Truth behind Zhang Yimou's split with producer
- By Zhang Rui & Li Jingrong
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 19, 2015
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Zhang Yimou shoots film "Curse of the Golden Flower" [File photo] |
5. Interfered in the creation of Zhang Yimou's films
Zhou revealed that Zhang Yimou once wanted to quit a film because of Zhang Weiping's interference in his creative process.
"I can tolerate anything, but not in film creation," said Zhang Yimou. "Film creation is my bottom line! I cannot tolerate your interference in the storyline of a script or in the selection of actors and actresses. If you choose the actors and actresses, I have no autonomy."
During the casting for "Curse of the Golden Flower," Zhang Weiping demanded that the role played by Jay Chou, a famous actor and musician from Taiwan, be expanded in order to increase box office returns. During the casting for "A Simple Noodle Story," Zhang Weiping demanded that Xiao Shenyang, an actor from northeast China who became popular on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala, be given a role. Zhang's appeal forced a complete overhaul of the cast.
6. Drove a wedge between Zhang Yimou and Ken Takakura
Among film insiders, Zhang Weiping is notorious for his rudeness to actors and actresses of all levels, and his behavior has forced Zhang Yimou to mend rifts time and again. Zhang Yimou has lost several friends because of Zhang Weiping.
Zhang Weiping sometimes directly asked Zhang Yimou not to keep in contact with some people. Ken Takakura, the late Japanese actor, once wrote a letter to Zhang Yimou, saying, "As an international director, you should stick to your own inner artistic choices and not be bound and controlled by producers."
After Zhang Weiping got word of this from his translator, Wang Xiaohua, he angrily burst out, "I just don't want other people to be close to you [Zhang Yimou]. That makes me uncomfortable and jealous."
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