Wong Kar-Wai
Wong Kar-Wai
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Wong Kar-wai is a renowned Hong Kong film director, producer, screenwriter, and cinematographer. He is often referred to as "The Master of Mood" due to his distinctive filmmaking style.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on July 17, 1958, in Shanghai, China, Wong Kar-wai is still active in the film industry today.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Wong Kar-wai holds both Chinese and Hong Kong citizenship. He is a multifaceted artist who has worked as a director, producer, screenwriter, and cinematographer throughout his illustrious career.
Early Life and Background
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Wong Kar-wai's family moved to Hong Kong when he was five years old. Growing up in the city's vibrant streets, Wong was exposed to a diverse range of cultures and artistic influences that would later shape his unique filmmaking style. He began working as an assistant director at the age of 20, eventually making his feature film debut with "As Tears Go By" (1988).
Major Accomplishments
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Throughout his career, Wong Kar-wai has received numerous accolades and nominations for his work. Some of his most notable achievements include:
Winning the Best Director award at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival for "In the Mood for Love"
Being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "2046" (2004)
Having two films, "Chungking Express" (1994) and "In the Mood for Love," selected as part of the Criterion CollectionNotable Works or Actions
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Wong Kar-wai's filmography is a testament to his innovative approach to storytelling. Some of his most notable works include:
"Chungking Express" (1994): A romantic comedy that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption in the bustling streets of Hong Kong.
"Fallen Angels" (1995): A crime drama that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
"In the Mood for Love" (2000): A poignant love story set against the backdrop of 1960s Hong Kong, exploring themes of longing, desire, and the power of human connection.
Impact and Legacy
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Wong Kar-wai's influence on contemporary cinema is undeniable. His unique visual style, which blends vibrant colors with a sense of melancholy, has inspired countless filmmakers around the world. He continues to push boundaries in his work, experimenting with innovative storytelling techniques and exploring complex themes that resonate deeply with audiences.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Wong Kar-wai's quotes are often cited for their insight into the human experience and their thought-provoking commentary on love, loss, and relationships. His ability to capture the essence of the human condition through his work has made him a beloved figure in the film industry, and his quotes continue to inspire and educate audiences around the world.
Quotes by Wong Kar-Wai
At film festivals, I put on my sunglasses and go to sleep because I don't want to see my films again.
The reason it takes me so long to make a film, the reason it gets so difficult, is that I'm trying to think of every film as the last one I will ever make so it can be the best it can possibly be. I don't want to have regrets or excuses or think, 'I can do better next time.'
In our case, we have no script. So the only people we can work with are people who have been working with us in the past, and they know we are going to do something; it's kind of a trust.
Because we don't have a lot of light, because we have a very low budget, we have to adjust the speed of our camera to get the effect that we want. So sometimes this is the way we work, and the result of the filming becomes a kind of a style.
It used to be when you eat, you eat with people. But instant noodles are so instant that people eat by themselves. And it's a very convenient way of eating but also a very lonely way of eating.
To make films, it always begins with two words: what and how. First of all, you have to find a story, or what are you going to tell? And you have to find a way to tell it visually.
Americans always see China through the looking glass, and I think it's about time - with technology and of the growing economic relationship between these two countries - I think it's natural and better for all of us to have a better understanding of each other.
The industry and support in China has really matured because there are so many productions there. At the same time, there's been a lot of changes in the market, which I think also has enabled productions like 'The Grandmaster' to happen and to be possible to shoot in China.
After the Revolution in '49, all the films were propaganda. They serviced the government and carried the message that the government wants to relay to the people. But I think, in the last 10 years, because the film market is opening and there's an expansion of all the cinemas in China, it's now a lot like Hollywood productions.