Q: "Windtalkers" is such a big movie What was the most challenging aspect to making the film?

John Woo (JW): One of the challenges was the action. I tried to make it real and shocking. All the action sequences are pretty much like a documentary. I wanted the audience more involved, to make audience feel like they are also in the battlefield. It's pretty stunning. It's different than all of my films. There were no scenes of someone holding two guns, firing and diving through the air and shooting, that kind of thing! Only some people blow up in the air [laughs]! I also wanted to show the horror of war.

I am a peace lover. I hate violence. I hate war. I hate to see people killing each other. I'm anti-war. That's why I want to send a message with this film. Let people know war is no good for anyone--no matter which side. War can only damage people's souls. We should all learn how to work together, love each other. That's what I tried to get from this movie. It's also what I want the audience to get from this movie.

It's great to see [in the film] the white man learning from the Native American, and the Native American learning from the white man. It really comes together. That's why I loved making this project. It's a part of my theme, my philosophy. All the main characters are equal. They all have the right to live. They all have the right to do their own thing. We are all together.

The other challenge was to make this movie look more real, more human. That's why I was glad to work with such great actors, like Nicolas Cage, Christian Slater and Adam Beach.

Q: What was it like working with Adam, Roger and the Navajo Code Talkers? How was that experience?

JW: That was a wonderful experience. I like Adam Beach a lot. I also like Roger Willie. I've never worked with Native American actors. It was fun. I found that they are so kind, nice, so innocent. When we shot the first big battle sequence, the whole scene was about Ben Yazzie, Adam's character. We see the war, all the violence through the his eyes. For the first set-up, it's a camera following Adam Beach. He's running, following Nicolas Cage and there are a lot of things going on, lots of explosions. Some Marines get killed, some people blow up in the air, there's a lot of bullet hits to the body. People die. I needed to see Adam Beach's true feelings, how he saw the war, everything.

After we had done the shot, he was completely shocked. He said, "John, this is so violent." He was so innocent, so pure, he had never seen any violent thing before. He was so serious. I said, "Yes, this is war." That kind of shocked moment was exactly what I needed.

The whole idea is how innocent people are damaged by the war. He was so amazing. In some ways, Adam Beach is like a child---in a good way. [smiles] He is so friendly, so innocent, he is extremely hard-working man. He liked to learn everything. Everything is new to him. He is so humble. He always asked people to help. He learned from Nick Cage, everyone. He is so smart. You don't have to tell him what to do. He is such a great actor. He knows what he is doing. He was always on time, always in character.

Q: I think Adam is going to be a big, breakout star for Native people. What do you think?

JW: I think he's got great potential. He's so true, honest. He will be a big movie star. He's so charming, so real. That's the most important thing about him. I think he could do anything, all kinds of roles. He is such a great actor.

Roger Willie is a big discovery in the film. It was his first time in a film. I like his character. I think he's extremely charming. He is so innocent. He always smiled. No matter what happened, he always gave his charming smile. Everybody loved him. We also called him "Charles Bronson" behind the camera. He just looked like Charles Bronson, so strong, so believable, so convincing. He was so nice to everybody. He is a good artist. He draws really well. He's a good painter.

I learned a lot from the two of them. All the native American people are so charming. They made me learn a lot. They worked really hard, are very serious and sincere. They were true. They gave their heart for everything.

In the old time, we have seen so many Westerns----so many Cowboys and Indians. It all wasn't real. I am so happy to learn the real thing. Not only the character and the culture, but also the music. Since the story is all about the Navajo, we are gonna use a lot of Navajo music and spirit in the film. I work with [ film composer ] James Horner. He also would like to put a lot of Native American music in the film. It feels so soulful and heartfelt. I love all the people. I love all the Indians in the film. I am so grateful for all the Navajo consultants, like Mr. Albert Lee and his wife Ellen. They gave so much good advice. He talked about some Indian philosophy to me. Talked about religion. About true love and what is the true Indian spirit.

They also have a great sense of humor. They are very funny. Albert, Roger and Adam, they find a true happiness in life. They enjoy life. They love everything, are so friendly and so open. They see something that we don't see.

When we shot the big battle scene in Hawaii, we shot in the valley.  Albert Lee came over to me and said,  "John, we have a visitor."  I said, "What visitor? I see no one but the soldiers and all the extras." He looked up the hill and said, "They came to look after you. Do you see them on the hill?" I see nothing, yet he sees something. "They are good spirits, they come to bless you. They are good friends." He said something very spiritual. I don't remember exactly, but the idea was, "You do something good and there is always good spirits who will look after you, take good care of you." It was a good message. There were always good spirits looking after me.

Q. Do you think you might do another native-themed project?

JW: I would love to do more. I always like to show the real thing. If there any scripts, any stories all about the true spirits, I would love to do it. I would like to do all kinds of movies.

"Windtalkers" is not only about war, it's about human beings. It's all about respect. What I have learned from this movie is that I am the same as them. People should learn how to respect each other, care for each other. There is always something good to learn from other people.

That's one reason I came to Hollywood. In Hollywood, you have so many chances to learn from so many people. I like to shoot films in different countries and places. I like to keep learning.

I hope people will like this movie. I hope people around the world will learn something from the Native American, from their culture, their spirit and something from the Marines. Let people learn about American History. What they [the American Indians] have done for people should be recognized. The young generation should learn from their story and their contributions. As an American citizen, I have a duty to tell this story to let the people know about their great contributions.

See Windtalkers Premiere photos