‘Ashes of Time’ is a highly original fantasy, swordplay movie from cult Hong Kong film director Wong Kar-Wai. The film skillfully weaves a handful of stories together through the device of the central character of Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung), a mercenary swordsman who owns an inn in the middle of a desert. With his usual flair Wong Kar-Wai (with the help of Australian cinematographer Chris Doyle), creates a visually sumptuous and highly original film. A stylish mix of spaghetti western, epic landscapes and Chinese fantasy folktales and swordfights the film includes a who’s who of Hong Kong film stars. Cast includes Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Carina Lau, Tony Leung and Jacky Cheung. In Cantonese with English subtitles.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
309077
Language
Chinese
Audience classification
M (15+)
Subject categories
Action & Adventure → Action films
Action & Adventure → Martial arts films
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Foreign language films
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Martial arts films
Fantasy & Science Fiction → Fantasy
Feature films → Feature films - Hong Kong
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)