【Movie Night】 Chungking Express 重庆森林 (Free Entry)

This event is co-hosted with the Auckland International Film club. Follow the film club on Facebook and Instagram to be part the growing community!

Rating: M – Suitable for mature audiences; contains violence.

This March, join us for two special screenings—Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love—as we dive into the vibrant world of Wong Kar-wai, where romance and melancholy intertwine with striking visuals and evocative storytelling.

Wong Kar-wai, the internationally celebrated auteur of Hong Kong cinema, crafts films that pulse with longing and fragmented beauty. His signature style—swirling colors, hypnotic rhythms, and emotionally charged silences—transforms everyday heartache into timeless art. From the chaotic energy of crowded streets to the aching intimacy of unspoken desires, Wong’s work is a symphony of missed connections and melancholic grace.

Part One: Chungking Express
Chungking Express showcases Wong Kar-wai’s signature take on urban romance and fast-paced editing. Set against the neon-lit nights of Hong Kong, the film interweaves two loosely connected love stories: one about a heartbroken cop who crosses paths with a mysterious woman, and another about a quirky convenience store clerk who quietly “adjusts” the life of her crush.

Though brimming with playful humor and chance encounters, the film also reflects deeper desires for love and belonging in a frenetic modern city. Its vibrant colors, catchy soundtrack, and hand-held cinematography merge nostalgia, excitement, solitude, and hope into a unique and soulful cinematic adventure.

After the screening, we invite you to join a conversation exploring the film’s pacing, visual language, and Wong Kar-wai’s portrayal of contemporary urban relationships. Whether you’re a devoted fan of Wong Kar-wai or discovering his work for the first time, this discussion offers a fantastic opportunity to delve deeper into the allure of Chungking Express and unearth the emotional heartbeat of city life.

Location: Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000
Date and Time: Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 6:30 PM
Fee: Free entry!

Note: We’re hosting the event on the second floor of the Ellen Melville Center. Please use the entrance on the right side of the building on the ground floor. Once you go up to the second floor, you’ll see our venue right there.

Please try to arrive on time, and if you have any trouble getting in, feel free to send me a text message at 0274306328 – Rick.