
Zhang Yimou
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- April 2, 1950
- Birthplace
- Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Zhang Yimou (born November 14, 1950 or 1951) is a Chinese film director, producer, writer and actor, and former cinematographer. He is counted amongst the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, having made his directorial debut in 1987 with Red Sorghum. Zhang has won numerous awards and recognitions, with Best Foreign Film nominations for Ju Dou in 1990 and Raise the Red Lantern in 1991, Silver Lion and Golden Lion prizes at the Venice Film Festival, Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. One of Zhang's recurrent themes is the resilience of Chinese people in the face of hardship and adversity, a theme which has been explored in such films as, for example, To Live (1994) and Not One Less (1999). His 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.
Filmography

Sunshine Thief TBA
Executive Producer
- The Three-Body Problem
The Three-Body Problem TBA
Director
- Cliff Walkers 2
Cliff Walkers 2 TBA
Director

Scare Out 2026
Director, Writer

Article 20 2024
Writer, Director

Under the Light 2023
Director

Beijing 2022 2023
Executive Producer

Full River Red 2023
Director, Screenplay

Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony 2022
Director

Beijing 2022 Olympics Closing Ceremony 2022
Director

Beijing 2022 Olympic Opening Ceremony 2022
Director

Snipers 2022
Director

My Country, My Parents 2021
as TV Station Director (segment "Duck Prophet")

Cliff Walkers 2021
Director, Screenplay

One Second 2020
Director, Screenplay

A Documentary About The Movie One Second 2020
as Himself

My People, My Homeland 2020
Producer

庆祝中华人民共和国成立70周年联欢活动 2019
Director

Zhang Yimou's "Shadow" 2018
as Self

Shadow 2018
Director, Screenplay

Bergman: A Year in a Life 2018
as Self

Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang 2017
as Self

The Great Wall 2016
Director

Suddenly Seventeen 2016
Producer

最忆是杭州 2016
Director

Lady of the Dynasty 2015
Co-Director

Stories Through 180 Lenses 2014
Director

Coming Home 2014
Director

Trespassing Bergman 2013
as Self

The Flowers of War 2011
Director

Under the Hawthorn Tree 2010
Director

A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop 2009
Director

60th Anniversary Of Founding Of The People's Republic Of China 2009
Director

Beijing 2008 Olympic Closing Ceremony 2008
Director

Beijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony 2008
Director

To Each His Own Cinema 2007
Director, Writer
- Secrets Within: Inside Look at 'Curse of the Golden Flower'
Secrets Within: Inside Look at 'Curse of the Golden Flower' 2007
as Self

Curse of the Golden Flower 2006
Director, Screenplay

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles 2005
Director
- 图兰朵:法兰西体育场
图兰朵:法兰西体育场 2005
Director

Turandot 2005
Director

Making of House of Flying Daggers 2004
as Self, Writer, Producer

'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece 2004
as Self

House of Flying Daggers 2004
Director, Producer, Writer

Beauty and Pureness 2004
Actor

Hero 2002
Director, Producer, Writer

Cause: The Birth of Hero 2002
as Himself

Happy Times 2000
Director

Not One Less 1999
Director

The Road Home 1999
Director

Puccini: Turandot at the Forbidden City of Beijing 1999
Director
- 知识改变命运
知识改变命运 1999
Actor

Dragon Town Story 1997
Producer

Keep Cool 1997
as Junk Peddler, Director

Lumière & Company 1995
as Self, Director

Shanghai Triad 1995
Director

Big Fish in China 1994
as Self

The Great Conqueror's Concubine: Part I 1994
Producer

To Live 1994
Director

The Story of Qiu Ju 1992
Director

Raise the Red Lantern 1991
Director

Ju Dou 1990
Director

A Terra-Cotta Warrior 1989
as General Meng Tianfang

Codename Cougar 1989
Director

New Chinese Cinema 1989
Actor

Red Sorghum 1988
Actor, Director

The Big Parade 1986
as Military Official, Director of Photography

Old Well 1986
as 孙旺泉, Director of Photography

Forced Take-off 1984
Cinematography

Yellow Earth 1984
Director of Photography

One And Eight 1983
Director of Photography

The Red Elephant 1982
Director of Photography
Credits from TMDB.