'' As Tears Go By '' is a 1988 Hong Kong action drama film that was the directorial debut of Wong Kar-wai and starred Andy Lau , Maggie Cheung and Jacky Cheung . Critics have compared the film to Martin Scorsese 's '' Mean Streets '' , as the central plot revolves around a small-time triad ( Lau ) trying to keep his friend ( Cheung ) out of trouble . The film was also screened at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival , during Directors ' Fortnight
1989 Cannes Film Festival
1989 Cannes Film Festival
As Tears Go By (film)