Director Kar Wai Wong’s 1994 film, Ashes of Time, has been re-edited and digitally re-mastered. It contains various stories centered around ‘Ouyang’, a selfish and cynical merchant who uses assassins to make money without getting blood on his hands. Although Wong put his heart and soul into making Ashes of Time in a remote desert in China for over 2 years, it received the cold shoulder in comparison to his highly successful film, Chungking Express. There are probably many viewers out there who watched this film on video or DVD due to Wong’s reputation, but believe me, Ashes of Time must be ‘felt’ on film. The crackling desert dust particles on screen shed light on the main character’s inner side. Seven minutes shorter than the 1994 original, the film also has new ending credits and title designs. With performances by top, dazzling Hong Kong stars and Christopher Doyle’s cinematography, the film is sure to make hearts flutter even now. It is a great chance to truly enjoy director Wong’s overlooked masterpiece. (KANG Sowon)