The Hand

Sunday, August 28 - Tuesday, September 20, 2022

DCP Projection

Like In the Mood for Love, THE HAND is set in the hazy Hong Kong of the 1960s, but its characters couldn’t be more different from the earlier film’s restrained, haunted lovers. Originally conceived for the omnibus film Eros, the film—presented in this retrospective for the first time in its extended cut—tells the tale of Zhang (Chang Chen), a shy tailor’s assistant enraptured by a mysterious client, Miss Hua (Gong Li). A hypnotic tale of obsession, repression, and class divisions, The Hand finds Wong Kar Wai continuing to transition from the frenetic, energized style of his earlier films into a register that is lush with romantic grandeur.

A Janus Films release.

Screening as part of our retrospective The World of Wong Kar Wai, from August 26 – September 15, 2022. Discounted ticket packs available in 3-packs ($42 for general, $30 for IFC Center Members) and 5-packs ($60 for general, $45 for IFC Center Members) here.

  • Running Time 56 minutes
  • Distributor Janus
  • Director Wong Kar Wai
  • Cast Chang Chen, Gong Li
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.