February: Valentine’s Day – In the Mood for Love

Falling in Love with Global Cinema

February is the perfect time to celebrate love, and what better way than through the magic of cinema? Our featured film, In the Mood for Love, we’re diving into a story of passion, longing, and romance.

You notice things if you pay attention. 💕

Set in 1960s Hong Kong, this timeless masterpiece captures the bittersweet beauty of unspoken love. With stunning cinematography and unforgettable performances, it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves romance in its most poetic form.

• Christianisation of Lupercalia (5th Century CE)

  • By the late Roman Empire, Christianity was growing in influence, and pagan celebrations were often replaced with Christian observances.
  • In 496 CE, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day, replacing Lupercalia and aligning the date with Christian values.
  • Valentine’s Day, however, remained a minor religious celebration for centuries, with little connection to romantic love.
• The Middle Ages: Courtly Love and Poetry (14th–15th Century)

  • The association between Valentine’s Day and romance blossomed during the Middle Ages, particularly in England and France.
  • Chaucer’s Influence:
    • The first recorded connection between Valentine’s Day and romantic love appeared in Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem Parliament of Fowls (1382).
    • Chaucer wrote: “For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.”
    • This poem linked the feast day of St. Valentine with birds’ mating season, popularising the idea of romantic unions.
  • Valentine Letters:
    • By the 15th century, it became customary to write love notes or poems to one’s beloved on Valentine’s Day. The oldest known Valentine was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415.
• The Rise of Valentine Traditions (18th–19th Century)

  • Industrialisation of Love:
    • By the 18th century, Valentine’s Day became popular in England as a day for expressing love through gifts like flowers, sweets, and handwritten cards.
    • The 19th century saw the mass production of Valentine’s cards, thanks to advances in printing technology.
    • Esther Howland, an American entrepreneur, is credited with popularising Valentine’s Day cards in the United States during the 1840s.
  • Cupid and Symbols of Love:
    • Valentine’s Day adopted symbols like Cupid, the Roman god of love, as well as hearts, roses, and doves—all associated with romance and passion.
• Modern Valentine’s Day (20th–21st Century)

  • Valentine’s Day evolved into a global celebration of love, with cultural variations around the world:
    • Japan: Women give chocolates to men, and men reciprocate a month later on White Day.
    • Finland: Valentine’s Day is called “Friend’s Day” and focuses on platonic love.
    • United States and UK: The day is heavily commercialised, with billions spent annually on flowers, cards, and jewellery.
  • Criticism:
    • Some critics view Valentine’s Day as overly commercialised, while others appreciate it as an opportunity to celebrate love and connection.

Valentine’s Day has transformed over centuries, blending pagan rituals, Christian traditions, and modern consumerism. Whether you celebrate it with grand gestures or simple acts of love, the day remains a reminder of humanity’s enduring desire to connect and cherish one another.

Be sure to check out our full review of In the Mood for Love and join the conversation!

What’s your favourite romantic film from around the world?

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