An atmospheric, brooding, and cerebral costume epic from Hong Kong's artsiest auteur, Wong Kar-Wai, who turns down the volume on the action sequences (which are directed by Sammo Hung) in favor of carefully composed, expressionistic camera work and character emphasis. An unusual blend of fast-paced action and meditative drama.
An atmospheric, brooding, and cerebral costume epic from Hong Kong's artsiest auteur, Kar-Wai, who turns down the volume on the action sequences (which are directed by Sammo Hung) in favor of carefully composed, expressionistic camera work and character emphasis.
Released theatrically in New York City May 17, 1996.
A 95-minute version was screened in competition at the 1994 Venice Film Festival. A 100-minute version was released to theaters in Eastern Asia.
Production companies: Jet Tone (Wong Kar-wai's company) and Scholar Films (Hong Kong).
Estimated budget: $5.5 million, or $HK40 million.
A comedic version of "Ashes of Time," called "The Eagle Shooting Heroes: Dong Cheng Xi Jiu," was directed by Jeff Lau and released in January of 1993.
"Ashes" director Wong Kar-wai, under intense studio pressure to release a box office winner as soon as possible, dispatched his partner Lau to direct a parody of "Ashes of Time" before the film itself was even made; the venture succeeded as "Eagle Shooting Heroes" turned out to be one of Hong Kong Cinema's best box-office performers in 1993.
In the meantime, the production of "Ashes of Time", which was only in the early stages, was suspended until the large cast could once again coordinate their schedules. Shooting began again in the summer of 1993, this time in mainland China instead of the Hong Kong studios, and "Ashes" was completed shortly thereafter.
Wong Kar-wai's 1990 film, "Days of Being Wild," was originally intended to be followed by a sequel, which would continue to explore ideas expressed in "Days." Unfortunately, "Days of Being Wild" bombed at the box office, thus preventing the production of Wong's follow-up project. "Ashes of Time" is generally regarded to be an unofficial, unacknowledged sequel to "Days of Being Wild," in that it utilizes much of the same cast and crew and covers a similar thematic terrain.
Excerpt: "The best way to avoid rejection is to reject others first." -- Ouyang Feng (LESLIE CHEUNG).
"The flags are still
No wind blows
It's the heart of man that's in tumult." -- Buddhist philosophy
DVD Features:
Region 0
Keep Case
Letterbox - 1.85
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Action Director/Arranger
Sammo Hung: Hong Kong Director/Actor
Director of Photography
Christopher Doyle: Director of Photography, Hong Kong films with Wong Kar-Wai
Review 1:
"...Mythic, melancholy and mysterious, ASHES OF TIME is a philosopher's movie..."
Source: New York Times
p.C7 05/17/1996
Review 2:
"...ASHES OF TIME is a sweeping, bravura martial arts period adventure....Glorious..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F10 04/19/1996
Shopping Cart:
