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The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Silent Night with John Woo and Brian Helgeland (Ep. 461)

The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Directors Guild of America

Tv & Film

4.6848 Ratings

🗓️ 21 December 2023

⏱️ 35 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Director John Woo discusses his new film, Silent Night, with fellow Director Brian Helgeland in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his influence echoed throughout modern action films, the importance of classic Hollywood and musical films to his taste, and telling a story absent of any dialogue starring a speechless character. The film tells the story of Brian, a man who witnesses the death of his son when the boy is caught in gang crossfire on Christmas Eve. Recovering from a wound that cost him his voice, Brian embarks on a bloody quest to punish those responsible, all without uttering a word. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/SilentNight_QnA_1223.aspx

Transcript

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0:00.0

So when I look at the stair, it was quite scary.

0:03.3

And when I look through the, from the bottom, through the tub,

0:07.4

and it feels like the hell upside down.

0:10.8

You know, so I said that our hero is fighting hell, you know.

0:14.8

So I just gave him one instruction.

0:19.0

I said, I want to do it all in one shot. Hello, and welcome back to the director's cut, brought to you by the Directors Guild of America.

0:45.1

In this episode, a grieving father enacts his long-awaited revenge in director John Wu's action drama, Silent Night.

0:53.7

The film tells the story of Brian, a man who witnesses the death of his son when the boy is

0:58.7

caught in gang crossfire on Christmas Eve. Recovering from a wound that cost him his voice,

1:04.7

Brian embarks on a bloody quest to punish those responsible, all without uttering a word.

1:10.9

In addition to Silent Night, Wu's other directorial credits include the feature films

1:15.8

Manhunt, Paycheck, Wind Talkers, Mission Impossible 2, Face Off, Broken Arrow, Hard Target, and Bullet

1:25.2

in the Head. Following a screening of the film at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles,

1:31.4

Wu spoke with director Brian Helgland about filming Silent Night.

1:36.1

Listen on for their spoiler-filled conversation.

1:43.5

Thank you so much.

1:48.8

And I like to thank Thunder Row and Capstone and Lionsgate and for giving us great

1:59.6

support.

2:00.7

And also I need to thank my good friend Brian

2:05.6

for doing this.

2:08.6

It's such a great honor.

2:10.6

Thank you.

...

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