Zhang Ziyi Biography (3)
This August, Miramax will release Tsui Hark's The Legend of Zu, starring Zhang as a warrior princess. In July 2001 Zhang begins production on her next project, the Zhang Yimou feature Heroes, also featuring Jet Li and Maggie Cheung. She is also set to star in 2046 for director Wong Kar-Wai, which begins production in November 2001.
Zhang's first appearance on screen was also her first star turn - while still a student at the prestigious China Central Drama College, she was offered the lead in director Zhang Yimou's 1998 film The Road Home. Set amidst China's Cultural Revolution of the 1950s, the film is a beautifully shot, intimate account of a young girl's first love. The Road Home was awarded the Grand Jury Silver Bear at the 50th 2000 Berlin Film Festival.
Following her breakthrough role in The Road Home, Zhang Ziyi delivered a critically acclaimed performance in director Ang Lee's stunning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). An epic tale of true love, adventure, and intrigue, the film also stars international film sensations Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was nominated for an astonishing 125 awards in 2000 and 2001, winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Zhang herself received 14 nominations, going on to win the 2001 Independent Spirit Award and 2000 Toronto Film Critics Association Award, among others.
Zhang Ziyi was brought up in a middle class family in Beijing. Her father is a government economist and her mother a kindergarten teacher. She also has an elder brother, Zhang Zinan. At the age of 11 she began a 6-year study of folk and modern dance training at the Beijing Dance Academy.
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