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Director

Zhang Yimou

Fifth Generation · b. November 14, 1951
Profile

Zhang Yimou (simplified Chinese: 张艺谋; traditional Chinese: 張藝謀; pinyin: Zhāng Yìmóu) is a Chinese filmmaker. A leading figure of China's Fifth Generation directors, he is considered as one of the most successful filmmakers in the world. After graduating from the Beijing Film Academy, Zhang was assigned as a cinematographer at the Guangxi Film Studio in 1982.

Thematic context drawn from Senses of Cinema. Read the full critical essay →
Filmography (76)
The Great Wall 2016
Coming Home 2014
The Flowers of War 2011
Under the Hawthorn Tree 2010
A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop 2009
Curse of the Golden Flower 2006
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles 2005
House of Flying Daggers 2004
Hero 2002
Crystal Simorgh, Fajr Film Festival 2001
Happy Times 2000
Individual Film Awards : 2000
International Filmmaker Award, Palm Springs 2000
The Golden Lion, Lanterna Magica, Serrgio Trasatti and UNICEF awards, Venice Film Festival 1999
The Road Home 1999
Turandot 1999
Silver Bear and Prize of the Eucemenical Jury, Berlin Film Festival 1999
Audience Award, Sundance 1999
Audience Award, Sao Paulo Film Festival 1999
Best Director, Golden Rooster 1999
Not One Less 1999
Keep Cool 1997
Dragon Town Story 1997
Freedom of Expression Award, National Board of Review, USA 1995
Best Cinematography, Los Angeles Film Critics Association 1995
Best Film not in the English Language, BAFTA 1995
Jury Award, Best Actor (Ge You), Cannes Film Festival 1995
Lumière et compagnie 1995
Vision in Film Award, Hawaii 1995
Technical Grand Prize, Cannes Film Festival 1995
Shanghai Triad 1995
To Live 1994
Grand Prize of the Jury and Prize of the Eucemenical Jury, Cannes Film Festival 1994
Best Film not in the English Language, BAFTA 1994
Critics Award, French Syndicate of Film Critics 1993
Soul of a Painter 1993
Best Foreign Language Film, National Society of Film Critics 1993
Best Feature, Hundred Flowers 1993
Best feature, Golden Rooster 1993
Golden Cup, Changchun International Film Festival 1992
Golden Lion, Venice Film Festival 1992
Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film 1992
The Story of Qiu Ju 1992
Raise the Red Lantern 1991
Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. 1991
Top Ten Chinese Language Films, Hong Kong Film Festival 1991
Silver Lion Award, Venice Film Festival 1991
Gold Hugo, Chicago International Film Festival 1990
Golden Spike, Valladolid International Film Festival 1990
Annual Award, German Democratic Republic Filmmakers Award 1990
FIPRESCI, West Berlin International Film Festival 1990
Best Foreign Feature Film (Amanda), Norwegian International Film Festival 1990
Best Feature Film, Cuba Film Festival 1990
Top Ten Chinese Language Films, Hong Kong Film Festival 1990
Judou 1990
Luis Buñuel Special Award, Cannes Film Festival 1990
Top Ten Chinese Language Films, Hong Kong Film Festival 1989
Terracotta Warrior 1989
Belgian French Radio Young Jury Award for Best Picture, Brussels International Film Festival 1989
Silver Panda, Montreal International Film Festival 1989
Operation Cougar 1988
Best feature, Hundred Flowers Award 1988
Best feature, cinematography, sound, music, Golden Rooster Awards 1988
Golden Bear Award, Berlin International Film Festival 1988
Film Critics Award, Sydney Film Festival 1988
Best picture, best director, best artistic achievement, Zimbabwe International Film Festival 1988
Red Sorghum 1987
The Big Parade 1986
Old Well 1986
Best cinematographer, French Three Continents International Film Festival 1985
Best cinematographer, Hawaiin International Film Festival 1985
Best cinematographer, Golden Rooster Awards 1985
One and Eight 1984
Yellow Earth 1984
Red Elephant 1982
The Small Courtyard 1981