Director
Zhang Yimou
- Born: 14 April 1951, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Estimated net worth: $500 million
Zhang Yimou is a renowned Chinese film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his visually stunning films. He gained international acclaim for works such as 'Raise the Red Lantern', 'Hero', and 'The Flowers of War'. Zhang is celebrated for his unique…
Zhang Yimou: best films and shows
About Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou is a renowned Chinese film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his visually stunning films. He gained international acclaim for works such as 'Raise the Red Lantern', 'Hero', and 'The Flowers of War'. Zhang is celebrated for his unique storytelling style and ability to blend traditional Chinese culture with modern cinematic techniques.
- Born
- 14 April 1951, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Known for
- Directing
- Height
- 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
- Spouses
- Chen Ting (1996-present)
- Children
- 1 daughter, Zhang Mo
- Parents
- Zhang Shijun, Zhang Yuying
- Estimated net worth
- $500 million
Fun facts about Zhang Yimou
- Zhang Yimou was originally a cinematographer before becoming a director.
- He has directed the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Famous Zhang Yimou quotes
“Life is like a box of chocolates.”
“You must understand the nature of a thing.”
“Sometimes, the most beautiful things are the simplest.”
Zhang Yimou filmography
Cast (32)
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Behind the Opening Ceremony: The Director's Cut TV | Self | 7.0 |
| 2021 | My Country, My Parents Movie | TV Station Director (segment "Duck Prophet") | 6.0 |
| 2021 | 极：《悬崖之上》电影纪录片 TV | Unknown character | 4.5 |
| 2020 | A Documentary About The Movie One Second Movie | Himself | 1.0 |
| 2018 | The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up TV | Self | |
| 2018 | Zhang Yimou's "Shadow" Movie | Self | |
| 2018 | Bergman: A Year in a Life Movie | Self | 7.4 |
| 2017 | Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang Movie | Self | 7.0 |
| 2016 | Thirteen Talks TV | Unknown character | 8.8 |
| 2013 | Trespassing Bergman Movie | Self | 6.6 |
Show 22 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Making of "The Flowers of War" TV | Unknown character | 8.5 |
| 2009 | Zhang Yimou's 2008 TV | Unknown character | |
| 2009 | 奥运档案 TV | Self | |
| 2008 | 激荡·1978-2008 TV | Unknown character | 1.0 |
| 2007 | Secrets Within: Inside Look at 'Curse of the Golden Flower' Movie | Self | |
| 2004 | Making of House of Flying Daggers Movie | Self | 6.8 |
| 2004 | 'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece Movie | Self | |
| 2004 | Beauty and Pureness Movie | Unknown character | |
| 2002 | Cause: The Birth of Hero Movie | Himself | 7.8 |
| 2001 | The Grand Mansion Gate TV | 李莲英 | 8.9 |
| 1999 | 知识改变命运 Movie | Unknown character | |
| 1997 | Keep Cool Movie | Junk Peddler | 7.5 |
| 1995 | Lumière & Company Movie | Self | 6.4 |
| 1994 | Big Fish in China Movie | Self | |
| 1989 | A Terra-Cotta Warrior Movie | General Meng Tianfang | 6.6 |
| 1989 | New Chinese Cinema Movie | Unknown character | |
| 1989 | Celebrity Talk Show TV | 张艺谋 | 9.5 |
| 1988 | Red Sorghum Movie | Unknown character | 7.2 |
| 1986 | The Big Parade Movie | Military Official | 5.9 |
| 1986 | Old Well Movie | 孙旺泉 | 7.1 |
| 1983 | CMG Spring Festival Gala TV | Unknown character | 5.7 |
| 1962 | Golden Horse Awards TV | Self | 9.0 |
Crew (74)
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | The Lead TV | Creator · Creator | 9.0 |
| 2026 | The Lead TV | Executive Producer · Production | 9.0 |
| 2026 | Scare Out Movie | Writer · Writing | 6.2 |
| 2026 | Scare Out Movie | Director · Directing | 6.2 |
| 2024 | The First Shot TV | Producer · Production | 8.1 |
Show 69 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Article 20 Movie | Director · Directing | 6.8 |
| 2024 | Article 20 Movie | Writer · Writing | 6.8 |
| 2023 | Under the Light Movie | Director · Directing | 5.8 |
| 2023 | Beijing 2022 Movie | Executive Producer · Production | |
| 2023 | Full River Red Movie | Screenplay · Writing | 6.0 |
| 2023 | Full River Red Movie | Director · Directing | 6.0 |
| 2022 | Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony Movie | Director · Directing | |
| 2022 | Beijing 2022 Olympics Closing Ceremony Movie | Director · Directing | 6.5 |
| 2022 | Beijing 2022 Olympic Opening Ceremony Movie | Director · Directing | 7.7 |
| 2022 | Snipers Movie | Director · Directing | 6.9 |
| 2021 | Cliff Walkers Movie | Screenplay · Writing | 6.7 |
| 2021 | Cliff Walkers Movie | Director · Directing | 6.7 |
| 2020 | One Second Movie | Director · Directing | 7.3 |
| 2020 | One Second Movie | Screenplay · Writing | 7.3 |
| 2020 | My People, My Homeland Movie | Producer · Production | 6.2 |
| 2019 | 庆祝中华人民共和国成立70周年联欢活动 Movie | Director · Directing | 10.0 |
| 2018 | Shadow Movie | Director · Directing | 6.7 |
| 2018 | Shadow Movie | Screenplay · Writing | 6.7 |
| 2016 | The Great Wall Movie | Director · Directing | 6.0 |
| 2016 | Suddenly Seventeen Movie | Producer · Production | 7.3 |
| 2016 | 最忆是杭州 Movie | Director · Directing | 8.0 |
| 2015 | Lady of the Dynasty Movie | Co-Director · Directing | 4.6 |
| 2014 | Stories Through 180 Lenses Movie | Director · Directing | |
| 2014 | Coming Home Movie | Director · Directing | 7.3 |
| 2011 | The Flowers of War Movie | Director · Directing | 7.4 |
| 2010 | Under the Hawthorn Tree Movie | Director · Directing | 7.8 |
| 2009 | A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop Movie | Director · Directing | 4.9 |
| 2009 | 60th Anniversary Of Founding Of The People's Republic Of China Movie | Director · Directing | |
| 2008 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Closing Ceremony Movie | Director · Directing | 8.6 |
| 2008 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony Movie | Director · Directing | 7.9 |
| 2007 | To Each His Own Cinema Movie | Writer · Writing | 6.4 |
| 2007 | To Each His Own Cinema Movie | Director · Directing | 6.4 |
| 2006 | Curse of the Golden Flower Movie | Director · Directing | 6.9 |
| 2006 | Curse of the Golden Flower Movie | Screenplay · Writing | 6.9 |
| 2005 | Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles Movie | Director · Directing | 7.1 |
| 2005 | 图兰朵：法兰西体育场 Movie | Director · Directing | |
| 2005 | Turandot Movie | Director · Directing | |
| 2004 | Making of House of Flying Daggers Movie | Writer · Writing | 6.8 |
| 2004 | Making of House of Flying Daggers Movie | Producer · Production | 6.8 |
| 2004 | House of Flying Daggers Movie | Director · Directing | 7.3 |
| 2004 | House of Flying Daggers Movie | Writer · Writing | 7.3 |
| 2004 | House of Flying Daggers Movie | Producer · Production | 7.3 |
| 2002 | Hero Movie | Writer · Writing | 7.5 |
| 2002 | Hero Movie | Director · Directing | 7.5 |
| 2002 | Hero Movie | Producer · Production | 7.5 |
| 2000 | Happy Times Movie | Director · Directing | 7.1 |
| 1999 | Not One Less Movie | Director · Directing | 7.5 |
| 1999 | The Road Home Movie | Director · Directing | 7.4 |
| 1999 | Puccini: Turandot at the Forbidden City of Beijing Movie | Director · Directing | 8.0 |
| 1997 | Dragon Town Story Movie | Producer · Production | 6.3 |
| 1997 | Keep Cool Movie | Director · Directing | 7.5 |
| 1995 | Lumière & Company Movie | Director · Directing | 6.4 |
| 1995 | Shanghai Triad Movie | Director · Directing | 6.9 |
| 1994 | The Great Conqueror's Concubine: Part I Movie | Producer · Production | 8.0 |
| 1994 | To Live Movie | Director · Directing | 8.1 |
| 1992 | The Story of Qiu Ju Movie | Director · Directing | 7.4 |
| 1991 | Raise the Red Lantern Movie | Director · Directing | 7.9 |
| 1990 | Ju Dou Movie | Director · Directing | 7.3 |
| 1989 | Codename Cougar Movie | Director · Directing | 5.4 |
| 1988 | Red Sorghum Movie | Director · Directing | 7.2 |
| 1986 | The Big Parade Movie | Director of Photography · Camera | 5.9 |
| 1986 | Old Well Movie | Director of Photography · Camera | 7.1 |
| 1984 | Forced Take-off Movie | Cinematography · Crew | 9.0 |
| 1984 | Yellow Earth Movie | Director of Photography · Camera | 7.2 |
| 1983 | One And Eight Movie | Director of Photography · Camera | 6.0 |
| 1982 | The Red Elephant Movie | Director of Photography · Camera | 5.0 |
| TBA | Cliff Walkers 2 Movie | Director · Directing | |
| TBA | The Three-Body Problem Movie | Director · Directing | |
| TBA | Sunshine Thief Movie | Executive Producer · Production |
Latest releases
- My Country, My Parents2021 / TMDB 6.0
- A Documentary About The Movie One Second2020 / TMDB 1.0
- Zhang Yimou's "Shadow"2018
- Bergman: A Year in a Life2018 / TMDB 7.4
- Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang2017 / TMDB 7.0
- Trespassing Bergman2013 / TMDB 6.6
Questions about Zhang Yimou
What are some of Zhang Yimou's most famous films?
Zhang Yimou is known for films like 'Raise the Red Lantern', 'Hero', and 'The Flowers of War', which showcase his distinct visual style and storytelling.
Has Zhang Yimou won any awards?
Yes, Zhang Yimou has received numerous awards, including the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for 'Red Sorghum' in 1988.
What was Zhang Yimou's first film?
Zhang Yimou's first film as a director was 'Red Sorghum', released in 1987, which gained significant recognition and established his career.
What is Zhang Yimou's directing style?
Zhang Yimou's directing style is characterized by vibrant colors, intricate cinematography, and a focus on Chinese culture and history.
How did Zhang Yimou get started in film?
He started his career as a cinematographer for the Beijing Film Studio before transitioning to directing, which allowed him to showcase his artistic vision.
What is Zhang Yimou's estimated net worth?
Zhang Yimou's estimated net worth is approximately $500 million, reflecting his successful career in the film industry.
What themes are prevalent in Zhang Yimou's films?
His films often explore themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggles of individuals against societal pressures, reflecting deep cultural narratives.
Has Zhang Yimou worked on international projects?
Yes, Zhang Yimou has collaborated on various international projects, including 'The Flowers of War', which featured a mix of Chinese and Western actors.