Director John Woo's 'Red Cliff' is an epic whose time has come

There is one name synonymous with Hong Kong action flicks — John Woo.

His beautifully choreographed fights are iconic, eliciting copycats and fans all around the world. And Woo crossed over, directing such blockbusters as "Mission Impossible II" and "Face/Off."

It's been six years since the 61-year-old made an American movie — "Paycheck" with Ben Affleck. But Wednesday, Woo is releasing his take on the classic Chinese story of the Three Kingdoms, called "Red Cliff." It's like a historical mash-up of "300" and "Helen of Troy."

The film is a fusion of the highly successful two-part movie released in Asia. The first part earned more than $124 million.

Woo talked by phone from San Francisco about directing, fights and musicals.

Q: Why translate this classic story?

A: I grew up with this story. ... I've wanted to make this movie for 20 years, but ... we didn't have the budget or the technology. ... This is like a dream come true.

Q: Why this part of history?

A: The battle of Red Cliff was one of the most famous battles in Chinese history. ... It shows how a much smaller army can defeat a large, more powerful enemy, through a combination of teamwork, innovation, intelligence and courage.

Q: How did you make this story your own?

A: I wanted to make the heroes more human, rather than superheroes. ... I increased the female roles. ... I wanted to show that the classical woman was known for their beauty, but they also had a very strong personality. ... Just like women nowadays today, very brave, independent, very intelligent, sometimes they do even a better job than a man.

Q: How did you tailor the film for U.S. audiences?

A: I never thought of using a different approach for American audiences. I was just trying to keep as much as I could. I cut some of the side character roles and tried to maintain it as one story line and focus on the key characters.

Q: What do the white doves in your movies symbolize?

A: The white doves represent peace, love, innocence and purity. ... It became one of my styles. If I don't use it, I'm afraid my fans will think something is missing.

Q: Your fights look like dances. Is that a conscious move?

A: I have so much influence from musicals. When I'm choreographing a fighting sequence, I feel like I'm designing a dancing scene. I shoot the scene with music.

Q: What kind of music?

A: For big scenes in "Red Cliff," I will listen to some symphony, classical music.

Q: You broke a lot of barriers. Do you find it easier now?

A: Yes, it is a lot easier now. ... We can learn from each other. In China, ... the film business is booming and growing fast. The government is more open. ... From now on, the Chinese, Americans and even Europeans will have a lot more co-productions.

Q: How do you feel about copycats?

A: I just feel like I have so many friends and we are living in a big family and studying in the same school. Actually we are learning from each other. In the old times, I also learned from filmmakers and I used their techniques to develop my own style.

Q: What's next?

A: My next project is called "the Flying Tigers," this story about the American volunteer team fighter pilots who worked with the Chinese Air Force in World War II, a true story. The main theme is the friendship between the Chinese and Americans.

Q: What inspires you to keep making movies?

A: I think it's a good way of communicating with others, just like a writer using a pen. ... I love friends, so when I'm making a movie, it's like I'm writing a letter to my friends. And my friends is the audience.

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com