Criterion Channel to host U.S. premiere of Wong Kar Wai's first-ever TV series, Blossoms Shanghai

Adapted from Jin Yucheng’s 2013 novel Blossoms, the show follows the “ascent of self-made millionaire Ah Bao, the Jay Gatsby of Shanghai, during the economic boom that followed the opening of the Shanghai stock exchange,” per Criterion’s synopsis. It continues: “The major Chinese actor Hu Ge stars as Bao, personifying the idealism and adventurism that defined the 1990s. While In The Mood For Love pays tribute to the Shanghainese community in Hong Kong, Blossoms Shanghai is Wong Kar Wai’s first attempt to tell a story about his birthplace, at one of the most intriguing moments in its recent memory.”

In a statement, Wong lauded his “long-standing relationship with Criterion,” which released a comprehensive “World of Wong Kar Wai” box set in 2021. “The series captures the vitality of Shanghai’s roaring 90s, revealing universal human truths about desire and destiny,” he continued. “We hope the series provides insight into the pivotal moment of China’s reinvention.”

If you want to go deeper into Wong’s filmography without shelling out $160 for the box set, his seminal film In The Mood For Love is returning to theaters in honor of its 25th anniversary. Screenings begin June 27 in New York, before rolling out nationwide later this summer.