Yang, who died Friday, was born in Shanghai but moved to Taiwan at an early age, was one of the directors who rejuvenated Taiwan's cinema through so-called New Wave films, Variety reported Monday. New Wave films are known for their realistic and sympathetic portrayals of Taiwanese life.

His best-known work was "Yi Yi: A One and a Two" a family drama that earned him the director prize at 2000 Cannes Film Festival.

Yang focused on urban and societal development themes, evidenced in "Mahjong," in which modern urban-Taiwan is seen through foreign eyes, and "A Brighter Summer Day," a sprawling examination of youth gangs, Variety said.

Yang announced this year that he would make "The Wind," a $25 million animated movie to be co-produced with Jackie Chan. The project was cut short when Yang became ill.