Wu Nien-Jen, a renowned Taiwanese filmmaker, was born in 1952 into a coal miner's family. His passion for writing began in 1975, when he was still a college student majoring in accounting. He started penning short stories for newspapers and eventually transitioned to screenwriting in 1978.
Wu's breakthrough came when he joined Central Motion Picture Corporation as a creative supervisor, working alongside visionary directors such as Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Edward Yang. He went on to write over 70 screenplays, many of which were adapted into films, and played a significant role in shaping the New Taiwanese Cinema Movement of the early 1980s.
Wu's impressive body of work earned him numerous accolades, including a record-breaking number of Golden Horse Awards. His collaboration with acclaimed Hong Kong director Anne Hui on the film "Song of Exile" (1990) is particularly notable. Additionally, Wu's novels and screenplays have made him one of the best-selling authors in Taiwan.
In 1994, Wu made his directorial debut with "A Borrowed Life," a poignant film that pays tribute to his Japanese-educated, hardworking father. The film received widespread critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prize at the Torino Film Festival in Italy and the Best Actor and International Critics' Award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece.
Wu's subsequent film, "Buddha Bless America" (1996),is a satirical commentary on 1960s politics. Besides his work behind the camera, Wu has also appeared in various films and commercials. His breakout acting role came when he starred in a series of beer and food products commercials, showcasing his impressive acting chops.
Wu's most recent film, "A One And A Two," directed by Edward Yang, received critical acclaim and won several international awards. Today, Wu runs his own production company, Wu's Productions, and continues to write, direct, produce, and act in both commercials and television programs.
