JOHN WOO: Yes, it's true, but there are so many reasons. First of all,
my wife is an American citizen and two of my kids were born here. At one time, i had never dreamed of coming to Hollywood.
I was only interested in working in Hong Kong. But you know, Hong Kong is a place that will drive you crazy. it's very competitive, lots of pressure, people don't respect your privacy. You always have to work taster and smarter than the other guy, or else you'll get beaten down Hong Kong people train for that. You work seven days a week, and it's really unhealthy.
I spent all, or most of my time, in the office and the studio. I was never able to give enough time to my children, and my family was being torn apart.

I finally realized that my family is the most important thing in my life, and once I got the opportunity to work in the States, I decided to move them here There's pressure here, of course, but it's normal pressure. People have to work hard and do a good lob, but everyone is more respectful of each other's lives. I can have my own privacy, and not work on weekends to spend more time with my wife and children.
My children have become happy, My real responsibil-ity is for them, to give them love, support, encouragement and guidelines. That's what they needed. Even if i fail in the United States, I still don't want to go back-even though I love the place, and love the people in Hong Kong.
I couldn't stand that kind of lifestyle anymore. in HongKong, if you fail just once, you're finished. No one cares about you, no one calls anymore. But in this country, even if you fail once or twice, you can still keep your reputation and position. What people respect more than anything is your work, not if you're a winner all the time. in Hong Kong, no way.. if you fail..

Q: You re out.

A:Yes. And especially in the film business, and especially if you're a star. You know, by the time a star reaches the age of 30 they're considered old.

Q: When you first came to the U.S., you really weren't sore what your fate would be?

A:I wasn't sure. I lust wanted to learn and experience, because I've always liked challenges. I've always believed that all of mankind is pretty much the same.
We have a similar style of work, a similar kind of feeling and thinking, you know? We have the same kind of dreams. We lust do it in different ways. I see myself as a bridge. I've got the responsibility to bring concepts from the East to the West, the best from my country and the United States, and put them all together into one film. I'm looking for the harmony between the two. That's why people have said that my kind of movies are international.
For my first American movie, HARD TARGET, I thought i knew enough about this country, but I didn't. it really plays pretty much like a Hong Kong movie. That's why i spent a couple of years after that not working or directing. i took the time to learn more to keep in touch with the people and see how they talk, how they feel, what they like. To learn both the good and the bad. And finally, FACE! OFF gave me a great opportunity to combine what I learned in both the East and West.