|first = Andrew|work = Salon.com|date = 4 May 2010|accessdate = 22 September 2010}}</ref> The ''Montreal Gazette'' wrote that the film was "really well done but also really gory."<ref>{{cite web|url = http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/thecinefiles/archive/2010/07/25/fantasia-2010-review-of-dream-home.aspx|title = Fantasia 2010: Review of ''Dream Home''|last = Ferguson|first = Liz|publisher = Internet Archive|website = communities.canada.com|accessdate = 23 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100808060014/http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/thecinefiles/archive/2010/07/25/fantasia-2010-review-of-dream-home.aspx|archivedate = 8 August 2010}}</ref> ''Screen Daily'' gave the film a positive review, stating that "with its clever packaging and slasher credentials, the film will be grossing out viewers on the festival circuit and home video markets for some time to come" and that "Josie Ho in the lead role is focused but a bit wooden... Nonetheless Pang's direction is tight and cinematography by Yu Lik-wai is unobtrusively effective."<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.screendaily.com/dream-home/5013343.article|title = ''Dream Home''|last = Paquet|first = Darcy|publisher = Screen Daily|date = 2 May 2010|website = screendaily.com|accessdate = 23 September 2010}}</ref> In New Zealand, 3 News gave the film five stars, calling it "a classy, clever film with an interesting story that is a darkly comic take on Hong Kong’s ever increasing property prices."<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.3news.co.nz/entertainment/dream-home-review-2010081315|title = ''Dream Home'' review|last = Rutledge|first = Daniel|publisher = Internet Archive|website = 3news.co.nz|accessdate = 24 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141107052314/http://www.3news.co.nz/entertainment/dream-home-review-2010081315|archivedate = 7 November 2014}}</ref>
Film Business Asia gave the film a six out of ten rating, writing that the film "starts with a brilliant idea and has some great moments along the way but, as so often, doesn't quite manage to make all the bits cohere as the audience expects."<ref name = "fba-review"/> ''The Hollywood Reporter'' gave the film a negative review, finding that the social observation of the film is lost to the "increasingly unrealistic and grotesque splatter material."<ref name = "hwr-review"/> ''Time Out Group'' gave the film a three out of six rating, opining that it is "rendered with tremendous style but with little narrative intrigue, it's a shame that the macabre humour gracing ''Dream Home's'' (literally) eye-popping extreme violence doesn’t extend to its portrayal of Cheng’s hardship."<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.timeout.com.hk/film/features/34212/dream-home.html|title = ''Dream Home''|last = Lee|first = Edmund|publisher = Internet Archive|website = timeout.com.hk|accessdate = 23 September 2010|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141107043558/http://www.timeout.com.hk/film/features/34212/dream-home.html|archivedate = 7 November 2014}}</ref> Kim Newman in ''Empire'' gave the film three stars out of five stating that "there's an undeniable sense of liberation in the killing frenzy, though some scenes (the asphyxiation of a pregnant woman using a vacuum cleaner attachment) will cross a line for many."<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/dream-home-review/|title = ''Dream Home'' Review|last = Newman|first = Kim|publisher = Empire|date = 1 November 2010|website = empireonline.com|accessdate = 29 December 2010}}</ref> On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 74%, based on {{nowrap|19 reviews}}, with a weighted average rating of 6.3/10.<ref name = "rottentomatoes">{{cite web|url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dream_home_2010|title = ''Dream Home''|publisher = Rotten Tomatoes|website = rottentomatoes.com|accessdate = 14 April 2017}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
== External links ==
* {{official website|http://www.dreamhome.asia/}} * {{IMDb title|1407972}} * {{rotten-tomatoes|dream_home-2010}}
{{Pang Ho-Cheung}}
Category:2010 films Category:2010 horror films Category:2010 Cantonese-language films Category:2010 Hong Kong films Category:2010s pregnancy films Category:2010s satirical films Category:2010s slasher films Category:Films about adultery Category:Films about cancer Category:Films about mass murder Category:Films about real estate holdout Category:Films directed by Pang Ho-cheung Category:Films produced by Josie Ho Category:Films set in 1991 Category:Films set in 1997 Category:Films set in 1999 Category:Films set in 2004 Category:Films set in 2007 Category:Films set in apartment buildings Category:Films set in Hong Kong Category:Films set in motels Category:Films set in offices Category:Films set in the Great Recession Category:Films shot in Hong Kong Category:Focus Features films Category:Films about home invasion Category:Hong Kong horror films Category:Hong Kong nonlinear narrative films Category:Hong Kong pregnancy films Category:Hong Kong slasher films Category:Hong Kong splatter films Category:Films about patricide Category:Historical horror films Category:Works about gentrification