"Wong Kar-Wai has opened up a new emotional dimension in Hong-Kong cinema, [...]. His use of music is characteristic of this approach, which aims the whole time to bring out an unstated emotion. Unlike other Hong-Kong directors, Wong Kar-Wai never uses Chinese music, because in his films the sound-track never illustrates a precise, real context, but evokes a purely referential, even interior world (Lalanne, 30)."
In "CHASING THE METAPHYSICAL EXPRESS: MUSIC IN THE FILMS OF WONG KAR-WAI," Jean-Marc Lalanne profoundly analyzes the role of music in WKW's films, giving examples from films like Chungking Express, Days of Being Wild, Happy Together, Ashes of Time. Although we've only watched a couple of them, the significance of the usage of music in WKW's films is already obviously presented.
His comment on the interaction between music and the characters remarkably fits to Chungking Express, in terms of the young waitress's relationship with her beloved song, California Dreaming:
"The interaction between music and the characters is expressed visually just as much as symbolically. In Wong Kar-Wai's films the characters create their own sound environment. They hear and above all listen to music. Music exaggerates their narcissistic impulses, brings out their natural sensuality and consolidates the fantasy worlds that they invent for themselves. Music creates pockets of fiction within the overall fiction of the story, mini-narratives for the characters (31)."
Some similar comments could also be found in both Brunette and Teo's writings on Chungking Express.
Read through all there readings for Chungking Express, and investigate how music is mapped out in the film and how it contributes to the overall meaning of the film, in consideration of WKW's other stylistic choices of cinematic elements. You can always refer to any films/shorts that we have watched in class or anything else of your own interest.
* Keep in mind that week4.k.w is designed to be a shorter/similar version of our midterm paper. An assignment sheet will be ready next Thursday.
* Chungking Express is available on netflix (although not for instant watch). Our library also has a VHS copy with English subtitle aviable at the 4F circulation desk, and there are players right next to it.
To be honest, I did not like the redundancy of the use of 'California Dreaming" attributed to Faye, that played at almost six different occurrences; especially when it starts from the very beginning (broken record.) I only say that because every time it started up again, I had already understood it's purpose after the third time it played, the unnecessary repetition might take the audiences attention away from the film as they think about how much they now hate this song. The song fed the idea that Faye was obviously, dreaming of California, and being a fan of The Mamas and The Papas, I understand. The only thing is, she had other motivations as well, and the song didn't exactly portray those motivations very effectively. She eventually makes it California, but she also like this man, or just likes to clean his apartment, (kidding). I like the idea of attributing songs to characters within the story that act as a very implicit look in to the characters thoughts, and their overall drive, I like the idea a lot, I just don't think it was executed as well as it could have been. Maybe play from different segments of the song, or choose a son that incorporates secret love with the idea of escaping to california, there has to be thousands.
ReplyDeleteWhile I liked the use of "California Dreaming" in the second story, I felt like it's overuse made the first story seem a little empty and less engaging. It didn't have that defining theme like the second story. Looking back, I can hardly recall much of the story. "California Dreaming" defined the Faye character, but it also became a plot point and played a role in the relationship between Faye and 633. In a day when people can listen to the same Lady Gaga song twelve times in one hour I don't think that the use of "California Dreaming" was too extensive.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the music much more in this piece than in others. I had not looked at it like Lalanne seems to. I did see it as speaking to their characters, but not to their narcissistic, self indulgent qualities.
ReplyDeleteI love the song "California Dreaming", especially the version by America, but by the time the movie was over, I did not want to hear that song again. I believe it is powerful that W.K.W. made me tired of a song I have always loved simply through repetition. I kept trying to make sense of why he used this song so much, other than defining Faye's character.
I like that she listens to the song until she leaves to see the world, and this is when the cop begins to really listen to it. The irony is so great when she returns from actually seeing the world, and seeing California, and the cop is living his little life in his snack shop in Hong Kong jamming out to a song about dreaming of California.
Other than this, it's hard for me to really think of any other music that was played in the film. This song dominated the audio track so greatly that it overcast any memory I have of other songs.
Either way, this was pretty powerful on the part of W.K.W., whether it was his intention or not.
I especially identified with Brunnete's account of the use of California Dreaming as a signifier and critique of globalization, especially that of American culture. Taken in this political context, Faye's quip that it makes her stop thinking is especially salient. This motivation for the song, unlike that of Faye's characterization, more completely justifies the repetition that is so extensive as to chaff the ears. In this formulation of the song's purpose, this repetition is actually meant to be annoying, to convey a negative value to the mass culture it symbolizes.
ReplyDeleteWKW makes great use of the song California Dreaming. When it is first heard in the film it serves to illustrate that particular characters longing to escape away into what seems to be a paradise by the songs lyrics. Just in the way that globalization is often the result of one cultures longing for the hyped up aspects of another cultures. The extensive use of the song then reflects how this globalization can become a burden to cultures that dont want it. Much the same way that by the end of the film that song becomes almost painful to listen to again yet another time. Also by using an english sung version in a film that isn't it english it further represents the invasion of one culture onto another. Also by Faye being so into the song and it becoming the catalyst for her moving to CA it also represents how easily culture can be assimilated.
ReplyDeleteThe use of the song California Dreaming was annoying, and at the same time successful. We view the song as a symbol for diverging cultures as well as the need to get away. Faye uses the song so much that the audience is waiting for her to leave and follow it. I think it is ironic that upon her return, another person has fallen into her habits. By using the audio track Wong Kar-Wai was able to establish a character, a theme, and keep it to one song. Fully aware everytime the song played, the audience (at least me) was able to never forget it's meaning, which in turn created WKW's choice very powerful. If you ask me another song that played during the film, I would not be able to give you one.
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