A Wong Kar Wai retrospective series will screen December 17-26
This holiday season, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) presents “(Joy to the) World of Wong Kar Wai,” a complete retrospective, which includes all 10 of the influential Hong Kong writer-director’s theatrical features, in addition to the previously unreleased extended cut of his 2004 short film “The Hand,” screening Dec. 17-26.
“Museum Films’ holiday series is one of our favorite annual traditions, and it’s wonderful to see it return to the Noble Theater,” said Lisa K. Broad, OKCMOA’s Head of Film Programming and Theatrical Operations. “Wong Kar Wai is one of the art house cinema’s most celebrated and influential filmmakers. While Wong’s work spans a variety of themes, genres and eras, his films are united by a warm, profoundly romantic sensibility and a lush visual style that makes them an ideal fit for the holiday season. And in fact, Wong’s science-fiction influenced romantic drama ‘2046’ takes place on Christmas Eve.”
“We’re proud to present a number of Wong Kar Wai’s films – including his iconic nineties breakthrough ‘Chungking Express’ and his romantic masterwork ‘In the Mood for Love’—in brand new 4K restorations supervised by the director,” Broad said. “We’re also excited to screen ‘Ashes of Time Redux,’ the definitive director’s cut of Wong’s visionary martial arts epic, on a vibrant 35mm print. This series is a rare opportunity to see each of these beautifully crafted films the way the filmmaker intended.”
Tickets are now on sale. Prices are $5 for OKCMOA Film Society Members, $6 for Museum Members, $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+), college students with IDs and teens ages 13 to 18 and $6 for children 12 and under. A limited number of “(Joy to the) World of Wong Kar Wai” all-access passes are available for purchase online and at the box office; prices are $25 for OKCMOA Film Society members, $30 for Museum members and $50 for non-members.
“(Joy to the) World of Wong Kar Wai” opens with director-supervised 4K restorations of Wong’s irresistibly charming two-part romance “Chunking Express” (1994) and its brooding, nocturnal counterpart “Fallen Angels” – originally conceived as a segment of “Chungking Express,” before being developed into a stylish standalone feature. The centerpiece of the series is an informal decade-spanning trilogy of wistful romantic reveries set in 1960s Hong Kong.
Newly restored in 4K, Wong’s 1960s Love trilogy includes his luminous 1990 breakthrough “Days of Being Wild,” his beautifully restrained romantic drama “In the Mood for Love,” and the swooning, futuristic Christmas tale “2046.” Expanding on these central themes of love and loss are bittersweet New Queer Cinema landmark “Happy Together” and Wong’s dreamy English language debut “My Blueberry Nights.”
Screening on successive Sundays, a trio of virtuosic action films show another side of Wong Kar Wai’s visually dazzling signature style. His debut feature “As Tears Go By” is a hyper-stylized gloss on the classic Hong Kong crime thriller, while “The Grandmaster” is a gloriously operatic reimagining of the life of Bruce Lee’s legendary teacher, Ip Man. Screening in its original 35mm format, “Ashes of Time Redux” is elevated by breathtaking cinematography from Wong’s frequent collaborator Christopher Doyle.
For more information on “(Joy to the) World of Wong Kar Wai” and more upcoming Museum Films events, visit: http://www.okcmoa.com/films/
Schedule
- Chungking Express (1994): Friday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. | Sunday, Dec. 26 at 12:30 p.m.
- Fallen Angels (1995): Friday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m.
- Days of Being Wild (1990): Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m.
- In the Mood for Love (2000): Saturday, Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. | Friday, Dec. 24 at 12:30 p.m.
- 2046 (2004): Saturday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m.
- Ashes of Time Redux (1994/2008): Sunday, Dec. 19 at 12:30 p.m.
- As Tears Go By (1988): Sunday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.
- The Hand + My Blueberry Nights (2004/2007): Thursday, Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m.
- Happy Together (1997): Thursday, Dec. 23 at 8:30 p.m.
- The Grandmaster (2013): Sunday, Dec. 26 at 3 p.m.
