Difference between revisions of "Zhang Yimou"
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| + | == Introduction == | ||
| + | This Speaking In Turn was based on the an interview with Zhang Yimou in Speaking in Images by Michael Berry. <br /> | ||
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| + | == Early Years == | ||
| + | Zhang Yimou was born in 1951 in the province of Xi'an. He grew up during the cultural revolution in a family labeled by the government as "double counter-revolutionary" essentially meaning that his family was the worst of the worst. Because of this, Zhang was sent to the countryside for reeducation. While working a a factory, Zhang took up photography as a hobby. In 1978, when he was past the age of acceptance, Shang Yimou used his impressive portfolio of images to gain access to Beijing Film Academy. He says in the interview that he did not do this because he had a love of art but because he simply wanted to change his circumstances. And he did just that. | ||
| − | == | + | |
| − | + | == Cinematography == | |
| + | Zhang Yimou's first foray into the world of film was actually as a cinematographer, not a director. He was with Zhang Junzhao on One and Eight and then with Chen Kaige on Yellow Earth. The work on these films would define Zhang as man who pushed boundaries and made bold, visual statements. Zhang Yimou doesn't, however, feel that he is necessarily special, just that he was the first one to be doing what he did. | ||
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| + | == Themes == | ||
Revision as of 20:16, 10 April 2012
Introduction
This Speaking In Turn was based on the an interview with Zhang Yimou in Speaking in Images by Michael Berry.
Early Years
Zhang Yimou was born in 1951 in the province of Xi'an. He grew up during the cultural revolution in a family labeled by the government as "double counter-revolutionary" essentially meaning that his family was the worst of the worst. Because of this, Zhang was sent to the countryside for reeducation. While working a a factory, Zhang took up photography as a hobby. In 1978, when he was past the age of acceptance, Shang Yimou used his impressive portfolio of images to gain access to Beijing Film Academy. He says in the interview that he did not do this because he had a love of art but because he simply wanted to change his circumstances. And he did just that.
Cinematography
Zhang Yimou's first foray into the world of film was actually as a cinematographer, not a director. He was with Zhang Junzhao on One and Eight and then with Chen Kaige on Yellow Earth. The work on these films would define Zhang as man who pushed boundaries and made bold, visual statements. Zhang Yimou doesn't, however, feel that he is necessarily special, just that he was the first one to be doing what he did.