The Film “In the Mood for Love”

The Film “In the Mood for Love”

In the film “In the Mood for Love,” the two characters Chow Mo-wan, a journalist, and Su Li-zhen, a secretary portrays their repressed desire for each other through subtle gestures and unspoken emotions. They often find themselves alone, engaging in daily routines like eating and sleeping, but their solitude becomes a canvas for a deeper connection they cannot fully express. Wong Kar-Wai (the director) making Chow whispering into a hole rather than speaking to the audience signified a stylistic choice that symbolizes the burden of carrying unspoken emotions and secrets within oneself. It leaves the audience to contemplate the weight of repressed desires and the silent turmoil of unfulfilled love, resonating long after the film concludes. 

Chow Mo-wan is a journalist, portrayed as reserved, introspective, and sophisticated (In the mood for love 2000). He exudes a sense of melancholy due to his unfulfilled desires and his marriage falling apart due to his wife's infidelity. 

On the other hand, Su Li-zhen is a secretary and a woman of grace and elegance. She exudes an air of quiet strength, masking her inner vulnerability caused by her husband's affair. Their relationship is one of unspoken understanding and repressed desire. They become more confidantes as they investigate their spouses' infidelity, developing a closeness that goes beyond friendship. The complexity of human emotions and the complications of unfulfilled love are highlighted in their encounters by meaningful glances, shared moments of silence, and a palpable tension that lingers in the air (In the mood for love, 2000). The confined and constrained nature of Chow and Su's lives is symbolized by the narrow stairway. The narrow stairway is a metaphor for the limitations placed on people by society, their own restraints, and their anxiety about stepping over the line into an affair. The diner represents a place of revelation and shattered illusions for both Chow and Su. It is where they accidentally discover the truth about their unfaithful spouses, leading to a profound sense of betrayal and heartbreak. Angkor Wat symbolizes a pilgrimage and a search for spiritual solace amidst turmoil. For Chow, it becomes a place of reflection and healing after the emotional upheaval he experiences with Su.

Reading: “Therapists and Patients Find Common Ground: Virus-Fueled Anxiety” 

In places such as New York City, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a myriad of mental health problems among individuals, particularly in places like New York City. The recurring fear of the virus, coupled with social isolation, loss of jobs, and the grief of losing loved ones, has led to heightened anxiety, stress, and trauma (Nir, 2020). Mental health professionals themselves have been overwhelmed by the emotional toll of absorbing their clients' worries and confronting their own anxieties. Most individuals seeking therapy are facing profound mental health crises, and some have had to be hospitalized for their safety. However, there have also been instances of deeper therapeutic work and newfound resilience in the face of adversity. 

Word-of-the-Week: Repression 

The word "repression" has its origins in the Latin term "reprimere," where "re-" means "back" or "again," and "primere" means "to press." In its original sense, "repression" referred to the act of pressing back, checking, or restraining something. “The repression of disorders, and the punishment of crimes.” G. Stuart, Hist. Establishm. Reformation Relig. in Scotland This quotation is interesting since it illustrates how repression can be a natural psychological defense mechanism that individuals employ to protect themselves from overwhelming emotional experiences.  

References

IMDb.com. (2001, September 29). In the mood for love. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118694/ 

Nir, S. M. (2020, May 3). Therapists and patients find common ground: Virus-fueled anxiety. 

The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/03/nyregion/coronavirus-therapy-nyc.html