Hou Hsiao-Hsien (born in 1947) is one of Taiwan's most influential filmmakers and a leading figure in the Taiwanese New Wave. His distinctive style is characterized by **long sequence shots**, **naturalistic photography**, and an **observational and detached** approach, which allows viewers to immerse themselves in the lives of his characters and landscapes. He often explores themes such as memory, identity, and Taiwanese history.

His most celebrated works include ***A City of Sadness* (1989)**, winner of the Golden Lion at Venice—the first Taiwanese film to win the award—and ***The Puppetmaster* (1993)**. He received the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival for ***The Assassin* (2015)**, a stylized wuxia epic. His films are slow, profound meditations that have earned him international recognition for their unique aesthetic and emotional impact.