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The Haunted Hotel has two film versions.
First, it's worth revealing that Hotel Del Luna has two film versions, tailored to the differing tastes and cultures of Asian countries. This was the director's and producers' intention from the start of filming, as they realized that countries like Vietnam and China generally don't favor supernatural elements, and censorship would be more difficult if the film contained too many plot points related to religious sects and spiritual life. Meanwhile, Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong wanted to see more intense and novel horror elements.
Understanding this, director Ryon Lee prepared two different endings, adjusting the script so that both stories were equally compelling. This calculation proved highly effective, as Hotel Del Luna was approved for release in Vietnam with a C16 rating, instead of C18 like most other horror films.
The Haunted Hotel is also known as The Haunted Road 2.
Haunted Road is a 2014 Chinese horror film about a group of friends who repeatedly encounter trouble on a highway after witnessing a car accident. Initially, director Ryon Lee titled the film Haunted Road 2 because the characters' bad luck also begins on a deserted highway. Furthermore, this title might have garnered more attention in China, even though the two films have completely independent storylines. However, closer to the release date, the team decided to change the title to Haunted Hotel because the "star" of the story is the Amber Court building and its fateful room 1174.
However, the infamous "haunted" Karak Highway has also been featured in films. This winding road around the mountains is known for its numerous accidents and countless bizarre stories recounted by its returning "survivors."
The Amber Court Haunted Hotel is famous for the ghost of a headless woman.
The film was shot at Amber Court, one of Asia's most haunted locations, which still operates as a resort for tourists and some workers around Genting Highlands. The building is considered "haunted" due to numerous mysterious deaths, ranging from suicides to unsolved murders. One of the most famous rumors is that of a "headless female ghost" who screams around the hotel searching for her head… This image also appears in the film.
Contrary to popular belief, director Ryon Lee confidently asserted that this was a key element in promoting Malaysian tourism. Instead of focusing on scenic landmarks, Ryon Lee shared that evoking curiosity and a sense of dread would leave a stronger impression on viewers. He learned this from the Chinese horror film "House No. 81 in the Imperial City."
Aom Sushar – a smart choice for the lead female role.
Thai star Aom Sushar was chosen for the lead role in Hotel Del Luna because of her popularity in Asia. She's been dubbed the "Song Hye Kyo" of Thailand thanks to her roles in the TV dramas "Full House" and the Thai version of "Autumn in My Heart." But the film that truly brought Aom Sushar fame across Asia was "Yes or No," which revolves around a lesbian couple.
In fact, Aom Sushar is of Thai-Chinese descent and has a basic understanding of Chinese, making her suitable for a film with dialogue entirely in Chinese like Hotel Del Luna. However, the actress still faced many language barriers. Her character often had to express a lot of emotion, even "actions," during her dialogue.
Aom Sushar's stage name in China is Li Haina. Besides her artistic activities, she also owns a chain of fashion stores called "Sugar Concept" in China.
With Hotel Del Luna, the filmmaking team proved their skill by winning over audiences in many countries. This was due to its suitability and appeal to both cultural tastes and commercially viable horror elements.
HAUNTED HOTELIt is scheduled to be released in Vietnam from November 17, 2017.
