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'The Crossing' Director John Woo is a Romantic Guy At Heart!

By InCinemas / 05 Dec 2014 (Friday)

You’ve heard his name and have probably loved his films. World-renowned auteur John Woo who is known for his chaotic action sequences in movies like Red Cliff, Mission Impossible II and Broken Arrow is actually a romantic guy at heart.

Woo, together with The Crossing cast members Zhang Ziyi, Tong Dawei and his daughter, Angeles Woo, were in Singapore to promote the movie and as part of the opening of the 25th Singapore International Film Festival.

(Find out more about The Crossing here!)

In the film, there is a scene that was inspired by Woo’s personal experience with his wife. “I loved to dance the Waltz when I was younger. I would bring her to the ball and we’ll twirl around the dance floor, like how Huang Xiao Ming and Song Hye Kyo did in the film,” he recalled with a laugh.

“When it comes to romance in my life, I’m actually pretty shy so I don't know how to express it. There was one time where I was on the way home from work, I picked a flower from the park and gave it to my wife…. I did more things when I was younger.”

Without giving too much, you will notice an evident shift of genre from his usual movies: from action to romance in The Crossing, which focuses mainly on the three love stories. The bulk of the epic drama will only be seen in the sequel, which will most likely to premiere in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2015.

For Zhang Ziyi, saying yes to this film wasn’t a hard decision for her, especially when it’s a chance to work with Woo.

“I read the script and was moved by the story and characters. There were no second thoughts when it came to director John Woo as many had always hoped to work with him,” the award-winning actress said.

When it came to preparing a role like Zhou Yun Fen in the movie, the veteran actress shared she the emotions should come ‘naturally’, and not through ‘homework’.

“I didn’t specially prepare for this role as I believe to produce something so natural on screen can’t be done just by doing research and homework… It’s an emotional presentation of one’s self and a lot comes with working on set; the chemistry with co-actors, the costume, makeup and the environment around you. There’s a kind of feeling that comes naturally from all these factors that surrounds it.”

Ms Zhang, that’s pure talent if you asked me.

The Crossing is now showing in IMAX and 2D in cinemas.

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'The Crossing' Director John Woo is a Romantic Guy At Heart!