When it's time to let go, I don't look back, and I start another project as soon as possible. One thing I remind myself is that I don't want to Photoshop my past.
Wong Kar-WaiRead
Chinese martial artists consider themselves to be gardeners, and it's an honor for them to take care of this garden, to better it and hand it over to the generations that follow. I think that's a very important message in a time when personal achievement seems to be the only criteria of success.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the collective responsibility of individuals to nurture and improve their community for future generations.
Wong Kar-Wai highlights the philosophy of martial artists who see their practice not merely as a pursuit of personal excellence but as a commitment to cultivating a broader community, akin to tending to a garden for the benefit of those who come after. In an era focused on individual achievement, this perspective is a reminder of the importance of legacy and communal growth, suggesting that true success is measured by the well-being we bring to society.
Themes
Martial ArtsGardeningLegacyCommunitySuccess
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about teamwork at a corporate meeting, referencing this quote could inspire employees to think beyond their personal achievements.
More from Wong Kar-Wai
All quotes →To make films, it always begins with two words: what and how. First of all, you have to find a story, or what are you going to tell? And you have to find a way to tell it visually.
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This is what the difference is between Hong Kong and Chinese cinema - Chinese cinema was made for their own communities. It was for propaganda. But Hong Kong made films to entertain, and they know how to communicate with international audiences.
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What makes international cinema so interesting is that each territory has its own sensibility. When you look at an Indian or French film, there's a certain flavor. And even though the language is different, if the film is successful, it has something very common and understandable.
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Sometimes, when you're on the streets, certain music inspires you, and then you have a vision. But, at the end of the day, it's a synthesis of visions, so you have to think, as a director, of a scene, or how to deliver a line, or how do this visually.
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My films are never about what Hong Kong is like, or anything approaching a realistic portrait, but what I think about Hong Kong and what I want it to be.
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