John WOO The Chinese Mainland Red Cliff John WOO Born in Southern China, John WOO grew up in Hong Kong, where he began his film career as an assistant director in 1969, working for Shaw Brothers Studios. He directed his first feature in 1973 and has been a prolific director ever since, working in a wide variety of genres before “A Better Tomorrow” (1986) established his reputation as a master stylist specializing in ultra-violent gangster films and thrillers, with hugely elaborate action scenes shot with breathtaking panache. John WOO was voted as the most favourite director in China 100 Years Films Celebration in 2005.