John Woo is back. The director of The Killer was in France this summer to film a remake of this action classic. Before discovering what this new version will give, we can enjoy Silent Night, available this Friday on Amazon Prime Video. The story of a father, played by Joel Kinnaman, who decides to avenge his son who was killed by a gang by accident, has almost no dialogue.
“It was a challenge for me who mainly likes to express myself through images,” explains John Woo to 20 minutes. I hope fans of my style will find what they’re looking for. » Indeed, slow-motion shootings, great feelings and a taciturn warrior are there in this new American film from the filmmaker who had not filmed in the United States since Paycheck with Ben Affleck twenty years ago.
Extra-large emotions
“I obviously took care of the action scenes,” explains John Woo, “but what matters above all to me are the emotional passages, particularly between the hero and his wife or his memories with his son. » We clearly recognize the “melodious” side dear to the tender-hearted director in these scenes which contrast with the violence of the clashes. “For me, action is only valid if it is based on feelings,” he insists. It loses all impact if it is free. »
Lovers of John Woo’s cinema will delight in finding his favorite figures (yes, there are birds!) and will say to themselves that the director of 77 Spring could well still surprise with his new Killer filming of which, interrupted by the actors’ strike, should resume in the spring.