John Woo: The FilmsFilm director John Woo achieved international recognition with such boldly crafted, symbolically textured action films as The Killer (1989) and Hard-Boiled (1992). With the recent American hits Broken Arrow (1996) and Face/Off (1997), Woo has become even more noted for his excitingly choreographed, highly kinetic action films. But the director s body of work transcends the action. Neither a superficial action director nor a tiresome moralizer, Woo has fashioned a surprisingly complex and articulated style, one that integrates his emphasis on ethical concerns and religious symbolism. This book analyzes the films and career of the director from his early days in Hong Kong to his current work in Hollywood. Individual chapters are devoted to his works. The book examines Woo as a cross-cultural film artist who draws upon both Asian and Western influences. His status as an action director, his influence on other filmmakers and his use of symbolic material are discussed. The author uses material from numerous and extensive interviews with Woo, and with past and present colleagues. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here." |
Contents
Acknowledgments | 1 |
Woo and the Asian and Western Traditions | 13 |
Influences Parallels | 33 |
Copyright | |
11 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action actors appears artistic arts associated battle becomes beginning Better Tomorrow brother Bullet camera certainly Chang character Chinese Chow comedy comic concerned course critics death direct director early effect elements especially example expressed face fact feel figures final forced friends Hard Boiled Hard Target Head heroes Hollywood Hong Kong important influence interest Jenny John Woo John's kill Killer kind Last later lead least less lives look loyalty March Mark means moral movie narrative noted November Once a Thief original perhaps personal interview played police present reference relationship respect role romantic samurai says scene script seems seen sense shooting shot shown shows Sidney similar star story style symbolism Tequila thing Tony tradition tries true understand usually viewer wanted Western Woo's films
References to this book
Speaking in Images: Interviews with Contemporary Chinese Filmmakers Michael Berry Limited preview - 2005 |