Wilson Kwong

🇨🇦Writer/Film Enthusiast | 🍅 Tomatometer-Approved Critic | Founder/Editor | Contributor @vcinemashow @FilmInquiry @easternKicks

[Wilson Kwong @throwdown815]

A thread of my thoughts on #TIFF22 (full coverage will be posted on @FilmInquiry). Couldn’t be happier that @TIFF_NET is back in full form!

[DepressedBergman @DannyDrinksWine]

Alejandro G. Iñárritu visited the Cannes Film Festival for the first time in 2000 for the premiere of his film, "Amores Perros" (2000). One day during the festival, Iñárritu and many other directors were invited for a 7 PM screening of Wong Kar-wai's "In the Mood for Love" (2000).

Iñárritu and his wife Maria booked a taxi at 6:15 PM. But the taxis were overbooked. So Iñárritu, wearing a tuxedo & his wife, wearing a long dress with high heels had no other choice but to run to reach the theater on time, while the temperature was 95°F. The traffic was heavy. While running, Iñárritu took off his jacket, tie & the first 3 buttons of his shirt. His wife took off her shoes.

Their effort wasn't in vain as they reached the theater at 7:01 PM. They were drenched in sweat. But they both had experience of their lives when they watched the movie.

Here is what Iñárritu said of "In the Mood for Love" (2000):

"For a filmmaker, the experience of entering that legendary [Palais Des Festivals] with 2,000 seats is similar to that of a Catholic boy going into the Vatican. [From] all the way in the back, we watched “In the Mood for Love” on a screen 40 times bigger than us.

Maria and I walked in complete silence for almost 10 minutes [afterward]. We suddenly stopped by the sea. Maria hugged me and started crying inconsolably on my shoulder. And I did the same on hers. “In the Mood for Love” had left us speechless and deeply moved. It was that moment that reminded me why, even when it’s so stupidly difficult sometimes, I wanted to become a filmmaker."

("We Miss You, Cannes: 23 Filmmakers Relive Indelible Moments", Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott, The NY Times, 2020)

P.S: On this day, 26 years ago, "In the Mood for Love" (2000) premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, France.

[Ashley K 🍿 @kramerific]

I gasped, I screamed and I'll probably have nightmares tonight (complimentary)! 🐰 I loved seeing this in a packed theater. Scary movie fans, get to a theater to watch #Hokum.

[Christopher Nolan Archives @NolanAnalyst]

Christopher Nolan says he’s seen ‘La La Land’ three or four times.

“La La Land, to me, is an extraordinary film. It’s amazing piece of directing, and I don’t usually like musicals.”

[Criterion Collection @Criterion]

A very special message from Wong Kar Wai 🌹

Premiering exclusively on @criterionchannl later this year: BLOSSOMS SHANGHAI, Wong Kar Wai's first-ever original series — all 30 episodes! Get ready.

[♡ @taesdawn26]

movie tickets of wong kar-wai's films in south korea ✨

[Barry Hertz @HertzBarry]

Paramount's official synopsis for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING is everything you need it to be

[Frank Yan @FrankYan2]

We finally get a hint of what the “never before seen” footage for the special 25th anniversary rerelease of IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE really is in the new trailer and poster: Maggie Cheung wearing a hat and a trench coat in what looks like not 1960s but 2000s

[Dylan Cheung @Futurhythm]

"Famous Hong Kong actor Tony Leung (62) will star in an action film about Hong Kong gang warfare with production to take place primarily in Hokkaido. Shooting will commence this winter and is scheduled for a 2027 release. The director is Hong Kong action maestro Johnnie To (69)."

[Kazik Radwanski @redvineski]

Matt always rolls up his pants into capris. Every scene we'd be 3 takes in and I'd catch him and have to yell at him to roll his pant legs back down. Directing, collaborating and developing his character was super organic. Pant continuity was incredibly difficult.

[Cinephilia, anti-fascism, & fuck AI @CCinephilia]

David Lynch shares his thoughts on dying and living. 💔

h/t r/davidlynch

[The Asian Cut @TheAsianCut]

Before we dive into the new year, we're taking a look at The Asian Cut's favourite movies of 2024!

Thank you to everyone who took a minute (or two) to read a review, interview, or essay by a member of our talented team. Cheers to more in 2025 🥂🥂🥂

🔗: https://t.co/kw6ThGt3BL

[TIFF @TIFF_NET]

“What is TIFF?”

It’s not often you get to be the question on an iconic game show, thanks Pop Culture @Jeopardy for the shoutout.

Get your TIFF inspired merch today by visiting the TIFF shop in person or by shopping online at the link in our bio.

[Dylan Cheung @Futurhythm]

Another amazing Johnnie To interview dropped, this time from the BBC. Exceptionally frank and outspoken as usual, going into detail his own creative block, the state of the industry, and the political situation in Hong Kong. Thread of highlights (when I get to it) 🧵

[Dylan Cheung @Futurhythm]

Johnnie To says he still has creative block in a new Ming Pao interview:
"Because Hong Kong has changed, there are things I no longer believe in... the space to breathe and to imagine has narrowed. I really don't want to adapt to this era, because to adapt is to surrender."

[Dylan Cheung @Futurhythm]

*The Mission theme intensifies*

[Elmo @elmo]

Elmo is here to listen. Elmo loves you, Mr. Andrew Garfield! ❤️ #EmotionalWellBeing

[Wilson Kwong @throwdown815]

@WarnerBrosCA Toronto!

[Netflix UK & Ireland @NetflixUK]

20 years ago today Oceanic Flight 815 crashed, and whatever happened, happened. #LOST

[Dylan Cheung @Futurhythm]

I edited together the most complete version possible of The Mission theme using the the French DVD audio. You can hear Law Wing-cheong closing the gate (which actually covers up where I stitched the audio together) and some dogs barking. In mp3 and FLAC. https://t.co/hGwWy9kC6S

[Dylan Cheung @Futurhythm]

The problem with trying to elevate Hong Kong cinema in this really insular, highrbrow cinephile kind of way, ignoring its inherent rampant commercialism and working-class audience, is you end up making the career of someone like Maggie Cheung much less impressive than it is.