HK Cinema - 1994
Even though none of his films have had much box
office appeal, Wong Kar-wai has certainly been the most influential HK
director in the 1990’s. His dazzling editing techniques, oblique
story lines, use of inner narrative and out of sequence time line were
a difficult buy for the HK audience, but struck a nerve with other film
makers who were looking for something new and exciting.
He began as a scriptwriter – Saviour of the Soul
being one – and directed his first film in 1988 – As Tears Go By.
This film starring Andy Lau, Jackie Cheung and Maggie Cheung told of the
inter-locking relationships and obligations in the world of the triads.
Three years later, he came out with his second film – Days of Being Wild
– a slowly unfolding story of unfulfilled love. Wong began to hone his
film techniques in this film, but it is three years later with two films
– Ashes of Time and Chungking Express - in which he is able to meld all
these film elements to produce two masterpieces.
Though the films could not be further apart in
tone and plot – one a sword fighting tale and the other a contemporary
tale of life in HK – they both are about unrequited love and the impossibility
of relationships.