World of Wong Kar Wai at HOME
Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
One of the defining figures of Hong Kong cool, filmmaker Wong Kar Wai gets the retrospective treatment at HOME this summer in association with Janus Films. Often working with cinematographer Christopher Doyle, the director is known for his sumptuous visuals, pop soundtracks and swooning romanticism, Wong’s films run the gamut from period love stories and sweeping wuxia, to broody crime dramas and futuristic science fiction.
The retrospective features eight brand new 4K restorations, five of which have been overseen by the director himself. Titles include the offbeat pop-comic love story Chungking Express (1994, Sun 25 July), Wong’s impressive debut, triad crime drama As Tears Go By (1988, Fri 23 July) and the exquisite 1960s-set masterpiece In the Mood For Love (2000, Sat 31 July), starring Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung.
If you’re not yet familiar with these movies then now is the perfect time to indulge in Wong’s wistfully wrought neon cityscapes and heightened sensations. Longtime fans, meanwhile, will want to check in to see what the director has done with these remastered and reworked versions of his enduring back catalogue, plus, as an added bonus, there will be a short one-minute recorded introduction from director showing before the films screening in this season.
