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Wong Kar-wai

17 July 1958 – present

Wong Kar-wai is a Hong Kong film director, screenwriter and producer known for films including Chungking Express, Happy Together, In the Mood for Love and 2046. His work is associated with atmospheric visuals, fragmented narratives and long improvisational shoots, developed in collaboration with cinematographer Christopher Doyle and production designer William Chang. He won the Best Director award at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.

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Life events

Born in Shanghai, China
17 July 1958

Wong was born in Shanghai, the youngest of three children.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Family moved to Hong Kong
1963

He relocated with his mother at the age of five, shortly before the border tightened and separated him from his siblings for years.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Graduated in graphic design and joined TVB
1980

After studying at Hong Kong Polytechnic he entered the production training programme at television broadcaster TVB.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Directorial debut with As Tears Go By
1988

His first feature, a triad drama starring Andy Lau and Maggie Cheung, was a commercial success in Hong Kong.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Founded the production company Jet Tone Films
1991

Wong set up his own company to produce his subsequent features.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Release of Chungking Express
1994

The two-part film, shot quickly during a break in production on Ashes of Time, brought him international attention.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival for Happy Together
May 1997

He became the first Hong Kong director to win the Cannes award for Best Director.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Release of In the Mood for Love
2000

The film premiered at Cannes, where Tony Leung won the Best Actor award, and is widely cited among the most acclaimed films of its era.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
President of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival
May 2006

Wong was the first Chinese filmmaker to head the main competition jury at Cannes.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Release of The Grandmaster
2013

His martial arts film about Ip Man opened the Berlin International Film Festival and swept the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓