The sensuous cinema of Wong Kar-Wai
Subtitle: film poetics and the aesthetic of disturbance
By: Gary Bettinson
Publisher: Hong Kong University Press
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Hong Kong
Language: eng
Number of pages: 156
ISBN-13: 9789888139293
Copyright date: 2015
Subjects: Motion pictures; Aesthetics; Criticism and interpretation
Description: The widely acclaimed films of Wong Kar-wai are characterized by their sumptuous yet complex visual and sonic style. This study of Wong's filmmaking techniques uses a poetics approach to examine how form, music, narration, characterization, genre and other artistic elements work together to produce certain effects on audiences. Bettinson argues that Wong's films are permeated by an aesthetic of sensuousness and "disturbance" achieved through techniques such as narrative interruptions, facial masking, opaque cuts, and other complex strategies. The effect is to jolt the viewer out of complete aesthetic absorption. Each of the chapters focuses on a single aspect of Wong's filmmaking. The book also discusses Wong's influence on other filmmakers in Hong Kong and around the world. The Sensuous Cinema of Wong Kar-wai will appeal to all who are interested in authorship and aesthetics in film studies, to scholars in Asian studies, media and cultural studies, and to anyone with an interest in Hong Kong cinema in general, and Wong's films in particular.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 141-149) and index.
Table of contents: title: Acknowledgments; title: Wong Kar-wai and the poetics of Hong Kong cinema; title: Romantic overtures : music in Chungking express; title: Partial views : visual style and the aesthetic of disturbance; title: Parallel lives : poetics of the postproduction plot; title: Frustrating formulas : popular genre and In the mood for love; title: Appropriations, reflections, and future directions.