ZHANG YIMOU Fifth Generation Chinese Filmmaker Zhang Yimou

ZHANG YIMOU Fifth Generation Chinese Filmmaker

Zhang Yimou • Born in 1951 in Shaanxi Province • His father served under Chiang Kai-shek in the Chinese Civil War • During the Cultural Revolution, Z. Y. worked as a farm worker and a cotton mill hand • Attended Beijing Film Academy, studying photography, entering in 1978 when the school was re-opened after the Cultural Revolution • The most well-known member of the “Fifth Generation” of Chinese filmmakers, who emerged after the Cultural Revolution • He co-directed the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics • His films are noted for: • • Lush photography Sensuality, eroticism Often with a viewpoint from a female leading character Personal stories, in a culture that so often emphasizes collectivism

Zhang Yimou Year English title Chinese title Notes 1987 Red Sorghum �高粱 Golden Bear 1988 1990 1991 Codename Cougar Ju Dou Raise the Red Lantern 代号美洲豹 菊豆 大红灯笼高高挂 (co-director) 1992 The Story of Qiu Ju 秋菊打官司 Golden Lion 1994 To Live 活着 Grand Prix du Jury 1995 Shanghai Triad 摇啊摇，摇到外婆桥 1995 Zhang Yimou 1997 Keep Cool 有話好好說 1999 Not One Less 一个都不能少 Golden Lion 1999 The Road Home 我的父亲母亲 Jury Grand Prix 2000 2002 2004 2005 2006 Happy Times Hero House of Flying Daggers Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles Curse of the Golden Flower 幸福時光 英雄 十面埋伏 千里走�� 满城尽带黄金甲 2007 Movie Night 2009 2010 2011 2014 A Simple Noodle Story [41] The Love of the Hawthorn Tree The Flowers of War Coming Home Silver Bear Segment of the anthology, Lumière and Company 三枪拍案惊奇 山楂�之恋 金陵十三� �来 Segment of the anthology, To Each His Cinema

Zhang Yimou: Significant film types • His early “Red Trilogy” (historical dramas with personal foci): • Red Sorghum (entire film) (1987) • Ju Dou (1990) • Raise the Red Lantern (trailer) (1991) • Wuxia films, e. g. : • Hero (trailer) (2002) • House of Flying Daggers (trailer) (2004) • Attempts at international cross-overs: • Segment in Lumiere & Co. (1995) • The Flowers of War (trailer) (2011) (with Christian Bale)— received mixed critical reviews • Interview with Z. Y. on The Flowers of War

Zhang Yimou • 2011 FIAPF Award (International Federation of Film Producers Associations— based in Paris, 30 members from 27 countries, including the MPAA, also oversees international film festivals) • Segment from awards ceremony, with clips of Yimou’s work and his acceptance speech (6: 30)

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