Zhang Yimou seeks redemption via martial arts drama
BEIJING: Director Zhang Yimou is seeking redemption after the flop of the big-budget movie The Great Wall, and he’s reverted to the tried- and-tested formula of a beautifully crafted martial arts period drama.
On Monday, Village Roadshow Pictures Asia offered Asian film fans a sneak peek of his muchawaited next project, Shadow, at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
The images released feature four of the film’s stars, Deng Chao, Sun Li, Zheng Kai, Guan Xiaotong, engaged in moments of poignant drama and artful combat.
Little is officially known about the film’s plot so far, but Chinese media has reported that the film is set during China’s Three Kingdom’s era ( AD 220– 280). Zhang and Wei Li share writing credits. Zhang’s long-running collaborator is lensing the picture. Unlike The Great Wall, the film will be narrated entirely in Mandarin.
Zhang has faced his share of ups and downs, and is no stranger to controversy, or taking artistic risks.
For example, he came close to directing a Chinese-language version of No Country for Old Men, only for it to collapse because of money issues.
Said Zhang in a previous interview: “I loved No Country for Old Men. But it is very challenging to find actors who
But it is very challenging to find actors who can play these roles. And then, of course, they (the Chinese backers) told me it was too expensive. (They said) ‘Find something that’s older.’ That’s why we ended up with Blood Simple. Zhang Yimou, award-winning director
can play these roles. And then, of course, they (the Chinese backers) told me it was too expensive. ( They said) ‘Find something that’s older.’ That’s why we ended up with Blood Simple.” Zhang remade that 1984 movie as 2009’s A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop.
Zhang is also known for sidestepping laws to get what he wants.
Three and a half years ago, he was fined 7.48 million yuan for breaching China’s one- child policy. He and his wife, Chen Ting, admitted to having two sons and a daughter.