Filmmaker John Woo unspools own story

In addition to his numerous crowns, such as "the first Chinese film director to conquer Hollywood" or "Asia's highest-grossing film's director", John Woo has won his latest, perhaps biggest, honor as "the most influential Chinese person in the world" in the cultural area.

Amid applause and cheers, Woo, wore a confident smile as he strode to the glittering stage at Peking University during the March 27 You Bring Charm to the World event, sponsored by Phoenix Television and other Chinese media outlets.

The 64-year-old filmmaker attracted a burst of flashbulbs, far more than the other winners, who included notables such as Nobel physics prize winner Charles K. Kao and biologist Pan Wenshi.