From ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ to ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, these movies are etched in our minds as much for their couples as for their storylines
Love is in the air this month, but it’s almost always on the silver screen. And the magnetic pull these love stories have on us is largely due the chemistry of their lead couples, who not only woo each other on-screen but also woos the viewers, with their performance, charisma, and of course, effortless style.
When thinking about stylish Asian couples on-screen, perhaps Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love, starring legends Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung, is the first that pops into your head. As iconic as this film is, it is far from being the only film with a couple that stands out for their style as much as for their love. Here are five films starring Asian leads whose fashion statements have stayed with us just as much as their stories.
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1. Fleur and Chan in ‘Rouge’ (1987)
Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung play doomed lovers Fleur and Chan in Stanley Kwan’s ghostly romance, Rouge. The split narrative juxtaposes 1930s and 1980s Hong Kong, and its period-specific costumes helped the film bag Best Costume Design Award at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Film Festival in 1987. Mui’s traditional cheongsams and Cheung’s Tang suits not only speak to the era they are from, but the vastly different designs also represent the disconnect between the two. Mui’s outfits also reflect her character’s journey as it moves between vibrant florals when she is sought after and more subdued colours when she faces rejection.
Read more: Anita Mui’s Most Iconic Films: from ‘Rouge’ to ‘Justice, My Foot!’