**Wong Kar-wai** (Hong Kong, 1958) is an acclaimed film director, screenwriter, and producer, among the most influential figures in contemporary cinema. He is renowned for his distinctive visual style and melancholic atmospheres, which explore themes of love, loneliness, memory, and the passage of time.

His films are characterized by non-linear storytelling, evocative use of color, slow motion, evocative music, and a strong emphasis on Hong Kong's urban aesthetic. Among his most iconic works are:
* **Chungking Express** (1994), which brought him international acclaim.
* **Happy Together** (1997), for which he won the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
* **In the Mood for Love** (2000), often cited as one of the greatest films of the 21st century, the epitome of his style.
* **2046** (2004), a spiritual sequel to the latter.

Wong Kar-wai has created an unmistakable cinematic universe, influencing generations of filmmakers with his visual poetry and emotional depth.