Renowned international director Ang Lee has been invited to serve as the chairman of the jury for the 60th Golden Horse Awards, marking his return to Taiwan after a decade. This news has brought immense joy and anticipation among Taiwanese filmmakers and audiences alike, as Ang Lee is highly respected and regarded as a global icon. However, what I would like to share with you today is the extraordinary story of Ang Lee and his wife, Lin Huijia, who have been married for an impressive 40 years.
Their marriage, characterized by the fusion of a film director and a molecular biologist, goes beyond the realm of romanticism portrayed in their movies. Instead, it revolves around the simple pleasures of tea, rice, oil, and salt. This unconventional union is a testament to their unwavering admiration and contentment with each other.
Ang Lee, the elegant and sensitive filmmaker, holds a master’s degree from the New York University Film Institute. In contrast, his wife, Lin Huijia, exudes cheerfulness and a free-spirited nature, holding a PhD in biology from the University of Illinois. Despite their seemingly contrasting styles, they tied the knot in 1983.
After completing their studies, Lin Huijia secured a well-paying research position at New York Medical College, while Ang Lee spent six years at home, diligently searching for filmmaking opportunities in production companies. During this time, with his head buried in books, Ang Lee took care of household chores, grocery shopping, raised their children, and occasionally worked as a part-time taxi driver.
Throughout those years, Lin Huijia became the breadwinner of the family, while never complaining or having any regrets. She has always held Ang Lee in great esteem, stating, “I have always respected him immensely.” She never felt that she had made a wrong decision by marrying him.
At one point, Ang Lee, compelled by reality, secretly taught himself computer skills, contemplating a career change. Agitated by this, Lin Huijia exclaimed, “So many people are learning computers, and you, Ang Lee, are the only one!” This incident showcased her respect and affirmation of Ang Lee’s aspirations, just as he respected and took care of the household responsibilities, allowing her to focus on her career without any worries.
Many may argue for gender equality in modern times, but bearing the entire financial burden of a family, irrespective of which spouse is shouldering it, is undeniably challenging. When asked in subsequent interviews whether she felt a sense of imbalance, Lin Huijia responded, “I do not impose my hopes on others; I only have expectations for myself.” To her, each individual is independent, and this includes their journey of marriage, having children, and raising a family. She holds a profound respect for Ang Lee, and they both focus on fulfilling their respective roles to the best of their abilities.
Later in their lives, as Ang Lee began receiving accolades and recognition for his films, with him ultimately becoming an esteemed international director, Lin Huijia became attributed as the vital driving force behind his success—the woman who supported him in realizing his dreams. However, in a humble and unique interview, Lin Huijia modestly stated, “I did not support him; I did not hinder him.”
She further proclaimed, “When Ang Lee was not a director, I was the director. And even after Ang Lee became a director, I remained Lin Huijia.”
From being an unknown filmmaker to becoming the most prominent Chinese director globally today, Ang Lee’s perspective on life remains unaltered. He still perceives himself as an ordinary man, often playfully referring to himself as “henpecked.” Like his two children, he relies on and cherishes the presence of Lin Huijia in his life. Returning home after filming is the happiest moment for him.
When questioned about the secret to maintaining a successful marriage, Ang Lee swiftly responded, “In marriage, respect outweighs love in importance.” According to him, respect holds greater significance than love because being a father or a husband does not automatically grant adoration and respect from one’s family. It must be earned consistently, adhering to a certain standard. This realization prevents him from becoming complacent.
He emphasizes that maintaining a relationship becomes arduous when there is a lack of respect. Laziness, recklessness, and dishonesty all contribute to disrespect, which becomes apparent and can be sensed naturally. There is no room for force or pretense; attitudes towards respect must arise genuinely.
The mutual respect shared by Ang Lee and Lin Huijia has fostered a peaceful and harmonious marriage. In 1999, when “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” triumphed at the Oscars, Ang Lee took the opportunity to praise his wife on stage, acknowledging her perseverance, as well as her quirky personality that sometimes frightens him. In almost every film he directs, traces of Lin Huijia’s influence can be found.
Even when “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” failed to secure the Golden Horse Award for Best Director in 2001, Ang Lee expressed his feelings with grace. However, in 2013, upon winning his second Oscar for Best Director for “Life of Pi,” he excitedly shouted, “My wife’s name is Lin Huijia. We have been married for 30 years. I love you!”
In an exclusive 2022 interview, Ang Lee was asked about his current greatest happiness, to which he replied, “My wife’s smile. It instantly brings me relaxation and immense joy.”
Lin Huijia’s respect for Ang Lee’s dreams and Ang Lee’s appreciation for his wife’s feelings have created a contented and harmonious union. Their journey is a testament to the enduring power of respect within a marriage.
Further reading:
– Golden Horse 60/The Golden Horse parents are back! Ang Lee serves as chairman of the 60th Golden Horse Awards jury
– “Enrich yourself first before others can love you”: Carina Lau shares her financial philosophy for buying a house.
The 60th Golden Horse Awards invited the internationally famous director Ang Lee to return to Taiwan and serve as the chairman of the jury again after 10 years. Many Taiwanese filmmakers and audiences were very happy and expected after learning this, because he is Ang Lee, many of whom are respected international stars. But what Sister Tao wants to show you today is the story of Ang Lee and his wife Lin Huijia who have been married for 40 years. The combination of a film director and a molecular biologist is less about the romance of the film and more about tea, rice, oil and salt It is indifferent, but this type of marriage is even more admirable and pleasant.
Lin Huijia makes money, and Li An takes care of the family
The elegant and sensitive Ang Lee, the cheerful and unrestrained Lin Huijia, one has a master’s degree from the New York University Film Institute, and the other has a PhD in biology from the University of Illinois. Both people, who apparently had completely different styles, married in 1983.
Ang Lee and Huijia Lin married in New York in 1983.
After graduation, Lin Huijia got a well-paying research job at New York Medical College, while Ang Lee stayed at home for six years, looking for filmmaking opportunities in production companies. At home, he was usually burying his head in books, buying groceries, raising children, and occasionally driving a taxi part-time.
During those six years, Lin Huijia became the breadwinner of the family. She never complained about Ang Lee. “I have always respected him greatly. “She never felt that she had married the wrong person.
Once upon a time, Ang Lee was forced by reality to secretly learn computers and wanted to change his career. Lin Huijia said to him angrily: “There are so many people learning computers, and you, Ang Lee, are the only one!” She respected and affirmed Ang Lee’s ideals, and Ang Lee also saw Lin Huijia. respects her and takes care of the chores at home, allowing her to focus on her career without any worries.
Lin Huijia’s stocking philosophy
Many people in modern times call for equality between men and women, but no matter which side of the couple supports the whole family alone, it is a very heavy weight. So, he asked many interviews later to Lin Huijia: Is your heart unbalanced?
After Ang Lee spent six years pursuing his dream of directing, Lin Huijia shouldered the family’s financial burden on one shoulder.
Lin Huijia said: “I will not tell others what I hope for you. I only have expectations for myself.” To her, everyone is an independent individual, including getting married, having children, and raising a family. . She respects him completely. The husband and children are only focused on doing what they can do.
Later, Ang Lee won all the awards for the film and became a famous international director. Everyone praised Lin Huijia as the important driving force behind Ang Lee and the woman who supported him to realize his dream. However, in an interview unique, Lin Huijia said modestly : “I have no support. Him, I don’t care about him, at most I don’t hold him back.”
Lin Huijia said: “When Ang Lee was not the director, I was the director. After Ang Lee became the director, I was still Lin Huijia.”
Ang Lee: Respect is much more important than love.
From being unknown to being the most famous Chinese director in the world today, Ang Lee’s attitude towards life has not changed at all. He is still the common man who calls himself “hepecked”. Like his two children, he depends on Lin Huijia and likes to be around her. He said every time he comes home from filming and sees his wife, this is the happiest moment for him.
There was an interview where the host asked Ang Lee to share the secret of holding a wedding. He said without thinking: “I feel that in marriage, no amount of love is more important than respect. Respect is much more important than love.」
Ang Lee: “Respect is much more important than love.”
“Just because I’m a father or a husband doesn’t mean I can earn their respect naturally. You have to keep earning their respect every day, and you have to reach a certain standard. this keeps me from slacking off. reason.”
“If you don’t know how to respect the other person, this kind of relationship is hard to maintain. When you don’t work hard, when you’re lazy, when you’ n reckless, when you lie, disrespect is disrespect, and you can see it in your eyes. Coming out is not about attitude, you can’t force others, it’s all natural.”
Happiness thrives forever because of respect
In 1999, when “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” won multiple Oscars, Ang Lee said on stage: “My wife is not as beautiful as the heroine Yu Xiulian, but she has her perseverance; she also has the perverse personality of Yu Jiaolong, because she is Sometimes it’s scary.” In almost every film he makes, there is a shadow of Lin Huijia.
Ang Lee and Lin Huijia’s respect for each other made their marriage peaceful and peaceful.
In 2001, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” did not win the Golden Horse Award for Best Director. A reporter asked Ang Lee how he felt.
In 2013, Ang Lee won his second Oscar for director for “Life of Pi” He shouted excitedly on stage: “My wife’s name is Lin Huijia. We have been married for 30 years. I love you!”
In 2022, an exclusive interview with Ang Lee asked: “What is your greatest happiness right now?” Ang Lee said: “My wife can smile at me, and I will relax a bit, and I will feel very happy.”
Lin Huijia respects Li An’s dream, and Li An respects his wife’s feelings, making this marriage a peaceful one.
Further reading:
Golden Horse 60/The Golden Horse parents are back! Ang Lee serves as chairman of the 60th Golden Horse Awards jury
“Enrich yourself first before others can love you” Carina Lau talks about her financial philosophy for buying a house
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