BUSAN — Michelle Yeoh has no plans to move behind the camera as a director, saying she would rather continue acting and producing while supporting filmmakers with strong creative visions.
The Oscar-winning Malaysian actress made the comments as she returned to the Busan International Film Festival after 15 years to receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award. She is also appearing at the festival as the lead actor and producer of It’s My Time, which is part of the event’s Gala Presentation.
Yeoh Chooses Acting and Producing
Asked whether directing could be the next step in her career, Yeoh ruled out the idea, explaining that directing requires an enormous level of commitment and a powerful personal vision.
Instead, she said she prefers to concentrate on the areas she knows best while helping directors bring their own ideas to the screen.
Yeoh has increasingly worked with younger filmmakers, including Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, whose 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She also praised the opportunity to work with emerging directors and said their unconventional approaches can produce exceptional results.
Korean Cinema Wins Her Admiration
Yeoh also used her appearance in Busan to express her admiration for South Korea’s film industry.
She singled out acclaimed filmmakers Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho, saying she would welcome the opportunity to work with them. She also expressed interest in Lee’s upcoming film Possible Love.
Beyond Korean films, Yeoh said she is a fan of K-pop, K-dramas and Korean food, but emphasized her particular enthusiasm for Korean cinema.
Her praise comes as Korean cinema continues to serve as a major example of how Asian stories can reach international audiences without losing their cultural identity.
From Hollywood Barriers to Oscar History
Yeoh also reflected on the obstacles she faced earlier in her Hollywood career, including being repeatedly offered stereotypical roles for Asian women even after establishing herself internationally.
Her breakthrough in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon helped expand her global profile, while her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once eventually made her the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
She credited South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung, who became the first Asian winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, with helping demonstrate that major Hollywood recognition was possible for Asian performers.
A Major Return to Busan
Yeoh’s return to Busan carries particular significance after a 15-year absence. The festival selected her as its Asian Filmmaker of the Year for her contribution to Asian cinema and her influence on the global film industry.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival is running from October 6 to 15, featuring 316 films from 59 countries, including 93 world premieres. The festival has also gained formal A-list recognition from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, strengthening its position on the international festival circuit.
For Yeoh, however, the focus remains on what cinema can continue to accomplish. After more than four decades in the industry, she said film remains an essential part of her life and a powerful way for audiences to temporarily shut out the world and connect with a story.
Her message in Busan was clear: she may not want to direct, but she still wants to help Asian filmmakers and performers push their stories onto the global stage.
