Daily BirthdaysYimou Zhang
Zhang Yimou was born in China in 1950 and studied cinematography at the Beijing Film Academy. He became a leading member of China's Fifth Generation Filmmakers, the first group to graduate following the turbulent Cultural Revolution. He is an accomplished actor, starring in 'Red Sorghum' as well as earning the Best Actor Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival for his performance in 'Old Well' (1986). Zhang Yimou is also a skilled cinematographer, with credits including 'Yellow Earth' (1984), 'Old Well' (1986), and 'The Big Parade' (1986).
As a director, he has received multiple honours. He is the first Chinese filmmaker to receive Motion Picture Academy recognition, being nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Film category for 'Ju Dou' in 1990, and 'Raise the Red Lantern' in 1991. He has earned numerous top honors, including the Silver Lion at the 44th Venice International Film Festival for 'Raise the Red Lantern' (1991), the Golden Lion Award at the 45th Venice International Film Festival for 'The Story of Qiu Ju' (1992), the Grand Jury Prize at the 47th Cannes International Film Festival for 'To Live' (1994), the Golden Lion Award at the 52nd Venice International Film Festival for 'Not One Less' (1999) and the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for 'The Road Home' (1999).
In 1997, Zhang diversified his craft, directing the Puccini opera 'Turandot' in Florence, Italy, with the acclaimed conductor Zubin Mehta. In 1998, he and Mehta once again collaborated, re-staging the opera in Beijing's Forbidden City.
Yimou Zhang Facts
| Occupation | Director |
| Birthday | November 14, 1951 (56) |
| Sign | Scorpio |
| Birthplace | Xian, People's Rep. of China |
Selected Filmography
| Hero | ||
| Curse of the Golden Flower | ||
| House of Flying Daggers | ||
| Raise the Red Lantern | ||
| To Live | ||
| The Story of Qiu Ju | ||
| The Road Home | ||
| Ju Dou | ||
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