How far does the impact of the films you have studied for this topic depend on distinctive uses of film techniques?

The impact of Chungking Express relies heavily on the effectiveness of film techniques communicating the anticipation of the imminent social change to reflect what the residents of Hong Kong would soon be facing. This is evident in the scene where we see Faye cleaning 663's apartment, consequently instigating the needed change in his life, while simultaneously easing him into it. The mise-en-scene shows her pouring new fish into a previously dirty fish tank. This could be seen as her breathing new life into his world, after he's been living in an empty void since the last big change in his life- being left by his girlfriend. This can be viewed as a social comment; showing that although the people of Hong Kong may feel abandoned and wary after being deserted by Britain and handed back to China, all is not lost, as it could be a fresh start, with new hope and life. This is reinforced by the use of colour in the scene- as they are bright and vibrant which is a big contrast to the dull, low key lit apartment we saw 663 living in originally. The framing of the scene also implies that this new female in his life will soon become pivotal and vital, as a close up tracks backwards to reveal Faye in the centre of the camera, suggesting she is central to 663's new story. The use of a montage reinforces the importance of time and space; it's manipulation of time along with the fact that it confines the viewer to just one place forms the argument that change is inevitable, and that even if you try to keep everything the same, you can't escape the fact that adaptation is healthy and needed in order to keep up with a and live in the modern world.