Hollywood movie-maker John Woo yesterday spoke of his sadness over the death of the Hong Kong director who was his mentor.
Woo paid tribute to Chang Cheh, 79, who died on Friday, after he arrived in town with star Nicolas Cage to promote their new film, Windtalkers.
Woo said he had planned to visit Chang after arriving in Hong Kong on Sunday, and was devastated to be told of his death by reporters after landing at Chek Lap Kok. 'I am full of mixed emotions today . . . I had written to him about my new film. He had a lot of influence on my work. There are traces of his impact in Windtalkers, which is about loyalty and faith,' Woo said.
Once an assistant to Chang, who received a lifetime achievement award at the Hong Kong Film Awards in April, Woo said the veteran director had taught him never to forget his identity as a Chinese person and to retain his own style.
Cage, who plays an officer in Windtalkers, a World War II action drama, said he was impressed by Woo's way of portraying heroes. 'I think that in a lot of John's films, the hero is not afraid to show his emotions. Some of the American heroes seem unrealistic and too perfect. They are always smiling and winking,' he said.
Despite reports that Woo was a tough director, Cage said he had a good time working on a second film with him, following the blockbuster Face Off in 1997.