Fifth Generation Chinese Filmmaker

ZHANG YIMOU

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 YimouYear English title Chinese title Notes

1987 Red Sorghum 红高粱 Golden Bear

1988 Codename Cougar 代号美洲豹 (co-director)

1990 Ju Dou 菊豆1991 Raise the Red Lantern 大红灯笼高高挂 Silver Bear

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 YimouSegment of the anthology, Lumière and Company

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 Happy Times 幸福時光2002 Hero 英雄2004 House of Flying Daggers 十面埋伏2005 Riding Alone for Thousands of

Miles千里走单骑

2006 Curse of the Golden Flower 满城尽带黄金甲

2007 Movie NightSegment of the anthology, To Each His Cinema

2009 A Simple Noodle Story[41] 三枪拍案惊奇2010 The Love of the Hawthorn Tree山楂树之恋2011 The Flowers of War 金陵十三钗

Zhang Yimou:Significant film types

• His early “Red Trilogy” (historical dramas with personal foci):• Red Sorghum (1987)• Ju Dou (1990)• Raise the Red Lantern (1991)

•Wuxia films, e.g.:• Hero (2002)• House of Flying Daggers (2004)

• Attempts at international cross-overs:• Segment in Lumiere & Co. (1995)• The Flowers of War (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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