'as tears go by'

it is really quite amazing how much the representation of hong kong in its action films reminds me of mumbai. i am thinking about not only the throngs of crowds through which chase sequences are carried out, or the hawkers who run away at the sight of a police van but also the typical icons that make up the characters- the strong central male character, the wistful waiflike innocent woman, the sadistic villain, the generous but selfish godfather.. even the themes of a ‘satya’ and the average hong kong action film really don’t differ too much- though i am making my judgment on the handful of films that i have seen…. male honor versus romantic love, the bonding between friends that can lead to tragic self sacrifice, the eventual destruction of everything in a life dedicated to crime.

saw ‘as tears go by’ last night at home with ranjit and somehow in spite of the cheesy ‘take my breath away’ in chinese, or other parts of the background score reeking of the eighties, it was pretty exciting and moving.. great action sequences, shamelessly romantic and operatic- extremely stylized yet lush and moody and so more a ‘wong kar-wai’ than a ‘john woo’ film..