Watch Let the Wind Carry Me

Let the Wind Carry Me is a documentary film that follows the life and career of one of Taiwan's most renowned cinematographers, Mark Lee Ping Bin. Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien's long-time collaborator Kwan Pun-leung and Taiwanese journalist Ho Chao-ti, the film offers an intimate and insightful look into Lee's creative process, personal life, and spiritual beliefs.

The film begins with Lee's return to his hometown of Taitung, a rural area in southern Taiwan, after decades of living and working abroad. There, he visits his parents' house and reminisces about his childhood, revealing how his upbringing and surroundings have influenced his aesthetics and outlook on life.

Throughout the film, Lee shares his thoughts on the art of cinematography, emphasizing the importance of intuition, observation, and empathy in capturing the essence of a moment or a place. He insists on the value of natural light and the power of the wind in shaping the visual language of a film. He also recalls his collaborations with some of the most celebrated directors in world cinema, such as Wong Kar-wai, Hou Hsiao-hsien, and Tran Anh Hung, revealing the challenges and joys of working with different styles and personalities.

In addition to Lee's reflections, the film features interviews with his collaborators, friends, and family members, who provide insights into his personality and work ethics. Gilles Bourdos, the French director of Renoir, speaks of Lee's unique ability to create a dreamlike atmosphere in his films, while Taiwanese actress Sylvia Chang praises his sensitivity and dedication to his craft. Other interviewees include cinematographers Christopher Doyle and Mark Li Ping Bing, directors Hou Hsiao-hsien and Tran Anh Hung, and Lee's younger sister, who shares childhood memories and family photos.

Throughout the film, Lee's relationship with his father, a retired airplane mechanic, serves as a poignant backdrop. As he revisits his father's old workplace and talks about his passion for flying, Lee reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the power of imagination. He shares his own dream of someday creating a film that captures the beauty and majesty of the sky, conveying not only its physical dimensions but also its emotional resonance.

The film's imagery and soundscape are as poetic as its subject matter. Kwan and Ho employ a range of cinematic techniques to evoke Lee's worldview and showcase his cinematic skills. From mesmerizing shots of natural landscapes and cityscapes to experimental sequences that deconstruct the process of filmmaking, the film immerses the viewer in Lee's sensory universe. The use of music, both original and borrowed, further enhances the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the film.

Let the Wind Carry Me is not only a tribute to a great artist but also a meditation on the power of human connection and the beauty of life's fleeting moments. By capturing Lee's thoughts and experiences, Kwan and Ho offer a window into a universal human experience, one that transcends borders and cultures. The film's title, taken from a line in a poem by the Chinese author Bei Dao, encapsulates this sensibility, suggesting that life is a journey that we must embrace and cherish, allowing ourselves to be carried by the wind of uncertainty and possibility.