25 Facts About Zhang Yimou

Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer, writer, actor and former cinematographer.

Zhang Yimou is a part of the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, Honorary Doctorate of Boston University and Yale University, and Distinguished Professor of Beijing Film Academy.

Zhang Yimou made his directorial debut in 1988 with Red Sorghum.

Zhang Yimou directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, which received considerable international acclaim.

Zhang Yimou's 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.

Zhang Yimou was born in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province.

Zhang Yimou's mother, Zhang Yimou Xiaoyou, was a doctor at the 2nd Hospital affiliated Xi'an Jiao Tong University who graduated from Xi'an Medical University.

Zhang Yimou has two younger brothers, Zhang Weimou and Zhang Qimou.

Zhang Yimou has an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Boston University and one from Yale University.

Zhang Yimou graduated with the class of 1982, which included Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang, and Zhang Yimou Junzhao.

In 1985, after moving back to his home town of Xi'an, Zhang Yimou was engaged as cinematographer and lead actor for director Wu Tianming's upcoming film Old Well, which was released in 1987.

Happy Times, a relatively unknown film by Zhang Yimou, was based loosely on the short story Shifu: You'll Do Anything for a Laugh, by Mo Yan.

Zhang Yimou followed up the huge success of Hero with another martial arts epic, House of Flying Daggers, in 2004.

Zhang Yimou had been an admirer of Takakura for over thirty years.

Zhang Yimou reprised his version of Turandot in October 2009, at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, and plans to tour with the production in Europe, Asia and Australia in 2010.

In 2001, Zhang Yimou adapted his 1991 film Raise the Red Lantern for the stage, directing a ballet version.

Zhang Yimou has co-directed a number of outdoor folk musicals under the title Impression.

Zhang Yimou led the production of Tan Dun's opera, The First Emperor, which had its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera on 21 December 2006.

Zhang Yimou was chosen to direct the Beijing portion of the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, alongside co-director and choreographer Zhang Jigang.

Zhang Yimou was a runner-up for the Time Magazine Person of the Year award in 2008.

On 7 January 2022, it was reported that Zhang Yimou has chosen to direct the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Olympics and 2022 Winter Paralympics, which would be held in Beijing, China.

However, when the news came out, Zhang Yimou had no immediate response.

On 29 November 2013, under pressure from the public and criticism on the Internet, Zhang Yimou's studio released a statement that acknowledged Chen Ting and their three children.

On 9 January 2014, the Lake District Family Planning Bureau, in accordance with China's one-child policy, said Zhang Yimou was required to pay an unplanned birth and social maintenance fee totaling RMB 7.48 million.

On 7 February 2014, it was reported that Zhang Yimou had paid the fee.