Kwan renders the thirties in florid images and modern times in muted tones; his view of the shock of history feels all the more prescient in light of recent repressive changes in Hong Kong.

With its use of overlapping time, its sumptuous and humid colors, and occasional futzing with frame rates to create hyperreal motion, Rouge anticipates the work of Wong Kar-wai.

"Rouge" is one of the best movies ever to come out of Hong Kong, a triumph of style and drama, and a must-watch for every fan of cinema.

This is a visually appealing Hong Kong ghost story film, that is highly stylized, told from the perspective of a courtesan, Anita Mui (Fleur).