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John Woo says Hollywood movies are ‘caught up’

With his latest film, Silent Night, his Hollywood debut in 20 years, director John Woo stated that working in Hollywood is “set” in a recent interview.

Silent Night has already been anticipated by John Woo fans, with early reactions to the film already proving to divide opinion.

The film’s official synopsis reads: “On Christmas Eve, a man witnesses the death of his young son when the boy is caught in the crossfire of warring gangs. Recovering from a wound that cost him his voice, he soon embarks on a bloody and grueling quest to punish those responsible.”

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In a recent interview, director John Woo spoke about the differences between Hong Kong and Hollywood productions, noting that the latter is often more “controlled.”

John Woo says he’s “caught up” in Hollywood in a new interview

In a new interview with Letterboxd, Silent Night director John Woo states that American action is often “policed” when describing the effects of his actions.

“In Hong Kong, there are not a lot of rules,” Wu noted. “You can do whatever you want. So all the explosions and everything are very big, you know, very dangerous, and we shot the whole thing without using CGI.”

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“But in America, everything has to be controlled and everything has to be very careful to implement.”

The director is known for producing Hollywood blockbusters including Face/Off and Mission: Impossible 2 as well as overseeing hit Hong Kong films such as A Better Tomorrow.

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Wu went on to explain that in Silent Night, he “created the story of the murder of an innocent child by a gangster.” “So it’s very dangerous, you know,” the director explained. “The action cannot be too fanciful or exaggerated – it has to feel more realistic.”

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“That’s why the events in Silent Night feel so real, it feels like a real battle.”

John Woo’s unexpected action movie inspiration

John Woo also explained that the action sequences in his previous films were inspired by unexpected places, including old Hollywood musicals.

“I was so crazy about musicals,” Wu said of his youth. “I learned a lot and got a lot of inspiration from the musical. So when I choreograph an action sequence, I feel like I’m creating a dance scene.

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“I love dancing. I love the beauty of body movement. And I love rhythm.”

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