AFTER four years of planning, acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai is finally ready to begin work on his new film “Blossoms,” a follow-up to two of his earlier romantic dramas, “In the Mood for Love” (2000) and “2046” (2004).

While being awarded by the Hong Kong Film Writers Association this week, the director confirmed to reporters that the film could begin production as early as the end of this year, reported Ming Pao Daily News.

No actors have been cast for the film so far. Wong emphasized that actors need to be able to speak Shanghainese. The comment was made after Wong was asked whether he would invite Tony Leung Chiu-wai to return for a role in the film. Leung played the lead role in both of the earlier films.

Based on Jin Yucheng’s 2013 novel of the same name, “Blossoms” follows three Shanghai residents from the early 60s, at the end of China’s Cultural Revolution and through the 90s, with a selection of scenes being shot in San Francisco.

While Wong has referenced the work since as early as 2015, this is the first time he has positioned it as part of a trilogy along with “In the Mood for Love” and “2046.” “I’m from Shanghai, and I’ve never filmed in Shanghai, so I wanted to give it a try,” he said. (SD-Agencies)