“Both affairs actually start from the rice cooker, which was a new invention from Japan. Maggie’s husband bought her one. Tony then asked the husband to get one for his wife, because she was tired of being a housewife — she wanted to work, and the rice cooker would release her from the kitchen. When he buys her the rice cooker, that’s the beginning of their affair, which eventually kicks off the affair between Tony and Maggie.

To me, the rice cooker was the most important invention in Asia to help liberate women, because they no longer had to tend so much to the cooking. That and instant noodles completely changed the lifestyles of Asian people.”

～ from ～ Wong Kar-wai on 《In the Mood for Love》