2046 US release?

Matt_P · 08-12-2004, 11:40 PM

Hey all,

Being a fan of Wong Kar-Wai, I've wanted to see 2046 ever since I heard it was in the works. It looks like another superb effort--a kind of sci-fi/futuristic quasi-sequel to In the Mood for Love.

It garnered praise at Cannes (but was overshadowed by a little editorial/documentary film). Any word on a US release date? A DVD (even alternate region)? How bout it, Criterion?

BTW, Richard Corliss wrote a glowing piece on the film: http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazi...641205,00.html

ThomasC · 08-13-2004, 12:23 AM

According to IMDB, it hasn't been released in Asia yet. Malaysia is first on the list to get it on September 30th. A DVD wouldn't be released there until at least the end of the year, but I'd imagine it would be later. As for U.S. distribution, I haven't heard anything about a U.S. distributor picking it up.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212712/releaseinfo

David_Blackwell · 08-13-2004, 12:52 AM

I read the director has decided to go back and shoot more scenes for the movie.

Nick C. · 08-13-2004, 02:01 AM

Quote:

I read the director has decided to go back and shoot more scenes for the movie.

that's what monkeypeaches is reporting... and highly likely, as WKW is such a perfectionist.

IMDB shows Buena Vista/Disney has the US distribution rights, so at least it's not Miramax (then again, Harvey may be gone soon...)

anyhow, without a Hong Kong release noted, I doubt we'll see this before next year, DVD or otherwise. I wonder if "Eros" may make it out here in the US first, as it's going to be premiered over at Venice next month and may make the international rounds faster

David_Blackwell · 08-13-2004, 02:20 AM

Dark Horizons had this listed from the MonkeyPeaches site with the August 12th news:

Quote:

Since returning from Cannes, he has made some additional scenes with Maggie Cheung and Faye Wong. More scenes might be shot in Shanghai. As the result, Maggie Cheung's share will be increased from one-shot cameo in the Cannes version to a role with approximately 15 minutes scenes in the final theatrical version. 2046 will be released in China, including Hong Kong, late September.

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Rich Malloy · 08-13-2004, 10:04 AM

Buena Vista or Miramax? Hoo-boy. Looks like I'll be seeing this movie initially on a Chinese/HK import DVD.

S'alright. Can't wait!

ThomasC · 08-13-2004, 12:53 PM

Quote:

IMDB shows Buena Vista/Disney has the US distribution rights, so at least it's not Miramax

Yeah, right. What other Disney-owned company would release a film like this?

Quote:

Maggie Cheung's share will be increased from one-shot cameo in the Cannes version to a role with approximately 15 minutes scenes in the final theatrical version.

Haha, I remembered that Maggie won the best actress award at Cannes, but I forgot that she won it for Clean and not for 2046. If she had won the award for a one-shot cameo, boy, that would've been something.

Michael^DC · 08-13-2004, 07:41 PM

why do most other countries seem to get good movies before USA?

Dan Rudolph · 08-14-2004, 04:31 AM

America gets good American movies first, so it works out. I would assume that since the US is a larger market and more is at stake, negotiations are tougher and take longer.

Matt_P · 08-14-2004, 10:05 PM

True, Dan. I wasn't aware WKW was going back to shoot additional bits. He's certainly notorious for tweaking his films till the last possible second.

ThomasC · 05-25-2005, 08:48 PM

I just posted this in the 2005 Foreign, Alternative and Independent Films thread:

2046 has been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics, and will be released into theaters starting on August 5th. It's old news (announced back in March), but I didn't find out about it until today, and no one posted about it here.

http://movies.about.com/od/moviesinp...film032305.htm

Nathan V · 05-26-2005, 01:50 AM

I have seen the film. It was at Seattle Int'l Film Fest. Our version was 126-129 some minutes. Let me just say, it blows 'In the Mood for Love' the hell out of the water. (and who thought that was possible?) It is very different, though; it is just as subtle thematically, but the visual approach is enhanced- more vibrant, some obscenely exquisite camera moves- dolly shots, freeze frames, black and white; also, it's 2.35:1. This is one of those movies where the character development is conveyed by the color of the walls, or the amount of light in the room; it's a whole different type of movie watching, I can't really explain it. It works on a different level than most films; the focus is on mood and feeling. It aims not for the mind, but for the gut. And the sound design, the brilliant repeating music cues, the atmosphere, the fuc*ing colors, the set direction, the acting, my goodness...I could rant about this movie for days. Do everything you can to see it. Rumor has it it's already on netflix, albeit in a rather shitty dvd- check dvdbeaver for details and screenshots.

I know this isn't a review/discussion thread, sorry, I couldn't resist talking about it. btw, upcomingmovies.com confirms the august release.