WITH his spot-on contemporary attitude and his philosophical bent, Wong Kar-wai has been seen as Hong Kong's Quentin Tarantino and Jean-Luc Godard rolled into one.
Fallen Angels, which opens this week, is the director's best film yet. Stylistically, it bears a passing resemblance to the first segment of last year's Chungking Express - perhaps not surprisingly as it began life as part of that movie. Both films have a dynamic visual approach: they use quick cuts, hand-held camera work, and cinematic effects like slow motion. And both films centre around Tsim Sha Tsui, where Wong grew up.
'I actually intended to make three segments for Chungking Express,' says a sprightly-looking Wong, fresh from a preview of his new work.
'The hit-man element of Fallen Angels was actually meant to be a part of that film, but after I'd finished the first two parts, I decided that another would make it too long.
'It's by no means a sequel to Chungking but I chose to make it in the same spirit and use the same energetic approach.' Fallen Angels is indeed energetic, something that's intensified by some vibrant performances from Wong's cast.
The story revolves around a hit man played by Canto-pop king Leon Lai Ming. Lai is a disillusioned killer, who wants to give up the life of the gun and forge a relationship with his partner, Michelle Reis. Reis is his agent, mapping out the crimes before he blasts away the targets. But Lai does not want to start a relationship with her as he feels it is dangerous - or wrong - to become involved with a colleague.