| Chungking Express was made by Wong Kar-Wai in the middle of his effort to complete his epic swordplay film, ASHES OF TIME. Frustrated by the slow production, Wong quickly shot and edited this unique romantic drama as way to clear his head so he could finish ASHES. Chungking Express follows the lives of several people who happen to either work at or patronize a local fast food establishment: A depressed cop recently dumped by his stewardess girlfriend; A mysterious woman wearing a blonde wig, sun glasses, and a raincoat; and a free-spirited girl in search of an unknown love. Their stories mingle and intertwine, portrayed vividly in a Hong Kong that, while alive and almost with a pulse of its own, is somehow cold and unforgiving. In this story, there is no hero or bad guy. It is simply a story of finding love, happiness, and one's true self in an indifferent modern society. Filled with Wong Kar-Wai's trademark slo-mo effects, the film is a visual treat, filled with color and emotion. |
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