Director Hou Hsiao-hsien and actress Shu Qi attend a news conference for the film "The Assassin" at the 68th Cannes Film Festival in this May 21, 2015 photo. (Photo : Reuters)
Renowned Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien has earned numerous international awards and recognitions in his career, but this time he is aiming for the Oscars with his latest martial arts movie, “The Assassin.”
Hou, who is currently on tour across the United States to promote the launch of his movie in the U.S., said that the slow burning pace of "The Assassin" may not find appeal with American audiences used to Hollywood movies with a strong narrative and high drama.
"I think they will probably fall asleep," he laughed. "I think people will probably have problems understanding what the movie is about."
Nonetheless, Hou said that the film, which bagged the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival, will certainly find a home with niche film fans.
Set in China's 9th-century Tang Dynasty, "The Assassin" centers on a trained female killer, played by Taiwanese actress Shu Qi, returning to her home town to assassinate its military governor, whom she also loves.
Hou said that if the film wins the Oscar at the 88th Academy Awards next year, it would certainly give it more visibility, especially in Europe where it has yet to be distributed.
"We know that an Oscar can have a very practical and significant influence on the rest of the world," he said, although noting that bagging the prestigious award may also give moviegoers "a certain anticipation" that would leave them disappointed once they see it in theaters.
"This is the kind of movie that requires a certain kind of focus, a certain kind of disposition to be fully appreciated. For better or for worse, it will be categorized as an art film," he added.
The 68-year-old director, who is one of the leading figures in Taiwan's "New Wave" cinema and whose film credits include the acclaimed "A City of Sadness" and "The Puppetmaster," credited American films he saw while growing as inspiration.
"I remember seeing 'The Godfather' after I had read the novel. So Hollywood has been a powerful influence in many ways," he said. "But it's hard to achieve the kind of movies that Hollywood makes just given the kind of resources, the kind of environment I find myself in."
Hou said that among his favorite American filmmakers were Elia Kazan, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers.
