25th October 2025 – (Lyon) Celebrated Hong Kong director John Woo attended the Lumière Festival 2025 in Lyon, France, where he participated as a guest of honour and conducted a masterclass for cinema enthusiasts. The seventy-nine-year-old auteur, whose distinguished career spans five decades, required both wheelchair and walking stick assistance throughout the festival engagements.
The filmmaker’s physical mobility appeared noticeably diminished compared to his previous public appearance during last year’s premiere of his most recent feature film. Festival documentation shows the director being supported by accompanying guests as he moved between venues, though he maintained clear verbal communication and cheerful interaction with attendees.
Woo’s professional legacy includes foundational works that shaped the Hong Kong cinematic landscape, notably “A Better Tomorrow” and “The Killer,” before his subsequent transition to Hollywood filmmaking. His creative output has continued into his late seventies, with his English-language reinterpretation of “The Killer” released just last year.
During the masterclass session, the director transferred from his wheelchair to a standing position with walking aid support to address the audience directly. Witnesses reported he remained articulate in English throughout his presentation, offering professional insights while occasionally waving to spectators upon his arrival and departure from the stage.
