“2046” Why does Taku/Takuya Kimura ride the train? Capitalism and the anxieties of the times depicted by Wong Kar-wai

Main character trapped in the past

First, it is necessary to understand the meaning behind the number "2046". In 1997, Hong Kong was handed back to China from the United Kingdom under the one country, two systems policy, which meant that the political system would remain unchanged for at least 50 years. 2046 is the final year of that period, and it is the time when the city of Hong Kong will once again be forced to move on to the next stage. It can be predicted from the title that one of the major themes of ``2046'' is Hong Kong after 1997.

Kar-wai's book ``In the Mood for Love'' depicts two eras of Hong Kong, around 1966 and after the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, based on the ambiguous relationship between Chau and Mrs. Chan, their suspended time, and its demise. implicitly presented the situation. The sequel, ``2046,'' is set in Hong Kong since then, namely after 1966 and after 1997. The story of Chau, who cannot forget his past love, symbolizes the former, and the story surrounding 2046 symbolizes the latter.

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Chow and Mrs. Chan, who were suspended in time and space in ``In the Mood for Love,'' often found themselves in temporary locations such as hotel rooms, taxis, and roads. In ``2046,'' Chow wanders through time in a similar way. He lives in a hotel room, has no contact with the outside world, and is unable to properly love a woman. In the novel written by Chau, people aiming for <2046> are searching for the memories they have lost.

What we see here is none other than Chau, who is still attached to his "past" as Mrs. Chan. As he himself confesses in his monologue, what is written in his novels is a reflection of his daily life.