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As Tears Go By

Name: As Tears Go By
Director: Wong Kar-Wai
Released: 1988
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

1988

Not Rated

Director

Wong Kar-Wai

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Wong Kar-wai’s crime drama offers a unique perspective on the Hong Kong underworld, providing an authentic, localized experience that diverges from the typical Western crime narrative. However, the film's reliance on male-driven plot dynamics limits the ability to act of female characters. Additionally, the film lacks LGBTQ+ representation and does not address disabilities. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its cultural specificity and its critique of traditional hierarchies, while also exploring moral relativism within a system of limited mobility.

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Category Breakdown

Does As Tears Go By have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or storylines. The romantic relationship is strictly between the male protagonist and the female lead.

How does As Tears Go By portray gender?

Fair

The female lead holds significant emotional weight, but the story is largely driven by male characters. The film challenges traditional masculine roles by depicting men as volatile and ultimately doomed.

How racially and ethnically diverse is As Tears Go By?

Good

The story focuses on a Cantonese-speaking underworld in Hong Kong, breaking away from Western crime cinema conventions by providing an authentic cultural and linguistic setting.

How does As Tears Go By represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film portrays the family unit as corrupt rather than stable, critiquing traditional institutions. It delves into the evolving identity of Hong Kong during the colonial period.