What’s ‘extended’ in new In the Mood for Love cinema special edition in 4K?

Wong Kar-wai’s 2000 masterpiece returns to Hong Kong cinemas this week for the film’s 25th anniversary with nine minutes of new footage

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Published: 6:45pm, 10 Apr 2025

One of the most celebrated cinematic love stories of all time, Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love returns to Hong Kong cinemas this week in recognition of the film’s 25th anniversary.

Presented in a brand new 4K restoration, this extended edition of the 2000 masterpiece boasts nine minutes of never-before-seen footage. It was previously screened in mainland China earlier this year to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

Widely regarded as a jewel in the crown of Hong Kong cinema, and Wong’s masterpiece, In the Mood for Love has endured rumour and scrutiny regarding different versions and deleted footage ever since it barely arrived in time for its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2000.

Set in Hong Kong in 1962, the film tells the story of two married neighbours – immortalised on-screen by Hong Kong cinema legends Maggie Cheung Man-yuk and Tony Leung Chiu-wai at the height of their powers – who are steadily drawn to one another after discovering that their spouses are having an affair.

Production took place across a gruelling 15-month shoot, during which time Wong accumulated hundreds of hours of footage, shot by cinematographers Christopher Doyle and Mark Lee Ping-bing.