“We have a Dropbox folder full of images, and there’s definitely some screen grabs from Happy Together in there. Also some other Wong Kar-wai films; also some Hou Hsiao-hsien films and Claire Denis,” Moonlight cinematographer James Laxton recently told us regarding preparation for his collaboration with Barry Jenkins. Indeed, the parallels to the films of Wong Kar-wai are apparent — more than just visually, as we discussed in an extensive feature — and a new video explores these connections.
Created by Alessio Marinacci and featuring Jenkins’ drama with side-by-side comparisons to Days of Being Wild, In the Mood for Love, and the aforementioned Happy Together, it’s beautiful evidence of homage. From colors to framing to gestures to camera movement, it’s remarkable to see what Jenkins pulled from and made his own. If anything, we could use more of Wong Kar-wai’s sensibilities in American filmmaking, as Moonlight proves.
Check it out below.
Read More: No-Home Movie: Emotional Dislocation in Happy Together and Moonlight
