As early as June this year, the news of the collaboration between the legendary director Wong Kar-wai and Hong Kong Sotheby’s modern art auction immediately caused a stir among collectors and film fans. After waiting for three months, the auction details were finally officially announced! In October, Director Wong will present his first film NFT work “In the Mood for Love – A Moment” as an artist, collector, and curator, as well as the iconic “Heartbroken Tango – Yellow Leather Jacket” worn by Leslie Cheung in the film “Happy Together”, and a selection of 30 special film treasures from the “Zedong Collection”. The rich collection of items showcases Wong’s creative essence over the years, making it highly anticipated!
“As a classic in Chinese cinema, ‘In the Mood for Love’ has won the ‘Best Artistic Achievement’ award at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival. Director Wong will create the first film NFT artwork for this film at this auction, documenting the top-secret plot of the first day of shooting! He has personally written an article for this auction item, reflecting on the journey from conceiving this classic work to the present.”
The text reads: “Creation often stems from a single thought. A single thought lasts for ninety moments, and each moment contains nine hundred births and deaths. Where did the idea for ‘In the Mood for Love’ come from? Hard to say. What can be confirmed is that February 13, 1999, was the first day I put this idea into action.” Just this short passage alone, with its fragmented narrative structure and emphasis on time and numbers, is already filled with the “Wong Kar-wai touch.”
Another notable item is the yellow leather jacket worn by Leslie Cheung in “Happy Together,” symbolizing the legendary presence of a generation of superstars and carrying the extraordinary significance of director Wong Kar-wai winning the “Best Director” award at the Cannes Film Festival with this film. This male same-sex love story caused a sensation in the film industry at the time, and the image of the elder brother wearing a yellow leather jacket in the film has become a near-classic. Since the completion of the film in 1997, this leather jacket has been kept in the “Ze Dong Collection” and after nearly a quarter of a century, it is now back in front of the audience. Even though the person has passed away, the meaning it carries remains precious.
In the article, Wang Dao recalls how his brother always shone in front of others, while he preferred to stay behind his brother, occasionally catching a glimpse of the loneliness behind the fireworks. When the character He Baorong in the play holds the leather jacket close, it’s like a solo tango. He said, “I’ve always kept this yellow leather jacket. Because it symbolizes a past existence; gentleness, rebellion, and the loneliness behind the fireworks.”
Finally, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of “Zedong Films,” the auction presents a special event “Unforgettable: Wong Kar Wai x Zedong Films 30th Anniversary” – Wong Kar Wai Film Collection Auction. Director Wong will carefully select 30 pieces of his film collection, each accompanied by his personally signed certificate of authenticity, with unquestionable collection value! This includes costumes, props, styling, photography, posters from past films, as well as Wong Kar Wai’s personal collection. Of particular note are works from his long-term partners Zhang Shuping, William Chang, and Christopher Doyle, as well as pieces from artists from different regions specially designed for this 30th anniversary event.
This cross-border collaboration combines the film aesthetics of director Wong Kar Wai with the carefully crafted masterpieces of modern art, creating an unprecedented chapter in auction history. Before the auction officially begins, it is bound to stir up another wave of “Wong Kar Wai craze.” More details will be revealed later, so collectors and fans, please stay tuned!
Learn more: Hong Kong Sotheby’s
Image source: Ze Dong Movies
