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Wong Kar Wai retrospective

Zahir Raihan Film Society screens films of master Hong Kong filmmaker
23 November 2004, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Cultural Correspondent
23 November 2004, 18:00 PM
A scene from the film A Mood for Love
The cinema in Hong Kong is famously known for its so-called 'Martial Arts' genre. The films in this genre are characterised by their use of Martial Arts: Kung Fu, Judo, Boxing, Kick-Boxing and the likes. The great names in this genre include internationally renowned film directors like John Woo, Stanley Kwan and Tsui Hark. But Wong Kar Wai is an exception. Without indulging in this genre, he makes films that are serious in their intent, and more often, they deal with the sentimental and emotional aspects of their characters. His international fame rests largely on the latter. To name some of his international favourites, one must mentionDays of Being Wild(1991),Chungking Express(1994),Fallen Angels(1995),Happy Together(1997),In the Mood for Love(2000), and 2046 (2004), a futurist sequel toIn the Mood for Love.

In the Mood for Love has become a huge international hit largely because of its theme of unrequited love. Both the 'silent' lovers in the film are unable to express their feelings for each other. The isolation and longing of Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk) are transformed into a melange of intersecting paths and poignantly shared moments. The film gives its audience a melancholic experience that haunts them for a long time. The music is exquisitely lovely and touching. One can spend a long time listening to its sound track alone.

Born in 1958 in Shanghai, China, Wong Has studied graphic design from the Hong Kong Polytechnic School in 1980. Then he joined the television as a production assistant. He worked with director Patrick Tam and collaborated with him in his films. His first feature As Tears Go By was made in 1988. Wong belongs to the Second Wave of Hong Kong filmmakers who started making films in the mid-1980s and which includes Eddie Fong, Stanley Kwan and Clara Law.

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Zahir Raihan Film Society will screen four films made by Wong Kar Wai (Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express, Happy Together and In the Mood for Love) and two films made by Chinese filmmaker Chen Kaige (Temptress Moon and The Emperor and the Assassin) at the German Cultural Centre at Road No. 9, Dhanmondi on 24th and 25th November 2004. The screening will be at 3:00 pm.