The decade before he became a celebrated auteur, Wong Kar-wai worked on a soap opera. In 1981, after climbing the ranks to production assistant, Wai quit the soap to pursue filmmaking. His directorial debut—As Tears Go By, a 1988 crime thriller set in a neon-lit Hong Kong—was a hit that launched his film career. Seven of Wai’s 10 films are playing throughout September in Los Angeles (on the east side at Los Feliz Theatre and on the west side at the Aero Theatre). Featuring new restorations by Janus Films, the retrospective includes Wai’s debut; his 1994 international breakthrough, Chungking Express; and his “Love Trilogy.” Although his films range from tragic comedies to blood-soaked thrillers, all incorporate a recognizable style—lush lighting, saturated colors, and nonlinear narratives. —J.D.