"Ashes of Time:" yet ANOTHER Wong film.

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This one is a period samurai piece with the ethereal cinematography for which Wong's films are noted. The story line is a confusing web of (I think) three separate stories but which somehow (I think) are connected. Sure, the fight scenes go on interminably and some of the "mysticism" has a hokey, almost Age of Aquarius ring to it... but it's great fun to try and solve this intriguing puzzle.
Just as post-modern, post-abstract artists deconstructed static visual arts, Wong has taken narrative art and turned it on its head. Visually, he also has blazed a new trail: blurs, absurd close-ups which are too close almost for recognition, and splashes of vibrant color would overwhelm other less talented directors' works: with Wong, they compliment the mystery of the narrative.
Though Borges is a writer very short on "flash," he is the closest literary artist to Wong. With both, one is left with images and thoughts which transcend logic, exciting more primitive, icon-and-images controlled parts of the brain.
Certainly, not one of the artist's best works but one which I am looking forward to re-visiting...

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Topic - "Ashes of Time:" yet ANOTHER Wong film. - tinear 05:24:22 03/28/06 (3)

It's a shame no worthy DVD edition exists. -nt- - Donald 09:45:31 03/28/06 (2)

How did you see it? Is there a video version that's better? - tinear 10:56:33 03/28/06 (1)

Re: How did you see it? Is there a video version that's better? - Donald 12:21:35 03/28/06 (0)

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