[CHI] Zhang Yimou 張藝謀

[daigong]

Zhang Yimou 張藝謀

One of Mainland China's most prolific and influential directos, breaking through with Gong Li and many oscar nods



Zhang Yimou (born November 14, 1950) is a Chinese film director, producer, writer and actor, and former cinematographer. He is counted amongt the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, having made his directorial debut in 1987 with Red Sorghum.[2]

Zhang was the first Chinese filmmaker to receive Motion Picture Academy recognition, with cinematography nominations for Ju Dou in 1990 and Raise the Red Lantern in 1991, and has since won numerous awards, including the Silver Lion and Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

One of Zhang's recurrent themes is the resilience of Chinese people in the face of hardship and adversity, a theme which has been explored in such films as, for example, To Live (1994) and Not One Less (1999). His films are particularly noted for their rich use of colour, as can be seen in some of his early films, like Raise the Red Lantern, and in his wuxia films like Hero and House of Flying Daggers.

Profile
Origin: China
Born: November 14, 1950 in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Occupation: Film director, producer, cinematographer and actor

Links
IMDB
Wikipedia

Filmography
One and Eight (CHINA 1983)[cinematographer]
Yellow Earth (CHINA 1984)[cinematographer]
Old Well (CHINA 1986)[cinematographer/actor]
The Big Parade (1986)[cinematographer]
Red Sorghum (CHINA 1987)[actor]
Codename Cougar [aka: The Puma Action](CHINA 1989)[director]
Terracotta Warrior (1989)[actor]
Ju Dou (CHINA 1990)[director]
Raise the Red Lantern (CHINA 1991)[director]
The Story of Qiu Jiu (CHINA 1992)[director]
To Live (CHINA 1994)[director]
Shanghai Triad (CHINA 1995)[director]
Hua Hun (CHINA 1995)[writer]
Lumiere and Company (USA 1995)[director]
Dragon Town Story (CHINA 1997)[producer]
Keep Cool (CHINA 1997)[director/actor]
The Road Home (CHINA 1999)[director]
Happy Times (CHINA 2001)[director]
Hero (2002)[writer/director/producer]
2046 (2004)[producer]
House of Flying Daggers (2004)[director/writer]
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (CHINA 2005)[director]
Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)[director]
A Simple Noodle Story (2009)[director]

source: http://www.lovehkfilm.com/people/zhang_yimou.htm

his signature piece, "Raise the Red Lantern" with Gong Li

[daigong]

His newest movie getting a TON of pub. Check out more here: http://english.cri.cn/6666/2010/09/02/Zt1261s592519.htm

"Under the Hawthorn Tree" Previewed in Shanghai     
2010-09-09 09:31:57     CRIENGLISH.com       Web Editor: zhucheng



"Under the Hawthorn Tree", a romance film directed by Zhang Yimou, was previewed in Shanghai on Tuesday (Sept.7), M1905.com reports.

The film was able to move the audience to tears without even a single love scene. The innocence of the film recalled the innocence of the 1970s.

Unlike the sharp, contrasting colors Zhang is known for in his previous films like "Red Sorghum", "Hero" and "A Simple Noodle Story"; "Under the Hawthorn Tree" uses softer colors and natural light.

Stylistic changes work well with the storyline, which is more realistic in comparison with Zhang's other films.

Zhou Dongyu plays the lead female character Jing Qiu, who wears an outfit typical of the era for a female in China - a white shirt, blue pants and black cloth shoes. Her simplicity is displayed by her refusal to wear a pair of new rubber shoes she is presented as a gift by her boyfriend.

Zhou was reportedly hand-picked from a casting call which attracted more than 5,000 hopefuls from across the country.

"Her smile is evocative of first love," a viewer said after the preview.

When Jing Qiu's pregnant friend tells her that after a man "gets it," he will lose interest in a woman, Jing Qiu asks her friend what she means by "gets it," resulting in hearty laughter from the modern audience.

Jing Qiu's romantic boyfriend, Lao San, is played by Canadian-raised Dou Xiao.

"He sets an example for all Chinese men who are searching for a girlfriend," a female viewer said.

"Under the Hawthorn Tree" are both Zhou and Dou's first big-screen appearances.

"Under the Hawthorn Tree" is scheduled for release in China on September 16.

'Hawthorn Tree' Lovebirds Pose for Photo Shoot     
2010-09-09 16:12:16     CRIENGLISH.com       Web Editor: Xie Tingting

 

Actress Zhou Dongyu and actor Shawn Dou from Zhang Yimou's drama film "Under the Hawthorn Tree" pose for photos. The acting newcomers portray an unfulfilled romance in the film due out September 16, 2010. [Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]

Zhang Yimou's Film to Open Pusan Film Festival      
2010-09-08 09:33:47     Xinhua       Web Editor: Xie Tingting

South Korea's most prestigious film festival will feature a record number of world premieres when it kicks off next month, organizers said Tuesday (September 7).



The 15th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), held in the southern port city of Busan since 1996, will take place from Oct. 7 to 15, showcasing 308 films from 67 countries.

The festival will open with "Under the Hawthorn Tree" a Chinese film directed by Zhang Yimou, who also directed the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.



It will close with "Camellia", an omnibus film of three separate short pieces about the city of Busan directed by Wisit Sasanatieng of Thailand, Isao Yukisada of Japan and Jang Jun-Hwan of South Korea.

Organizers said that this year's PIFF boasts 103 world premieres and 52 international premieres among its 308 scheduled films.

"This year is for discovering new directors who will lead the future of the film industry. This will provide an opportunity for the films to become more contemporary and more revolutionary," organizers said in a statement.

Invited guests will include French actress Juliette Binoche, British actress Jane March, China's Tang Wei, Miyazaki Aoi of Japan and directors such as Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, Oliver Stone of the United States and Spain's Carlos Saura.

The Asian Film Market, devoted to promoting innovative business models to film professionals around the world, will be held from Oct. 10 to 13 as a part of the PIFF.

[daigong]

ready to judge! with Honey Lee (이하늬) October 7th to the 15th Pusan International Film Festival Opening


http://thestar.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/09/28/2010092801230.html

[daigong]

REPRESENT!!!



From left, Chinese actor Dou Xiao, director Zhang Yimou and actress Zhou Dongyou walk the red carpet of the 15th Pusan International Film Festival's opening ceremony held at the Yachting Center in Busan, South Korea on October 7, 2010


[PIFF] Zhang Yimou goes back to basics in "Hawthorn"



China's top filmmaker Zhang Yimou, best known for his use of vibrant colors and dazzling action beats, has gone back to basics with his latest film "Under the Hawthorn Tree."

The film, opening this year's Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) and making its international premiere, contained subtle hues, controlled movement and little dialogue, characteristics observed more often in his earlier works.

And while his turn to his humble style has been questioned, particularly after the commercial success of his large projects such as "House of Flying Daggers" and "Hero," Zhang said he opted to create the online novel into a movie simply for its moving storyline.

"I read the novel after hearing of this very moving story and I just felt that I should make it into a film...... I thought it would be great as a film," Zhang explained on Thursday after the film's screening ahead of the PIFF's official opening ceremony later in the day.

He also said that his first-hand experience with China's Cultural Revolution during his late teens was a "tragic memory" but that it was meant to serve merely as the background to the love story between Jing Qui and Lao Shan.

Jing Qiu, played by ballet dancer-turned-actress Zhou Dongyou, comes across Lao Shan, played by Canadian-raised actor Dou Xiao, when she is sent to the countryside to be 're-educated' under Mao Zedong's Communist policies.

Jing Qiu struggles between love and duty when she falls in love with Zhou Dongyou yet support and protect her family after her father is politically persecuted.

The film, which has been seeing strong box office sales in China since its premiere in September, will be screened at the PIFF running from October 7 to 15 this year.

Reporter : Jessica Kim jesskim@
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

source: http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010100721312357134


nice to know he stopped trying to be John Woo and vice versa lol

[daigong]

Christian Bale Joins Zhang Yimou's WWII Film   
2010-12-22 16:53:45     CRIENGLISH.com       Web Editor: Xie Tingting



Not Tom Cruise. Not Leonardo DiCaprio. The Hollywood actor starring in Chinese director Zhang Yimou's new film is Christian Bale!

The "Dark Knight" star will play a missionary working in 1930s Nanjing. The film "Jinling Shi San Chai" ("The Thirteen Women of Jinling"), is set in what was once the Chinese capital at the time of the Nanjing Massacre.

Based on a novella by Chinese-American author Yan Geling, the film tells the story of a group of people seeking refuge in a place of worship. As war raged around them thirteen prostitutes broke into a church. They were then joined by several Chinese soldiers who'd survived a battle with the Japanese invaders. This caused problems for the church workers and a group of boarding school girls.

Producer Zhang Weiping said earlier the film would feature an A-listed Hollywood star, triggering rumors that the role would go to Tom Cruise or Leonardo DiCaprio.

Shooting is set to start in January, and Zhang Yimou has promised to use new actresses in the film.

[daigong]

^ pretty major

Zhang's Nanjing Massacre Film to Get Japan Release    
2011-06-23 14:57:49     CRIENGLISH.com       Web Editor: Xie Tingting



Chinese director Zhang Yimou's upcoming film "Nanjing Heroes" set during the Japanese invasion of China will be released in Japan.

Film producer Zhang Weiping was quoted by Sohu.com as saying that the film had found a Japanese distributor, although he did not name a specific company or release date. Zhang also said the film's creative team included top Japanese movie artists such as production designer Yohei Taneda.

"Nanjing Heroes" is about a group of people making life choices in face of the Nanjing Massacre in 1937. The lead characters include an American priest working in Nanjing, 13 prostitutes and a group of wounded Chinese soldiers.

Hollywood star Christian Bale takes the role as the priest, while new Chinese actresses have been cast to play the prostitutes.

The movie's war scenes feature special effects by a team under the supervision of Joss Williams whose credits include "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific".

The production team recently finished shooting the film. It is slated for release in China on December 16.

[daigong]

"The Flowers of War" Pair Cover Hollywood Reporter Magazine
2011-12-01 10:24:43        Chinese Films

Directed by the legendary Zhang Yimou, the Oscar winner Chirstian Bale is the first major Westerner to play a lead role in a Chinese movie with Rape of Nanking epic "The Flowers of War." In the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter, days after "The Dark Knight Rises" filming wrapped, the pair discuss what it means for business in China. [Photo: hollywood reporter]

aww yeah 

EPIC!!! Does he fuck the girls he protecting? lol damn pimp


some scenes, from the theme song:


He wouldn't be BALE-in! They all up in BIFF

"The Flowers of War" Premieres in Berlin     
2012-02-15 09:12:17     CRIENGLISH.com       Web Editor: Sun

 Oscar winner Christian Bale and Chinese director Zhang Yimou have attended the premiere of "The Flowers of War" at the Berlin International Film Festival.





The movie is an adaptation of a Chinese-language novel by writer Yan Geling about 13 sex workers in Nanjing who volunteer to replace university students as escorts for invading Japanese soldiers.

Bale stars as John Miller, an American mortician who pretends to be a priest, in an effort to shelter both the prostitutes and the students in a church during the invasion.

Bale has been to the Berlin Film Festival before and says it's the type of event that would appreciate a film like this.

"It's a different approach to movies here. And it's very nice, you know, you always get very intelligent questions here. So it's a nice its a nice place to launch from," he said.

"The Flowers of War" is being showcased as part of the presentation section of the Berlin International Film Festival which wraps up on Sunday.

[daigong]

HUH!!!! From Batman to Bourne. Zhang Yimou directs matt damon in great wall 長城



whatever sells Chinese culture to the western audiences, like people whining that white man saves Chinese from dragons   ....bu-bu-butt it's got ANDY LAU!!