ZHANG ZIYI

b. 9 February 1980, Beijing

Actress

A Beijing native and performing arts graduate of the China Central Drama Academy, Zhang Ziyi achieved international fame after her debut in The Road Home (Wode fuqin he muqin, 1999), directed by Zhang Yimou. The film won the Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival. Her performance won her Best Actress at China’s Golden Horse (Jinma) awards. She has been pitched as ‘little Gong Li’ and ‘Zhang Yimou’s little girlfriend’.

Her foray into Hollywood came with her second film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Wohu canglong, 2000), directed by Ang Lee. She was elected Best Supporting Actress by the Toronto Film Critics Association.Her international visibility expanded in 2001 when she played in four films originating from three national or regional industries. They were Rush Hour 2, Warrior (Musa, Korea), 2046 and Legend of Zu (Shushan zhenzhuan), the last two directed by Wong Kar-wai and Tsui Hark, respectively. These conspicuous roles contributed to her selection in 2001 as one of the ‘Fifty Most Beautiful’ by People’s Magazine. In her most recent film, Hero (Yingxiong), she collaborates once again with Zhang Yimou. She plays opposite Jet Li (Li Lianjie), continuing her previous work with other action movie stars, including Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh and Jackie Chan. Zhang’s success hinges upon the trend of transnational filmmaking. It remains to be seen how this trend will redefine Chinese cinema and whether Zhang’s career will continue to be shaped by it.

See also: Lou Ye

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