John Woo Explains Why He Went for More Realistic Action in Silent Night

A legendary team-up for fans of the action genre, John Woo returns to the director's chair with the producers of John Wick to helm Silent Night. Starring Joel Kinnaman as the film's voiceless protagonist, this holiday thriller is a nearly two-hour feature with zero dialogue and tough fight sequences punctuated by a "meaningful story," that captured the director's attention after a six-year hiatus.
Prior to working with some of Hollywood's greats in films like Face/Off and the Mission: Impossible franchise, Woo established himself as a pioneer of action with his eye for stylized fights, the use of slow motion, and other elements of the genre that have since influenced other great filmmakers. He honed his craft with the use of multiple cameras and nailed down his aesthetic, but with Silent Night, Woo returns with something different.
Speaking with Collider's Steve Weintraub, the director explains what it was about the script for Silent Night that first drew him to the project, why it was a new challenge for him as a filmmaker, and what he hopes audiences feel when they watch the movie. Woo breaks down his new approach to the action sequences, how it's different from his previous films, and what it was like working with the stuntmen and Kinnaman. Watch the video above or read the full transcript below to also find out why we may not ever be getting 4K releases for films like A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, or Hard Boiled.
#JohnWoo #SilentNight #HardBoiled
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[@ethanholgate2512]

John woo is a legend a true action auteur

[@thecunninlynguist]

Face/off is a GOAt 90's action movie contender. Looking forward to this

[@RAZNJ]

Just saw the movie..Even though there is no talking, you feel the characters emotions and the music . It was very captivating as well as the action was amazing.. Bravo to the Director and the actors ..

[@Amadeus_Eisenberg]

More realistic action is the last thing an action movie needs today. Classic John Woo action would be the perfect thing in today's film world. Just what an action movie needs today.

[@antoniobronx4955]

I’m a Puerto Rican from Brooklyn and I remember in the 90s going to Chinatown with my Brother in Law from Hong Kong to see Hard Boiled after reading about John Woo in the Village Voice. It was showing in this one little grungy theater but what a gargantuan cinematic experience. We now take all of that style and technique for granted and we have all seen it a thousand times in a thousand action movies but I had never seen anything like it at that time. Action as art. Probably the closest experience was seeing the Wild Bunch as a teenager. Action directors today are copying directors who copied John Woo.

[@szewei85]

haha latino and chinese we are the same when it comes 2 kungfu and gunfu hahahaha

[@shanepithwa8489]

Shame about no 4K of Hard Boiled or The Killer 😢

[@al28854]

it's been way too long Mr. Woo, but now is the time and you've grace us with your Xmas gift ..... the honor is ours sir. 🧨✨✨🎄🎇

[@BrimsHL]

A great man.

[@mg523712]

Hard Target with Jean Claude Van Damme!!! John Wick before John Wick!!

[@doublep1980]

Dude, Hard Boiled enuff said.

[@cheetaih]

Don't forget one of Woo's favourite actor Chow, Yun-fat!

[@szewei85]

they should collab 1 final time along with regular like waise lee and tony leung and jackie cheung hahahaha

[@antoniogarciarodriguez5741]

Hola🇪🇦J. WOO The Fucking MASTER ACTION MOVIES

[@popo-yq5je]

John Woo King Of Gun Fu... Yeaahh...

[@fahedabdullah789]

The man the legend John woo

[@peterlai6503]

His movie always great with action !

[@sunti78990]

John woo the legend of Hong Kong and USA 👍👍👍👍👍

[@michaello317]

Sorry mr Wioo Silent night is not type movie I will watch every time , I know it a challenge script it not easy I do admire your old action movies

[@MentalDeviant]

Face of is coming to 4k.

[@szewei85]

haha stair case scene like the max payne level hahahaha forgot which chapter though probably the finale in that office building

[@VariTimo]

Aehhhrrrrrerrreehh!!

[@ps5andstuffhere]

🔫🔫

[@orionfenerty3874]

This movie sucked.

[@luomodagliocchidifalco9421]

No, it’s just average.

[@ps5andstuffhere]

Good and different film

[@Scott-jw4zq]

Saw it for a third time last night. Loved it.

[@YorgosL1]

No

[@szewei85]

haha i liked they take on silent movie era mixed with hardcore action hahahaha