When I was in college, I had to take a general elective class, and by chance, I ended up in Introduction to Contemporary East Asian Cinema and Culture. It focused on East Asian films and the region's most significant directors. What started as an elective class quickly became one of my favorites at USC. Viewing culture through the lens of film provided me with a completely different perspective on East Asian culture and life. I watched some incredibly powerful movies and fell in love with Wong Kar-wai's style in particular, especially after watching “In the Mood for Love”. In this blog post, I want to talk about Wong Kar-wai and his most noteworthy films.
Wong Kar-wai was born in Shanghai in 1958 and started as a screenwriter before becoming a director in the 1980s. He gained international recognition with his 1990 film "Days of Being Wild," which cemented his signature style.
What sets Wong Kar-wai apart from others is his use of color and light to create mood and atmosphere. His films include innovative slow-motion shots, handheld cameras, and nonlinear storytelling. He's a poet at heart, and his films explore themes of love, loss, and memory with a melancholic tone.
Let's dive into some of his most noteworthy films!
First up is "Chungking Express" (1994), a two-for-one love story set in the streets of Hong Kong, packed with stylish visuals and unconventional storytelling. If you're new to Wong Kar-wai, this is a great starting point.
Then there's "In the Mood for Love" (2000), which many consider to be his masterpiece. It's a visually stunning exploration of love and longing in 1960s Hong Kong, featuring breathtaking cinematography and incredible performances.
If you're looking for something that tugs at your emotions, check out "Happy Together" (1997), an emotional and visually stunning exploration of a relationship between two men from Hong Kong who move to Argentina.
For something more daring, there's "2046" (2004), a visually stunning and intellectually ambitious exploration of time, memory, and desire. It's set in the year 2046 and follows a writer struggling to come to terms with his past.
Finally, there's "Fallen Angels" (1995), a visually striking exploration of love and loneliness set in the gritty streets of Hong Kong. It's packed with bold colors, handheld cameras, and frenetic editing.
If you're a fan of visually stunning and emotionally powerful cinema, Wong Kar-wai is a director you should definitely check out. His innovative use of color, light, and storytelling continues to inspire filmmakers worldwide. He portrayed Hong Kong in a way that I had never seen before. When you have the chance, sit down and enjoy one of his films - I promise you won't be disappointed.