"My Blueberry Nights" Colors, poetry, atmosphere...the moment when Wong Kar-wai's aesthetic sense became "globalized"

Beautiful visuals that don't make you feel the absence of Christopher Doyle

Although ``My Blueberry Nights'' is a movie where director Kar-Wai's ``taste'' can be felt throughout, the cast and staff members are significantly different from previous films. One big thing is the absence of cinematographer Christopher Doyle.

Director Kar-Wai and Doyle are a golden duo who have worked together for a long time, from `` Days of Being Wild '' (1990) to `` 2046 '' (2004). However, in ``My Blueberry Nights,'' Darius Khondji is the director of photography. He is a veteran of films such as David Fincher's ` `Seven '' (1995), Roman Polanski's `` The Ninth Gate '' (1999), and Danny Boyle's ` `The Beach '' (1999). After this film, she directed Woody Allen's films such as `` Midnight in Paris '' (2011), Michael Haneke's ` `Amour '' (12), and Bong Joon-ho's ` `Okja' ' (2012). 17) and continues to have a successful career.

It can be assumed that it was a big challenge for director Kar-wai to shoot with someone other than Doyle, but when he actually saw the completed film, he was surprised at how traditional Kar-wai was, such as the colors, atmosphere, cuts, and length of each scene. It is faithfully expressed. It is said that a total of three location hunting tours were conducted for this film to find filming locations, and I admire not only director Kar-wai's unwavering aesthetic sense but also the dedicated efforts of the filming team.

"My Blueberry Nights" (C) Block 2 Pictures 2006

The story of this work is not an orthodox one, but consists of two elements: a ``road movie'' and a ``love story.'' Furthermore, the heroine and her partner are physically separated and are in a state of correspondence. Even though there are only a few shots of the two, they have to make it seem like their mutual affection for each other, almost love, continues uninterrupted. It can be said that it is a fairly difficult mission.

While adhering to the director's worldview, which has a clear sense of quirk, Kar-wai's secret theme of filming in New York, Memphis, and Las Vegas to ``depict the American country and each city'' is also firmly established. It creates the atmosphere of a road movie with dust and smoke, and also conveys the charm of a melancholic and sweet love story... Just listing each staff member's to-do list would make my head explode, but all the elements are arranged so that they look natural and not cluttered. The continued contribution of director Kar-wai's ally William Cheung as art and editor was probably a big factor, but the contribution of the staff is immeasurable.

By the way, director Kar-Wai often made choices that were different from what he had planned, and reportedly moved the Las Vegas bar scene on the day of filming. Additionally, due to star Rachel Weisz's pregnancy, it was not possible to shoot in order, and the schedule was changed. The filming period was eight weeks, which was tighter than Kar-wai's previous films.

"My Blueberry Nights" (C) Block 2 Pictures 2006

Furthermore, during filming at a cafe in New York, which is the main setting of the film, the film was reshot approximately 150 times over three days at different speeds and from various angles. This can be said to be an episode unique to director Kar-Wai's work, who emphasizes camera shake, the speed of camera movement, and the sense of speed that matches the mood. Cast member Jude Law said, ``This is the first time I've worked with someone who puts so much emphasis on the 'moment','' looking back on director Kar-Wai's work.

Planning with Norah Jones in mind