Zhang Yimou to direct two new films after Olympics
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 24, 2022
It was recently announced that celebrated Chinese director Zhang Yimou will return to making movies, following on from presenting fabulous Olympic ceremonies to the world.
It was revealed on Tuesday that Zhang will direct a period movie called "Man Jiang Hong" ("Full River Red"), the title of which is borrowed from the most famous poem by Yue Fei. Yue was a military general during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), well-known for his patriotism and loyalty to his country, who was framed and executed by Prime Minister Qin Hui, one of the most treacherous officials in China's history.
A brief synopsis provided by Huanxi Media explains that the plot revolves around a mysterious incident which takes place in Qin Hui's residence where he would meet representatives from the enemy Jin Dynasty. Behind the incident, it is actually righteous vigilantes who want to slay the traitor. Zhang seems set to retell the historical story in a new perspective, and will co-write the script with screenwriter Chen Yu.
On Monday, Emperor Motion Pictures also announced they will collaborate with Zhang for a sequel to his spy thriller "Cliff Walkers," which took 1.19 billion yuan ($186.7 million) in China to become his biggest grossing film. The film is to be the director's first sequel in his long career spanning 38 years.
Zhang is known to be hardworking and prolific. He recently finished directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, which showed a romantic, dreamy and passionate China, and sent a message of world unity via marvelous performances and high-tech visual effects. With the achievement, he has become the first person to direct both Summer and Winter Games ceremonies.
However, his wife Chen Ting spoke out about her concerns for Zhang's workaholic devotion during the Olympics, fearing he was harming his health. She said every hour of his life was occupied by work, and he ate little, and slept little.
Zhang's most recent film "Snipers" was released during the Olympics and has so far grossed 598 million yuan. It was also reported that he will make his TV directorial debut with a show based on "Protagonist," an award-winning novel by Chen Yan about the life of a leading Shaanxi opera star. Meanwhile, the director's latest movie — an urban crime drama titled "Under the Light" — is also awaiting release. Zhang Yimou truly is one of the hardest working people in cinema.
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