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In November 2007, critically acclaimed Taiwan New Cinema film director Hou Hsiao-hsien was invited by Mr. Cheuk Paktong to hold a 3-day seminar at the Hong Kong Baptist University, sharing his thoughts on cinema and the film industry, details of his journey as a film director and practical advice on film-making.

Unconcerned with criticism or film theories, Hou’s films are deeply introspective and often utilizes his personal experiences. His films are characterized by a unique narrative style and an unchanging fascination with people. Unrestrained by the typical three-act story structure, he often leaves out the conflict and focuses on the build up to the conflict and the psychological changes after it, creating an atmosphere of bleakness. He uses his signature long takes to capture the delicate qualities and charisma of people and nuances human nature, portraying the small bits of “goodness” in the midst of viciousness and the bonds that people share. 

Hou Hsiao-hsien on Hou Hsiao-hsien: Notes for Movie-Makers is a compilation of thoughts on anything movie related. He talks about his aesthetics and the directors he admires. He gives practical advice on conceptualizing scripts, casting, on-set communication, mise-en-scène, sound mixing, and lighting…etc. He discusses his working methods with his partners on different projects and how he brought out the true potential of actors and actresses such as Shu Qi, Lin Qiang, and so on. He envisions a future for Taiwan's movie industry. And, in addition to all of the above, this book also records his conversation with critics and film students. 

In this book, he shares valuable notes on his process of film-making and we see not only his passion and vocation for the art but also an affable side of him that speaks vividly of the precious moments in filmmaking.