Like some of Zhang's other cinematographers (notably Lü Yue, whom Hou replaced), Hou has also moved into the directing world.
In 2004, he directed Jasmine Women starring Zhang Ziyi.
Hou began his career after graduating from the Beijing Film Academy in 1982 in the same class as Fifth Generation directors Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Tian Zhuangzhuang.
Hou's early career was spent mainly on Fifth Generation projects, notably those of Tian, and Wu Ziniu.
This article about a Chinese film director is a stub.