Because he was well acquainted with the producer , Alan Tang , Wong was given considerable freedom in the making of '' As Tears Go By '' . His cast included what he considered some of " the hottest young idols in Hong Kong " : singer Andy Lau , Maggie Cheung , and Jacky Cheung . '' As Tears Go By '' was released in June 1988 and was popular with audiences . It was also a critical success , as several journalists named Wong among the " Hong Kong New Wave " . While it was a conventional crime film , critic David Bordwell said that Wong " stood out from his peers by abandoning the kinetics of comedies and action movies in favour of more liquid atmospherics . " '' As Tears Go By '' received no attention from Western critics upon its initial release , but was selected to be screened during Directors ' Fortnight of the 1989 Cannes Film Festival
1989 Cannes Film Festival
1989 Cannes Film Festival
Wong Kar-wai