Chungking Express
The beauty in symbolisms and intertextuality.
From the moment I started watching, I was instantly captivated. With a flexible script in hand and an extended schedule (requiring the hiring of two cinematographers to finish the film), Wong Kar Wai flawlessly directed every aspect. Every creative shot, angle, and cinematography style conveyed a story. Whether it was through step printing + undercranking effects or the manipulation of color grading throughout the film, each element told an emotional narrative.
WKW's obsession with colors served as a significant storyteller in this film. The psychology behind each color was meticulously controlled and utilized (in color grading, lighting, set production, costume, etc.) to convey deeper metaphoric meanings.
An instance, Faye's constant wearing of yellow symbolized her innate sense of curiosity as a person (even when breaking into a cop's house, lol). Another was during the slow-motion scene, which involved the use of undercranking to depict Tony Leung's state of being lost when she left him.
If memories could be canned, would they also have expiry dates? If so, I hope they last for centuries
We split up on April Fool's Day. So I decided to let the joke run for a month. Every day I buy a can of pineapple with a sell-by date of May 1. May loves pineapple, and May 1 is my birthday. If May hasn't changed her mind by the time I've bought thirty cans, then our love will also expire.
The constant use of metaphors and symbolism in the storyline and plot made a lasting impact on the viewers. Relating one object to a situation and delving deeper into interpretation. The complexity of the film, going beyond conventional means of storytelling, was an art in itself.