"Happy Together" explores the complex relationship between people and politics

"Happy Together" explores the complex relationship between people and politics. 

Wong Kar-wai's films typically conjure up themes of chaos, love, or loneliness. This feeling is referred to as "Wong" by fans of Wong Kar-wai's films. But more than Wong, Wong

Kar-wai's films—especially timeless ones like "Happy Together"—smoothly blend political, social, or economic concerns with unexpected romances.

Happy Together is the story of a gay couple from Hong Kong named Lai Yue-fa (played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and Ho Po-weang (played by Leslie Cheung). They both have the same dream of visiting Argentina's Iguazu Falls together. But there are challenges along the way that have an impact on their relationship: many times, money, loneliness, passion, and disappointment. Nevertheless, the two manage to keep their love going until Zhang Zhen's character, Ah Zhen, comes into Lai Yue Fa's life.

China, Taiwan, and Argentina before 1997

At that time These countries are not related. why did Wong Kar-wai decide to include their locales and imagery in the script?

Argentina and the UK had been at odds over the Falkland Islands' ownership for more than 200 years before 1997. A conflict over the Falkland Islands began in April 1982 and lasted for nearly ten weeks. Argentina ultimately lost the war and was forced to cede the Falkland Islands to the United Kingdom. The 'Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom' is the current name for the islands.

Because of this, Argentines have a wound from the UK in addition to the ultra-liberal society of Peronism, where the government serves the interests of all social classes, particularly the lower classes, and improves the quality of life for everyone.

In September 1982, the People's Republic of China negotiated a 99-year lease on Hong Kong Island before 1997. Hong Kong Island was extended the duration of British Colonial lease was later extended for an additional 50 years. In June 1984, the Chinese government came up with a solution called the "one country, two systems" system, which is based on the one-China principle and grants administrative autonomy to Hong Kong until July 1, 1997, when it became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Due to the influence of both China and Britain, Hong Kong residents' status under the 99-year lease was identical to that of second-class citizens who were continuously being exploited by both nations. Nonetheless, Hong Kong residents always felt excluded since their race was not exclusively British and their culture was not exclusively Chinese.

Wong Kar-wai decided to use Argentina, which had sexual freedom and historical glory that could not be restored from the Falkland Islands, to play the political card by bargaining with England, despite Argentina and China being on opposite sides of the globe.

Taiwan had its own constitution and military, but before 1997, China viewed it as merely an independent territory. Additionally, there was the significant event of 228 in 1947, which was a rebellion against the Kuomintang government that mercilessly suppressed the populace and led to the imposition of martial law, sometimes known as the "White Terror," which lasted for 38 years.

Taiwan had to deal with fear and the repression of information that the government group perceived as a threat to national security before they obtained independence and dared to defend themselves. Of course, outsiders may not be aware of this narrative at all if they have a cursory view of this nation.

At that time, LGBTQ+ couples' relationships, which still had "otherness" since they were not acknowledged by society, mirrored the ambiguity and unclearness of the global political environment. The main characters, such as Lai Yue-fa, a Hong Konger heavily influenced by Chinese culture, and Ho Po-weang, a Hong Konger influenced by England, have conflicts and represent Hong Kong's excess in the political and cultural context of the time. Ah Zhen, on the other hand, is like Taiwan: independent, respectable, and willing to stand up for their rights.

Happy Together has two intriguing sequences with hidden symbols.

The two main characters' dance scene turned into a unifying factor that caused the lustful, painful, and gaping relationship to all wider and wider. The relationship between Hong Kong and England is similar ways  , it always "asks for a new start" during negotiations and, no matter what, cannot go back to the past. However, whether it must reconnect with China is still up in the air. As a result, the poster's phrase, "A Story About Reunion," accurately describes this circumstance.

Regarding the scene at Iwasu Falls where Ho Po Weng hands Lai Yue Fa a lantern, it is dark and less lovely than the two individuals had imagined, rather than having a lovely, dreamy, and natural mood with instinctual violence. It is comparable to Taiwan's courage in defending its independence and Hong Kong's aspirations for freedom recognized by China and England. 

From 1997 to the present, Argentina, China, and Taiwan

Argentina has been dealing with ongoing inflation since 1997. Due to the worst recession in 2001–2002, Peronism has further resurfaced in Argentina. Argentina's inflation rate reached 100% in 2023.

Since 1997, the People's Republic of China has frequently put pressure on Taiwan to join China under Xi Jinping's One China policy, but Taiwan has resisted and maintained its independence.

However, the situation in Hong Kong is more volatile now than it was before 1997. Massive protests in Hong Kong in 2014 led to the emigration of Hong Kong's middle class from China. After a special law was passed in 2020, people's livelihoods drastically declined. And who can predict what the future holds between now and 2046?