Speaker: Dr. Raymond Tsang (Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at USC Dornsife)

If you’re fascinated by Wong Kar-Wai (1958–) and his iconic film In the Mood for Love (1999), don’t miss this insightful discussion on his work and artistic vision.

With the recent 4K restoration of In the Mood for Love—featuring an additional nine minutes and released on Valentine’s Day—now is the perfect time to revisit this timeless masterpiece. How do we make sense of its disjoined time and space? What is the significance of Su Li-zhen’s elegant qipao (Mandarin gown)? How do Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen, both victims of adultery, navigate their relationship as secret lovers? And what does the mysterious hole in Cambodia’s ancient Angkor Wat temple symbolize?

Beyond exploring the film’s formal aesthetics, this talk will also highlight key figures who shaped Wong’s career, including actor-producer Alan Tang Kwong-Wing, who funded Days of Being Wild and worked with Wong as a scriptwriter; renowned art designer Cheung Shu-ping; and visionary cinematographer Christopher Doyle.

Join us for a deep dive into one of cinema’s most visually and emotionally evocative films!

This event is co-sponsored by the East Asian Library, East Asian Studies Center, and the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.