Also up for auction on the first day is the leather jacket worn by late Hong Kong actor Leslie Cheung in the 1997 film Happy Together, which was groundbreaking for portrayal of a romance between two men. The jacket, which was designed by local costume designer William Chang Suk-ping, became almost iconic in its own right. “Ho Po-Wing [Cheung’s character] clutched his jacket to his chest, like he was warming himself in the cold night of the Argentinian winter. Behind the monitor, the shot looked like a solo tango. That night, his partner was the yellow jacket,” Wong explains. “I have always kept this yellow jacket, because it symbolises a memorable presence: tenderness, rebellion and solitude.” The jacket has been stored in the Jet Tone Archive for 25 years, and is in excellent condition.

More collectibles from the archive will be put up for auction on October 10. All 30 items have been chosen by Wong himself, and include props, costumes, posters and photographs, and come with a certificate signed by the director. “Most of these 30 collectible items have played a role in my films,” he says. “They symbolise the different stages of filmmaking from production to exhibition. This collection features the works of our long-time collaborators William Chang, Christopher Doyle and Wing Shya, along with artwork created by artists from different parts of the world.”

The event will also feature a dialogue session between Wong and other members of the filmmaking community. Details are yet to be released.

Find out more at www.sothebys.com/WongKarWai

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