Wong Kar-wai’s go-to man Christopher Doyle recalls Hong Kong's golden era of cinema

Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Doyle, who is known for his unique style of cinematography in films such as Wong Kar-wai’s Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love and 2046, is also an avid photographer.

He is staging an exhibition of his collage art, titled Why I Am Not A Painter, featuring 12 of his artworks created during his time away from film sets.

The Australian-born cinematographer, who has worked on Asian films since the 1980s, has also released two new books, Why I Am Not A Painter and Of The Film.

His many film awards include the “Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography” award – in tribute to his rich and influential career – which he received at the Cannes Film Festival, in France, in 2017.

STYLE talked to Doyle about his new books and exhibition, Wong, the stars he has worked with over the years and Hong Kong films.

You’ve worked with director Wong Kar-wai closely on many of his film. What was the most difficult moment working with him?

Every moment is difficult. When we were doing [things] and trying so hard, and it is – what's the word? – focused and intense. Again, it is a process.

It’s a very special process most people don't dare to engage with. And then after all that, after we've been working for a very long time, we've been trying this and this – and this, and we think we’ve got it and he would say to me, “Chris, is that all you can do?”.

That's a very important question because sometimes I’d say, “Yes, it is all I can do. I want to go home and we’ve done a good job.”