Taichung Mayor Jason Hu says Oscar-winning movie director Martin Scorsese could shoot his new drama “Silence” in the city next year.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Hu said Scorsese visited Taichung Gateway Park — where scenes in Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi” were filmed — to inspect a wave pool for use in his new movie.

According to Hu, Scorsese praised the good weather and film-making environment in Taichung.

Hu went on to say he expects Scorsese’s crew to begin shooting in the city between February and March of next year.

Scorsese’s “Silence” is the story of Jesuit missionaries in 17th century Japan.