Following the success of his TV series 繁花/Shanghai blossoms early 2024, Wong Kar-Wai’s movie “In the mood for love” or “花樣年華” as been re-released in China this February. 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the movie, that is shown in restored director’s cut. This is a great opportunity for many young Chinese people to view this great movie.
The 2000 Cannes Festival Palme d’Or has not lost any of its beauty. The light and pictures are still incredibly beautiful. The tender play of actress Maggie Cheung (also staring in the movie about Ruan Lingyu “Center stage”) and actor Tony Leung is still touching the spectator.
Great lights and qipao
Set in Hong Kong in the 1960s, In the mood for love tells the story of an impossible love between both characters. Although filmed in Cantonese, the movies also includes Shanghai speaking sub characters, showing the extend of the Shanghai diaspora in Hong Kong at that time, in which director Wong Kar-Wai grew up. The movie is also famous for the 20 something qipao / 旗袍 also called Cheongsam / 长衫 in HongKong worn by Maggie Cheung. They were all made by an Old Shanghai master, underlining the link between the movie and Shanghai.
Last but not least, the amazing music from Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi stays with the viewer long after the end of the movie. In the mood for love is one of my favorite movie and does not seem to age even if I did not understand dialogs in Cantonese (subtitles are only in Chinese for this release in China).
After 3 years in the making, the first TV series of Wong Kar-wai (王家卫) has finally been released in the first days of January 2024. 繁花 (Shanghai blossoms) in English has taken like a storm. The TV series was broadcasted every night for 15 days, with 2 episodes / night. It was simultaneously available on online platforms. Every body has watched “繁花“，and everybody has watched it and everybody is talking about it. Focused on 1990s Shanghai, it is a little far away from this blogs topic, but definitely worth a post.
Shanghai born Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai 王家卫 is mostly known outside of China for the 2000 movie “In the mood for love” 花樣年華 that was nominated for Palm d’Or at Cannes festival 2000 and for which main actor, Tony Leung, won best actor. The move is also famous for its unforgettable soundtrack. Set in Shanghai in the 1990s, this new TV series offers quite similar dark atmosphere and visuals with many night scenes and and great music.
Recreating the 90s
Taking place in Shanghai, it was filmed in Shanghainese dialect (shown with Chinese subtitle). Casting required most actors to be able to speak Shanghainese, who later dubbed a version in Mandarin that will be easier to understand by the rest of China. In a similar way to 2020 movie “B for busy” 爱情神话 (follow this link to original post about the movie), it particularly resonates with Shanghainese people. Shanghainese language has been on the decline in the last 30 years, so seeing major movie in Shanghainese language is an attraction. For more information about it, best is to read the article on English language magazine sixth tone by following this link https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1014442
A lot of energy was spent in collecting iconic objects for the 90s, including cars (mostly Volkswagen Santana), portable phone, cloths and other items, recreating a realistic Shanghai 90s picture. The story is based on a book of same name, inspired by real events from the 90s. The series really encapsulates the energy and craziness of 90s Shanghai, in a time that is not so crazy anymore. This reminds me a lot of about craziness and energy about Central Europe in the 90s, having lived both in Shanghai and Budapest in the 90s, I could see a lot of similarities. I am sure the series will be shown on tv outside of China. Watch for “Blossom Shanghai” when it comes.
Some of Shanghai blossoms main characters
Although the series was filmed in a purpose built decor in Shanghai film studio, where I went for a visit a number of years ago (see post “Shanghai cinema studio“), the story takes place in real Shanghai locations. Huang He lu, 黄河路 a former hyped street behind Park Hotel that had become totally sleepy after the 90s has become crowded with young people taking selfies.
黄河路 Huang He lu is suddenly the place to be
The English room of Peace Hotel (former Cathay Hotel) where part of the action also takes place is now booked for months in advance by people willing to recreate the experience of being there. Many restaurants now serve special “繁花” with food inspired by the series. Hopefully the hype will create interest in Shanghai history and help Shanghai preservation.
