The immediate family of leading Taiwanese film director Hou Hsiao-hsien said on Wednesday that he had retired from filmmaking due to illness and is now living peacefully in retirement. They said that their family-run company remains active and in business.
The statement (see below) was issued in response to news articles earlier this week that followed an introductory speech given in London by critic and curator Tony Rayns before a screening of 1985 title “A Time to Live and a Time to Die,” one of Hou’s best-known features.
Rayns was reported to have said that Hou has dementia, will not direct again and that members of Hou’s company had lost their jobs.
The family statement – signed by Cao Baofeng, Hou’s wife, son Isaac Hou and daughter Bess Hou – explained that Hou had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease before the COVID pandemic and that COVID had, to their surprise, worsened the problems.
They continued by saying that Hou has recovered from the COVID-related complications and is now resting quietly at home with his family. His enthusiasm for film remains undimmed, but he will not direct again, they said. They specified that “Shulan River” (aka ”On the Shulan River,” aka “Searching for the River God”), which Hou had been preparing for several years, will not go ahead.
“Nevertheless, his reputation as a filmmaker has been cemented through numerous critically-acclaimed films in Taiwan and internationally through the years. His contribution to the world of cinema will not be forgotten,” they said.
Hou has an enviable track record with directorial works including “A City of Sadness,” “The Puppetmaster,” “Flowers of Shanghai,” “Millennium Mambo” and 2015’s “The Assassin.”
Hou is known as one of the pioneers of the Taiwanese ‘New Wave’ who pushed boundaries in the 1980s at a time when Taiwan’s period of brutal military rule was receding, censorship abating and new possibilities were opened to artists and creators.
He is also known as one of world cinema’s foremost stylists, with many films displaying precise lighting and color in lengthy shots with static or extremely slow-moving camerawork.
Statement from Hou Hsiao-hsien’s family (unofficial Chinese to English translation)
“Our father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease a while ago, but it did not deter his passion for films as he continued to direct and produce his next film. More recently, his condition has worsened after a bout with COVID-19, and this has resulted in his retirement from the film industry.
While this is an unexpected development and disappointing news to all, we ask our father’s friends and fans not to despair. Before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he had often shared with us that his love for films has become purer.
Since recovery from COVID-19, he is now dedicating time to his family while recuperating with the same pureness and peace of mind. His company continues to be operational and we appreciate the kind notes of encouragement from all.
As our father has devoted his entire life to producing films, it was difficult for him to spare time and energy for the family. Despite the challenges, we are grateful that our father’s condition has allowed the family to spend time together and re-establish our love and devotion for one another. We ask everyone to kindly give our family space and peace, as this is much needed at this point of our father’s life.
Regrettably, the production of our father’s next film ‘On the Shulan River’ has discontinued due to his illness. Nevertheless, his reputation as a filmmaker has been cemented through numerous critically-acclaimed films in Taiwan and internationally through the years. His contribution to the world of cinema will not be forgotten, and his dedication and compassion toward film making will be fondly remembered by his friends and fans.
As we navigate this difficult time for our family, we again humbly ask for your kind respect for our privacy and extend our utmost gratitude for your support. No further comment will be issued at this time.
Hou Fuyue, Hou Yunhua, Cao Baofeng”
Statement by the family of Hou Hsiao-hsien (original Chinese text)
侯孝賢家屬聲明稿
侯導先前經診斷出阿茲海默症，但仍持續準備他的下一部電影，並
沒有因此減退他對電影的熱情，工作事務也如常進行，一直到新冠
肺炎確診，後遺症連帶影響病情才暫停，這對我們來說是沒有預想
過的發展，相信對今日得知此消息的朋友們來說，也一定是非常震
驚與難以置信，不過，請侯導的朋友和影迷們不要難過，確診之前
他常跟我們說，他發現他對電影的喜歡越來越純粹，確診康復後，
現在已經完全回歸家庭生活並且安心休養，身心狀態平順，並無大
礙，他的公司也都還在營運，業務依舊持續運作，謝謝大家的關心。
過往由於侯導長年投入於他所喜歡的電影工作中，對家庭生活無暇
兼顧，所以現在雖然生病了，但感謝神，換個角度看，這段期間反
而讓我們家人之間朝夕相處，重新建立更親密的關係，也懇請大家
給予侯導與家人們平靜生活的空間。
之前侯導籌備的電影《舒蘭河上》(尋找河神)，無法繼續執行固然
遺憾，但過往他的作品已於國內外獲得諸多的肯定，也留下許多經
典的作品，相信在時間的洪流裡不但不會被遺忘，他對電影的態度、
精神也一定會被戰友和影迷們留存下來，再次謝謝大家。
侯甫嶽，侯蘊華，曹寶鳳
