This is Wong Kar-Wai‘s world, we’re just living in it. Despite not directing a feature since 2013’s “The Grandmaster,” the filmmaker has stayed pretty busy the past few months, and now Kar-Wai is back on the director’s chair with a new short film that feels far bigger and more visually stunning than any trailer or ad from last night’s Super Bowl.
Though the on-screen credits for the short film say it was “curated” by Wong Kar-Wai, advertising agency Ogilvy Asia reports it was actually directed by Wong Kar-Wai himself. The short film was made for Mercedes Benz China for this Friday’s Lunar New Year. At six and a half minutes, the short unfortunately has no subtitles. Still, even going off visuals alone, the short film is full of Kar-Wai’s filmmaking trademarks. There is a long-spanning romance, rain-soaked windows, slow-motion shots, and a vivid and gorgeous color palette.
You thought that commercial with Timothée Chalamet as the son of “Edward Scissorhands” looked good? You were impressed with how much “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” looks like a Marvel movie? Wait until you see Wong Kar-Wai make you check your bank account statement and start looking for a used Mercedes in just six minutes.
The legendary Hongkonger filmmaker has been busy the past year. Not only did he begin production on a new TV project, but he oversaw the restoration of some of his best films for the “Wong Kar Wai” release courtesy of the Criterion Collection and Janus, and also produced the Sundance film “One for the Road.” This week also sees the North American vinyl release of the incredible soundtrack for Kar-Wai’s masterpiece, “In the Mood for Love” via Mondo for the film’s 20th anniversary.
While we wait for Wong Kar-Wai’s new project, you can watch the filmmaker’s latest short film below: