Self study movie: 2046 pt.2 (translated)

2046 (2005, Wong Kar Wai)
Focusing on the importance of self memory leads you to the mindset of 2046. For many people, the meaning 2046 would be living in their ideal memories (which in other words, living in their ideal world, where nothing changes, every great things remain there). Though this world of happiness (2046) might not be realistic, but it is sure what they’ve been dreaming for.

So the easy way to define 2046 would be “the pursuit of the lost sweet memories”
All of Wong Ka Wai’s film would be a completion of 2046, if (that’s a big IF) the movies he made is somewhat representing his mind set, then Chow in 2046 might be Wong’s monologue.
The tenant who once lived in the room 2046 represents people who have been involved in Chow’s memory.

Mimi/ Lulu (Carina Lau) is the first person who appeared in the room 2046 in the film. Applying the phase “Memory is actually an uncountable amount of ripples created by a single drop of water”, Mimi would be the drop of water. Though she might not be well related to the story itself, it is also her existence to let Chow encounters this familiar number once again.
Then comes the ripples of Chow’s memory to 2046 as a spectator (a tenant in 2047).
I’ve been exploring the relationship between 2046 and 2047 lately; I wonder why instead of putting Chow in room 2046, Wong needs to put him in 2047 as a spectator to 2046. After watching the movie several times, I developed my own insights on this matter.

When Chow wanted to rent the room 2046, the landlord of the motel said to him that he can’t move in to room 2046 yet since “it is renovating” (the truth is that Mimi were stabbed by her boyfriend the other day and it needs time to clean up the messy room with blood). Due to this reason, room 2046 is “unavailable at the moment”.

Applying the mindset of the film, room 2046 is actually a symbol of Chow’s “lost sweet memory”, and through living in the room, 2046, he wishes to pursuit some long lost emotions deep inside his heart once again, something that he had left behind for long- TRUE LOVE.

But sadly, just as he wants to pursuit this lost memory again, the status of this memory is currently under construction and is “unavailable at the moment”.

You may argue with me that we don’t actually have to be in the memory in order to recall it, and yes I agree with you, but what Chow is up to is something different and it is hidden.

There’s only one answer for Chow’s strong desire to live in room 2046 which is
Not only that he wants to recall 2046, but to experience the 2046 once again.
When the landlord asks Chao why would he pick the room 2046 specifically, he also admits that it is because of the room number.

But when the landlord asks if the number has any significance meaning, he replies

"I was just joking."








This statement is actually directed to Chow himself, perhaps he understands it is simply impossible to relive his 2046. That reminds me of a Chinese metaphor
The flower still grows and remains while the faces of people are never the same (taken from Ashes of Time)
So Chow finally decided to be in room 2047 and be a spectator of room 2046.
Even though it is sad when you figure you’ve lost something you can’t have again, being a spectator of this memory is also a joyous thing to do.