Neither of them ever finds out how it began, but Mr Chow and Mrs Chan discover that their respective spouses are having an affair. The discovery shocks both of them. Chow, feeling hurt and wishing to understand how the affair happened, begins finding excuses to spend time with Mrs Chan. They begin rehearsing what they will say to their spouses when they confront them with what they know. Then Mr Chow invites Mrs Chan to help him with a martial-arts series that he is writing for the newspaper. Their meetings are discreet, but people begin to notice. There seems no possibility that they, too, will drift into an affair. But Mrs Chan's emotional reticence begins to haunt Mr Chow and he finds his feelings changing. It's almost like being in love.

Four years later, as a Singapore-based reporter covering General De Gaulle's visit to Cambodia, Chow Mo-wan finds himself remembering an old story about a way of unburdening yourself of a secret you don't want anyone to know.

Directed by Wong Kar-Wai. Casts include Tony Leung & Maggie Cheung.
AWARDS:
 •Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor - Tony Leung Chiu Wai
 •Cannes Film Festival - Technical Grand Prize

NOMINATED:
 •Cannes Film Festival - Golden Palm Award - Wong Kar Wai