Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou is one of the most talented filmmakers to emerge from China, with a body of work that spans over three decades. Born in Xi'an, China in 1950, Zhang studied photography at the Beijing Film Academy before embarking on a career in film. He first gained international recognition in the 1980s with his directorial debut, Red Sorghum (1987), which won the Golden Bear prize at the Berlin International Film Festival. Since then, Zhang has become known for his visually stunning and emotionally resonant films, which often explore themes of Chinese history, culture, and identity. Throughout the 1990s, Zhang directed outstanding films including Ju Dou (1990), Raise the Red Lantern (1991), and To Live (1994). In the 2000s, Zhang directed some of the greatest wuxia films of all time with Hero (2002), House of Flying Daggers (2004), and Shadow (2018). Along with his prolific output of movies, Zhang has also directed opera productions and served as the artistic director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Zhang Yimou has firmly established himself as a leading figure in Chinese cinema and a celebrated director on the global stage. You can watch some of his films for free online which we have gathered here.