Days of Being Wild - 1991

Despite being quite a fan of Asian cinema, I don't actually recall seeing any of Wong Kar-wai's films. The man is possibly one of the most popular directors hailing from China and Days of Being Wild is his first partnership with Australian born cinematographer Christopher Doyle.

Loosely described as "Rebel without a Cause", this film centres on "York" a play-boy character who meets Su; a store attendant who he tells he will never forget their meeting. She becomes infatuated with this man, and ultimately falls in love with him. Being unable to commit her, York turns her away. It deals with rejection and how people cope with losing people. Kinda. The strange relationship with his adopted mother, a former prostitute is also touched upon as possibly one of the reasons why York finds these women, and can never commit to any of them.

After his adopted mother tells him she is leaving to go to America, York decides to go travelling to the Philippines to meet his real mother. Unfortunately, things don't exactly work out and this "bird" meets his fate in a rather dramatic conclusion.

I was more interested in this film to see the early work of this much loved director... who has gone on to make some very well known movies.. the most popular would be "In the Mood for Love" (2000). I was also keen to see how the work of cinematographer Christopher Doyle has developed over the years. Doyle, who is responsible for films such as Hero, Paranoid Park, Rabbit-Proof Fence to name a few.

The film is very lush and technically very savvy... in large part thanks to the music and production design- placing me very firmly in the hot and sweaty Hong Kong in the 1960's. All the actors do a fine job, it was cool to see a rather young Andy Lau pop up as a policeman too.

If you're a fan of Eastern cinema and perhaps are a fan of Kar-wai or just like lush visuals and some Asian hotties, I'd send this flick your way. If you're after something with a bit more of a bite, I'd look elsewhere. Either way, there is something to enjoy in this Asian treat.