Bruce Lee’s mentor Ip Man biopic to a Hollywood movie starring Norah Jones – why Wong Kar-wai’s 5 least-acclaimed movies are still worth watching
Admired the world over for arthouse classics Chunking Express, In The Mood For Love and LGBT drama Happy Together, even the least-celebrated films from Hong Kong’s best-known modern filmmaker – from a sci-fi romance to a Scorsese-style gangster flick – offer peerless artistry, insight and emotional depth
The breakout figure of the Hong Kong New Wave, director Wong Kar-wai’s distinctive take on universal themes have seen his films hailed as some of the globe’s most celebrated cinema of the past three decades. Using dreamlike worlds set against historical backdrops or amid gritty societal realities, he draws the audience sharply into his emotionally-charged narratives, unconventional characters and mesmerising shots.
While Chungking Express, Happy Together and In The Mood For Love are obvious showcases for the genius of Wong Kar-wai, we reckon these less appreciated films are well worth serious exploration, too – here’s why.
As Tears Go By (1988)
Wong Kar-Wai's first feature film As Tears Go By was a box office hit, and was screened at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. Released at a time when Hong Kong cinema was at its peak and gangster films were popular, Wong followed suit, genre-wise, but with an artful twist. As Tears Go By debuts many of what became Wong's directorial trademarks: star-crossed lovers in a neon-lit urban setting, a catchy song in the background, and themes of desire, frustration and violence.
Ashes of Time (1994)
Wong's first wuxia film (a genre of fictional martial arts movies set in ancient China) is one of his most complex. Essentially a kung fu movie, Ashes of Time isn’t laden with sword fights; instead, Wong takes three characters from the novel the film is based on, and follows their journey of loneliness and longing.
Ashes of Time was released in the same year as Chungking Express, and while the former won all the top awards – including four Hong Kong Film Awards – the latter remains a favourite subject of study by film critics.
My Blueberry Nights (2007)
Wong's first English-language film is a romantic drama that centres on a broken-hearted girl – played by none other than jazz-pop star Norah Jones –who travels from New York to Memphis to Nevada, where she meets similarly forlorn characters who help her find herself, and her way back to Manhattan.
In true Wong Kar-wai style, the road movie traverses colourful cities and dreamy suburbs. Although Wong’s least popular (but most mainstream) film, My Blueberry Nights is beautifully shot, and a deeply fascinating addition to the filmmaker’s oeuvre.