ASHES OF TIME REDUX Plus - Part 2 of 2

Ashes of Time Redux screened at the Ziegfled Theater as part of the New York Film Festival. The older restored theater added to the mood for watching this swordsman movie.

Before the movie Wong Kar-Wai, Chris Doyle and Brigitte Lin spoke. A longtime fan of "Miss Lin" as the moderator addressed her I wasn't prepared for the weepiness I felt as I was so overjoyed to see her in person. She's still very beautiful and has a captivating smile. She spoke in Mandarin which was translated for the audience. It was evident she understands English but felt more comfortable speaking in her native language.


Brigitte Lin after the earlier press screening on Friday, Oct 10th. Notice Chris Doyle taking photos of her too.


A Q & A was held after the movie. There's a three part Youtube video of comments by Wong Kar-Wai and Brigitte Lin plus comments and antics by Chris Doyle who seemed pretty trashed by this time. The videos are here: ASHES OF TIME REDUX@NYFF.

ASHES OF TIME REDUX is shorter by minutes, a few parts of scenes have been edited, some additions and some rearrangement have been done. Is it better/worse/less confusing than the original people ask? Yes, no, maybe. People need to answer that question for themselves. I've seen the original movie so many times that it's not confusing to me anymore. Both movies are so rich that new/different things are seen/can be seen with each viewing.

What's great about REDUX is the color. You can see so much that was in darkness in the DVDs. It's a mutli layered story and in this version you can see how the layers are reflected in the textures and colors of the setting and in the costumes. Every actor wears clothing that has wrinkles, crinkles, layers or raised embellishments. The desert has texture and the structure where the characters hang out has textured walls and floors. Patterns are reflected by light everywhere. The pottery the characters eat and drink from has different textures. Enough gushing from me. Look at the pictures below from the movie website. Then see the movie, see the movie, see the movie!


Leslie Cheung as Ouyang Feng sits atop a large rock over looking the desert.


Leslie Cheung as Ouyang Feng and Jacky Cheung as Hong Qi. Notice the richness of the costumes and attention to detail by art director William Chang.


Carina Lau as Peach Blossom. Notice the contrast between her clear skin and the textured wall behind her.


Brigitte Lin as Murong Yin stands by a birdcage. Again notice colors and textures in the costumes and light reflected on her face from the birdcage.


Brigitte Lin as Murong Yang the swordsman in a textured costume of contrasting colors.

I don't consider myself a weepy or overly emotional person but seeing Brigitte Lin in person and then watching one of my favorite actors, the late Leslie Cheung, star in a movie so full of emotional and physical intensity left me feeling drained. But not too drained to listen to the original soundtrack (ASHES OF TIME REDUX soundtrack isn't released yet) on my drive home.