Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Andrew T. (A) on January 26, 2002 at 07:38:18

In Reply to: Re: Geez, Andrew... thanks... I guess... posted by Victor Khomenko on January 26, 2002 at 05:41:35:

Hello Victor,

I guess Audition wasn't the best place to start your wife off on that list of films :)! Truth be told,
it is probably a minor cult movie at best, with some pretty inspired spots. I also like
the film's sense of commitment....less common in most mainstream fare. Either way, sorry you
didn't think it the bees knees.

A few caveats about the films I mentioned: They constitute most of that director Wong Kar Wai's
oeuvre, with the exception of his first film, As Tears Go By. His second, Days Of Being Wild,
garnered tremendous critical praise, although HK audiences peppered the screen with fruit
in the theatre. The film's backer, certain of a hit, and who had promised his wife new diamonds prescreening,
had, according to the popular story, turned to her after the premier and said, " Forget it!"

Weird thing about him is that he considers himself a commercial filmmaker. I find him very filmic,
and although it is popularly bandied about that his films are more about mood, and less about plot,
I don't necessarily think so.

Of the films I'd mentioned, Chungking Express is probably his most accessible, Ashes of Time his
most obdurate and opaque ( I think probably for cultural, rather than filmic reasons: some critics at
a festival after screening found it was the most beautiful thing they'd seen, but admitted they didn't
have an inkling what it was about!). Both 'Chungking' and 'Fallen Angels' had been his most popular
with western audiences, until his most recent ' In The Mood'. The funny thing is that he's spent over
three years getting 'Ashes' together, going back and forth between mainland PRC and HK ( this was pre '97),
enduring a logistical hell, to put it together. During the downtime for post on 'Ashes', he wrote and shot
'Chungking' in just about three months. 'Ashes' was greeted with more fruit, but 'Chungking ' took off.

'Happy Together' was what won him the Palme d'Or at Cannes...take that as you will. I enjoyed it immensely,
but the subject matter may not suit everybody's personal taste. If you like Piazzolla , interesting film techniques
and scattered shots of the Iguazu falls, then this film is for you.

' In the Mood' is his most obviously venerated film, and while there are some truly wonderful moments,
I don't think it is necessarily his strongest work, relative to his other films, of course. It also won
'Best actor' at Cannes..apparently the first for an Asian male lead. I wonder what that means.

Oh yes, regarding your wife's request for something more European...WKW has been the darling of
Cahiers du Cinema since 'Chungking'..it may bode well for the project of reinstating Victor to the conjugal bed!

Hope you enjoy the other films!

Regards,
A.