Zhang Yimou
Directing Born Apr 2, 1950 Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China 104 credits
Biography
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer, writer, and actor. He is counted amongst the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers. Zhang made his directorial debut in 1987. He has directed numerous films, with 84 known credits. Zhang's birthday is April 2, 1950, and he was born in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. He is also known as Yimou Zhang Yi-Mou.
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Career overview
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer, writer, and actor. He is counted amongst the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers. Zhang made his directorial debut in 1987 with the film Red Sorghum. He has directed numerous films throughout his career, with a total of 84 known credits.
Zhang's work often explores the resilience of Chinese people in the face of hardship and adversity. His films frequently address this theme, showcasing the strength and determination of the Chinese people. Zhang's directorial style and thematic focus have contributed to his reputation as a prominent figure in Chinese cinema.
Zhang Yimou's career has spanned several decades, with a notable directorial debut in 1987. His body of work includes a wide range of films that explore the human experience in China. As a prominent director, Zhang has made significant contributions to the Chinese film industry, leaving a lasting impact on the world of cinema.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
The Lead · Executive ProducerThe Lead · CreatorScare Out · DirectorScare Out · Writer
The First Shot · ProducerArticle 20 · WriterArticle 20 · Director
Under the Light · DirectorFull River Red · DirectorFull River Red · ScreenplayBeijing 2022 · Executive Producer
Snipers · DirectorBeijing 2022 Olympic Opening Ceremony · DirectorBeijing 2022 Olympics Closing Ceremony · DirectorBehind the Opening Ceremony: The Director's CutBeijing 2022 Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony · Director
Cliff Walkers · DirectorCliff Walkers · ScreenplayMy Country, My Parents极：《悬崖之上》电影纪录片
One Second · DirectorOne Second · ScreenplayMy People, My Homeland · ProducerA Documentary About The Movie One Second
The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-UpShadow · DirectorShadow · ScreenplayBergman: A Year in a LifeZhang Yimou's "Shadow"
Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang
Thirteen TalksThe Great Wall · DirectorSuddenly Seventeen · Producer最忆是杭州 · Director
Lady of the Dynasty · Co-Director
Coming Home · DirectorStories Through 180 Lenses · Director
Trespassing Bergman
The Flowers of War · DirectorMaking of "The Flowers of War"
Under the Hawthorn Tree · Director
奥运档案Zhang Yimou's 2008A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop · Director60th Anniversary Of Founding Of The People's Republic Of China · Director
激荡·1978-2008Beijing 2008 Olympic Closing Ceremony · DirectorBeijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony · Director
To Each His Own Cinema · DirectorTo Each His Own Cinema · WriterSecrets Within: Inside Look at 'Curse of the Golden Flower'
Curse of the Golden Flower · DirectorCurse of the Golden Flower · Screenplay
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles · Director图兰朵：法兰西体育场 · Director
House of Flying Daggers · DirectorHouse of Flying Daggers · ProducerHouse of Flying Daggers · WriterBeauty and Pureness'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece
Hero · DirectorHero · ProducerHero · WriterCause: The Birth of Hero
The Grand Mansion Gate
Happy Times · Director
The Road Home · DirectorNot One Less · Director知识改变命运Puccini: Turandot at the Forbidden City of Beijing · Director
Keep CoolKeep Cool · DirectorDragon Town Story · Producer
Shanghai Triad · DirectorLumière & CompanyLumière & Company · Director
To Live · DirectorThe Great Conqueror's Concubine: Part I · ProducerBig Fish in China
The Story of Qiu Ju · Director
Raise the Red Lantern · Director
Ju Dou · Director
Full filmography
- The Lead (2026) Executive Producer
- The Lead (2026) Creator
- Scare Out (2026) Director
- Scare Out (2026) Writer
- The First Shot (2024) Producer
- Article 20 (2024) Writer
- Article 20 (2024) Director
- Under the Light (2023) Director
- Full River Red (2023) Director
- Full River Red (2023) Screenplay
- Beijing 2022 (2023) Executive Producer
- Snipers (2022) Director
- Beijing 2022 Olympic Opening Ceremony (2022) Director
- Beijing 2022 Olympics Closing Ceremony (2022) Director
- Behind the Opening Ceremony: The Director's Cut (2022) as Self
- Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony (2022) Director
- Cliff Walkers (2021) Director
- Cliff Walkers (2021) Screenplay
- My Country, My Parents (2021) as TV Station Director (segment "Duck Prophet")
- 极：《悬崖之上》电影纪录片 (2021)
- One Second (2020) Director
- One Second (2020) Screenplay
- My People, My Homeland (2020) Producer
- A Documentary About The Movie One Second (2020) as Himself
- The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up (2018) as Self
- Shadow (2018) Director
- Shadow (2018) Screenplay
- Bergman: A Year in a Life (2018) as Self
- Zhang Yimou's "Shadow" (2018) as Self
- Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang (2017) as Self
- Thirteen Talks (2016)
- The Great Wall (2016) Director
- Suddenly Seventeen (2016) Producer
- 最忆是杭州 (2016) Director
- Lady of the Dynasty (2015) Co-Director
- Coming Home (2014) Director
- Stories Through 180 Lenses (2014) Director
- Trespassing Bergman (2013) as Self
- The Flowers of War (2011) Director
- Making of "The Flowers of War" (2011)
- Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010) Director
- 奥运档案 (2009) as Self
- Zhang Yimou's 2008 (2009)
- A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop (2009) Director
- 60th Anniversary Of Founding Of The People's Republic Of China (2009) Director
- 激荡·1978-2008 (2008)
- Beijing 2008 Olympic Closing Ceremony (2008) Director
- Beijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony (2008) Director
- To Each His Own Cinema (2007) Director
- To Each His Own Cinema (2007) Writer
- Secrets Within: Inside Look at 'Curse of the Golden Flower' (2007) as Self
- Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) Director
- Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) Screenplay
- Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (2005) Director
- 图兰朵：法兰西体育场 (2005) Director
- House of Flying Daggers (2004) Director
- House of Flying Daggers (2004) Producer
- House of Flying Daggers (2004) Writer
- Beauty and Pureness (2004)
- 'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece (2004) as Self
- Making of House of Flying Daggers (2004) as Self
- Making of House of Flying Daggers (2004) Writer
- Making of House of Flying Daggers (2004) Producer
- Hero (2002) Director
- Hero (2002) Producer
- Hero (2002) Writer
- Cause: The Birth of Hero (2002) as Himself
- The Grand Mansion Gate (2001) as 李莲英
- Happy Times (2000) Director
- The Road Home (1999) Director
- Not One Less (1999) Director
- 知识改变命运 (1999)
- Puccini: Turandot at the Forbidden City of Beijing (1999) Director
- Keep Cool (1997) as Junk Peddler
- Keep Cool (1997) Director
- Dragon Town Story (1997) Producer
- Shanghai Triad (1995) Director
- Lumière & Company (1995) as Self
- Lumière & Company (1995) Director
- To Live (1994) Director
- The Great Conqueror's Concubine: Part I (1994) Producer
- Big Fish in China (1994) as Self
- The Story of Qiu Ju (1992) Director
- Raise the Red Lantern (1991) Director
- Ju Dou (1990) Director
- Celebrity Talk Show (1989) as 张艺谋
- A Terra-Cotta Warrior (1989) as General Meng Tianfang
- Codename Cougar (1989) Director
- New Chinese Cinema (1989)
- Red Sorghum (1988)
- Red Sorghum (1988) Director
- The Big Parade (1986) as Military Official
- The Big Parade (1986) Director of Photography
- Old Well (1986) as 孙旺泉
- Old Well (1986) Director of Photography
- Yellow Earth (1984) Director of Photography
- Forced Take-off (1984) Cinematography
- CMG Spring Festival Gala (1983)
- One And Eight (1983) Director of Photography
- The Red Elephant (1982) Director of Photography
- Golden Horse Awards (1962) as Self
- The Three-Body Problem Director
- Sunshine Thief Executive Producer
- Cliff Walkers 2 Director