The production of "Ashes of Time" was time-consuming and left Wong exhausted; he subsequently directed "Chungking Express" (1994) with hopes of reconciling with filmmaking. The film, expressing a more lighthearted atmosphere, catapulted Wong to international prominence, and won Best Film and Best Director at the 1995 Hong Kong Film Awards. Wong consolidated his worldwide reputation with the 1997 drama "Happy Together", for which he won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.