2046 (film)

2046 is a Hong Kong movie (filmed in Shanghai) written and directed by Wong Kar-wai, released in 2004. It is a sequel to Days of Being Wild (released in 1991) and In the Mood for Love (released in 2000). It follows the love-life of Chow Mo-wan in 1960s' Hong Kong but includes some science fiction elements.

Filming details

A total secrecy surrounded the movie before its release, and this led to a lot of speculation as to the significance of the number "2046". Many thought the title referenced the year in which the movie would be set, and that it would be a science fiction film. It also became an in-joke that the title would actually refer to the year of release.

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The film took a whole four years in making, and the production suffered a good deal of bad luck. For example, the production was shut down because of the SARS epidemic in March 2003. It finally premiered during the 2004 Cannes Film Festival as a competitive film (the reels arrived straight from the laboratory causing a delay in the schedule), yet Wong pulled the film off after the premiere to continue editing it. Wong was reportedly still editing it until October, when it was finally finished and released to theaters.

Related Topics:
SARS - Epidemic - Premiere - 2004 Cannes Film Festival

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It has been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics in the United States of America, and is scheduled for release on 5 August 2005.

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