As Tears Go By
dir. Wong Kar-Wai · 1988
Being alive involves navigating complex relationships and the struggle between love and loyalty in a harsh world.
Feature
Organized Crime
Mood
Romantic / Melancholic
Look
lush, atmospheric cinematography with vibrant color palettes and expressive framing
Structure
nonlinear storytelling interspersed with character-driven vignettes
Plot
Mid-level gangster Wah falls in love with his beautiful cousin, but must also continue to protect his volatile partner-in-crime and friend, Fly.
Why watch
"As Tears Go By" weaves a poignant tale of love and loyalty against the backdrop of Hong Kong's gritty underbelly. With Wong Kar-Wai's signature aesthetic and a hauntingly beautiful narrative, the film captures the delicate interplay between familial bonds and the allure of forbidden romance.
Talking points
- the complexities of love in criminal worlds
- the impact of family on personal choices
- visual storytelling as emotional language
- the significance of place in shaping identity
Cultural context
Hong Kong's evolving identity in the late '80sthe interplay of familial loyalty and crimecultural nostalgia for lost lovethe emergence of Asian cinema on the global stage