A Q&A with legendary Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo, whose new movie "Red Cliff," his take on a historic Chinese battle, is being released Wednesday, Nov. 25.
There is one name synonymous with Hong Kong action flicks — John Woo.
His beautifully choreographed fights are iconic, eliciting copycats and fans all around the world. And Woo crossed over, directing such blockbusters as “Mission Impossible II” and “Face/Off.”
It’s been six years since the 61-year-old made an American movie — “Paycheck” with Ben Affleck. But Wednesday, Woo is releasing his take on the classic Chinese story of the Three Kingdoms, called “Red Cliff.” It’s like a historical mash-up of “300” and “Helen of Troy.”
The film is a fusion of the highly successful two-part movie released in Asia. The first part earned more than $124 million.
Most Read Entertainment Stories
Woo talked by phone from San Francisco about directing, fights and musicals.
Q: Why translate this classic story?
A: I grew up with this story. … I’ve wanted to make this movie for 20 years, but … we didn’t have the budget or the technology. … This is like a dream come true.
Q: Why this part of history?
A: The battle of Red Cliff was one of the most famous battles in Chinese history. … It shows how a much smaller army can defeat a large, more powerful enemy, through a combination of teamwork, innovation, intelligence and courage.
Q: How did you make this story your own?
A: I wanted to make the heroes more human, rather than superheroes. … I increased the female roles. … I wanted to show that the classical woman was known for their beauty, but they also had a very strong personality. … Just like women nowadays today, very brave, independent, very intelligent, sometimes they do even a better job than a man.
Q: How did you tailor the film for U.S. audiences?
A: I never thought of using a different approach for American audiences. I was just trying to keep as much as I could. I cut some of the side character roles and tried to maintain it as one story line and focus on the key characters.
Q: What do the white doves in your movies symbolize?
A: The white doves represent peace, love, innocence and purity. … It became one of my styles. If I don’t use it, I’m afraid my fans will think something is missing.
Q: Your fights look like dances. Is that a conscious move?
A: I have so much influence from musicals. When I’m choreographing a fighting sequence, I feel like I’m designing a dancing scene. I shoot the scene with music.
Q: What kind of music?
A: For big scenes in “Red Cliff,” I will listen to some symphony, classical music.
Q: You broke a lot of barriers. Do you find it easier now?
A: Yes, it is a lot easier now. … We can learn from each other. In China, … the film business is booming and growing fast. The government is more open. … From now on, the Chinese, Americans and even Europeans will have a lot more co-productions.
Q: How do you feel about copycats?
A: I just feel like I have so many friends and we are living in a big family and studying in the same school. Actually we are learning from each other. In the old times, I also learned from filmmakers and I used their techniques to develop my own style.
Q: What’s next?
A: My next project is called “the Flying Tigers,” this story about the American volunteer team fighter pilots who worked with the Chinese Air Force in World War II, a true story. The main theme is the friendship between the Chinese and Americans.
Q: What inspires you to keep making movies?
A: I think it’s a good way of communicating with others, just like a writer using a pen. … I love friends, so when I’m making a movie, it’s like I’m writing a letter to my friends. And my friends is the audience.
Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com