JOHN WOO STEPS INTO THE ROOM… ALONG WITH THE FILM’S STAR, ADAM BEACH . AGAIN, NIC CAGE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND… ALTHOUGH MANY SAW HIM IN THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ELAVATOR WITH WHAT LOOKED LIKE THE SECRET SERVICE.

JOHN SMILES, SHAKES MY HAND, AND I BOW TO HIM. NOT IN THE WORSHIP FASHION FROM WAYNE’S WORLD, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN WELL DESERVED, BUT IN THE TRADITIONAL FASHION I LEARNED FROM KUNG FU. THIS, TO MY HONOR, MAKES HIM SMILE A BIT MORE.

ADAM BEACH WALKS IN AND SHAKES MY HAND AS WELL. HE’S YOUNGER THAN THE REST OF THE CAST, YET HE’S BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR 10 YEARS, WORKING IN SMALL PARTS HERE AND THERE UNTIL THE CRITIC HIT SMOKING SIGNALS.

HE’S VERY HOLLYWOOD…YET HUMBLE AND KIND. WHEN JOHN SPEAKS, HE LISTENS… SMILING. LIKE THE REST OF THE CAST, EVERYONE IS IN AWE OF WOO. NOT FROM HIS FILMS, BUT FROM HIS GENTLE, KIND SPIRIT. SOUNDS CHEESY, BUT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND UNTIL YOU SIT DOWN WITH HIM AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

THE UNEDUCATED QUESTION

A journalist asks a question that I couldn’t believe. But Woo put him in his place.

Journalist: Mr. Woo, Windtalkers is a very American story. As an outsider, as an Asian director, what brought you to this story based in WWII?

THE NERVE OF THIS GUY.

Woo: Actually, I’m not an outsider.

(pause)

In Hong Kong, we always read of American stories and history. And I’ve learned so much from every movie I’ve made, so when I heard of this story… I’ll admit not knowing of the subject. I was very moved by the subject. They gave their hearts to the country. Their story should be told. My movies are always about friendship… and I saw that this movie could be universal because of friendship. It was quite a challenge… but I like challenge.

WHY THIS STORY TODAY?

Ken: Why do you feel it needs to be told today?

Woo: I thought that the Navajo people, especially the code talkers were so amazing. They helped win the war. I was so amazed that no one knew about it. They were helping the marines and they really won the war. I’m an American citizen now. I have the duty to tell the story as an American. (Laughs)

People should know about this story.

Ken: Is that why you are going to make a western… to tell the American story?

Woo: It’s one of my dreams to make a western… it’s for fun too. The guns (laughter). The pioneer spirit. It’s a love story too. Like a Romeo and Juliet. Family against family. It’s a very romantic love story. Which I’ve never done before.

FAVORITE WESTERNS

Woo: The Seachers. The Wild Bunch . John Ford films.

Adam: The Three Amigos ?

John laughs hard!

YET ANOTHER UNEDUCATED QUESTION

Journalist: Did you have a particular actor you worked with in Hong Kong?

Everyone is stunned.

Woo: Chow Yun Fat. He’s in most of my Hong Kong films. He’s in the western too. Drama. Just a little action in this one.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BIRDS

Ken: Do you find it hard to put your said Woo-isms into your films. Say… the birds?

Woo: We only used one seagull in this one. We weren’t going to but I saw two seagulls fighting… and I said, “We have to film those… we could use it!”

Ken: What is the significance of the doves in your films… from your perspective.

Woo: I love doves. I was a hippy in the 70s. They represent spirits and love. Beauty and innocence. It’s a good message. In the 70s I had long hair and was a hippy. Peace.


A JOHN WOO MUSICAL?

Woo: I’m working on one… I was supposed to direct Chicago. But I was too late because I signed onto Mission Impossible. So now they used someone else. I was thinking of making Phantom of the Opera as an action musical.

ADAM BEACH TALKS HORROR

Ken: Adam, this is really a star-making role for you, excuse the term, that’s going to give you a lot of opportunities. Anything specific you’d like to do?

Adam: I still very much would like to do a horror film. I love scaring people. There’s been a lot of horror films now… some good, some not. And now they’re all pretty flaky. I think I’d like to see something good come from that.

WHAT’S NEXT

Adam: Just finished wrapping Skin Walkers… based on the novels. The Navajo. The Big Empty .

Ken: Do you think it’s hard finding parts being Native-American?

Adam: I never thought of my career that way. I just try to do the best I can.

Woo: I want to film in other countries. I want to learn more about different cultures. Only Hollywood movies can do that. I do wish I could make a movie in China… not Hong Kong… but the Chinese country.

I’m working on a project with Tom Cruise called the Devil’s Soldiers , about a 19th century soldier who fought with the Chinese rebels and fell in love with a Chinese girl.

Alas, the day is over. John’s reps walk in… they need him and Adam upstairs for interviews. John ignores her, and walks around the room shaking our hands. I bow once again, and he smiles and shakes my hand again. He stays for a few more minutes, wanting to talk even more. I ask if he can sign my press book, he does so WITHOUT hesitation and with a smile. I NEVER ASK FOR AUTOGRAPHS… why now?

I think to myself and realize that I’m never star struck anymore. Never really have been… which is a good thing for me. I’m used to seeing Dustin Hoffmans, Val Kilmers, etc. Seeing these actors that were on the screen the night before is nothing new… living in Los Angeles. But what was strange was that I felt surreal. The agents, managers, etc. surrounding the talent after the roundtables. Standing in the elevator with Christian Slater, bombarded by his reps telling him what’s next.

It’s not me being star struck… it’s an intoxication, seeing a side of the business I’m not used to but have always wanted to be a part of. Being the center of attention. Being a part of something so big that total strangers are willing to record every word I say. I’m not looking for fame. I’m looking to be a part of something that can affect so many lives.

This intoxication draws the question: Would you really want to be a part of that? Could you handle it? I can see where some of the actors have let it go to their heads. And then some are just used to it…like Christian. What I saw was a bunch of ordinary people stuck in an extraordinary situation. So, could I handle it? Would I want to be a part of something like that?

You bet your ass I would!

Ken Miyamoto