About the Author

James Schamus is the CEO ofFocus Features as well as a Professorin Columbia University's School ofthe Arts, where he teaches film historyand theory. His script for The IceStorm (which Ang Lee directed) wonthe Best Screenplay Award at theCannes Film Festival.

Ang Lee won the Academy Award(R)for Best Director for BrokebackMountain and also received an Oscar(R)nomination for directing CrouchingTiger, Hidden Dragon (from the scriptby James Schamus).

Schamus and Lee have also collaboratedas writer and director onLust, Caution; Hulk; Ride with the Devil; Eat, Drink, Man, Woman; The Wedding Banquet; and Pushing Hands.

James Schamus is the CEO ofFocus Features as well as a Professorin Columbia University's School ofthe Arts, where he teaches film historyand theory. His script for The IceStorm (which Ang Lee directed) wonthe Best Screenplay Award at theCannes Film Festival.

Ang Lee won the Academy Award(R)for Best Director for BrokebackMountain and also received an Oscar(R)nomination for directing CrouchingTiger, Hidden Dragon (from the scriptby James Schamus).

Schamus and Lee have also collaboratedas writer and director onLust, Caution; Hulk; Ride with the Devil; Eat, Drink, Man, Woman; The Wedding Banquet; and Pushing Hands.

Reviews

Newmarket's two distinct screenplay series, Pictorial Moviebook and Shooting Script, are to books what MGM technicolor musicals and hard-boiled film noirs are to movies; the former is lush with color and expansive distractions while the latter is stripped to a pure and austere form. From Taiwan, Lee's eagerly awaited stylistic treatment of an epic Chinese love story combined with fascinating martial arts action is rendered sumptuously in this giftbook-like presentation, which assembles 120 color photographs and illustrations, numerous sidebars, and interviews along with the complete screenplay. Recipient of both the Best Foreign Film and Best Director Golden Globe Awards this year, Lee's film has also been nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Film. Introductory essays by Lee, esteemed film critic Richard Corliss, and film scholar David Bordwell are included. This visually fetching work will attract readers independent of its cinematic interest. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Adult/High School-The heart of the book is the complete screenplay, in English, illustrated with stills from the film. The script is a valuable resource for anyone too dazzled by the images to keep up with the subtitles. In addition, there is a foreword by Ang Lee; an essay analyzing the film by Time magazine film critic Richard Corliss; an essay about wuxia pian, Chinese martial-art films; and numerous short pieces examining aspects of the film, such as weapons, working with fight choreographer Yuen Wo Ping, and the meaning of the title. There are ample quotes from the director and the stars, which provide personal perspectives on the movie. The book is rounded out by short biographies of the major production staff and complete credits. Crouching Tiger is a visual feast, a sumptuously designed book with gorgeous photos, rich color, and varied motifs. It is sure to appeal to fans of the film.-Susan Salpini, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.