"To survive is to win."Zhang Yimou
SurvivalResilience
Zhang Yimou Quotes
Chinese - Director|November 14, 1950
50 FAMOUS QUOTES · DIRECTOR
Zhang Yimou Quotes
Read 15 Zhang Yimou quotes on art, cinema, wuxia and storytelling from the legendary Chinese director of Hero, Raise the Red Lantern and To Live.
"You must know what you are capable of."Zhang Yimou
Self-KnowledgeConfidence
"To do art, one thing should always remember - subjects of people in misery have deep meanings."Zhang Yimou
ArtCompassion
"People in misery is what most important in art."Zhang Yimou
ArtHumanity
"Only people have been through that miserable time will recall the pass from their deep memory."Zhang Yimou
MemoryHistory
"I hope before I am getting too old and when my mind is still functioning, I can tell some better stories."Zhang Yimou
StorytellingAmbition
"Wuxia is a fantasy world exists in everyone's mind."Zhang Yimou
WuxiaImagination
"I am a fan of wuxia."Zhang Yimou
WuxiaPassion
"This is my first wuxia movie and I must consider this before trying to make something with my own."Zhang Yimou
FilmLearning
"HERO is a combination of my personal feeling and the commercialism."Zhang Yimou
FilmArt and Commerce
"The so-called commercialism includes elements like story, plots, rhythms and large big scenes."Zhang Yimou
FilmmakingStorytelling
"I must stick with Chinese language films."Zhang Yimou
CultureIdentity
"But I think we need the international market."Zhang Yimou
Global CinemaBusiness
"Time has changed and now is the age of spending."Zhang Yimou
"Piracy has destroyed the domestic market."Zhang Yimou
Film IndustryPiracy
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About Zhang Yimou
Chinese - Director | Born November 14, 1950
# Zhang Yimou Quotes
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer and cinematographer, born on November 14, 1950, in Xi'an, China. During the Cultural Revolution he worked on a farm and in a textile mill before entering the Beijing Film Academy, where he became a leading member of the "Fifth Generation" of Chinese filmmakers. His directing debut, Red Sorghum (1987), won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.
Zhang went on to make acclaimed dramas such as Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern, The Story of Qiu Ju, To Live and Not One Less, followed by spectacular wuxia (martial arts) epics including Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower. He also directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. His quotes reflect on art born from hardship, the balance of art and commerce, and his love of wuxia storytelling.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Zhang Yimou and these famous quotes.
Who is Zhang Yimou?
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, born on November 14, 1950, in Xi'an. He is one of the most celebrated filmmakers in China and a leading figure of the Fifth Generation of Chinese directors.
What are Zhang Yimou's most famous films?
His best-known films include Red Sorghum, Raise the Red Lantern, To Live, Not One Less, Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower.
What awards has Zhang Yimou won?
He won the Golden Bear in Berlin for Red Sorghum, the Golden Lion in Venice for The Story of Qiu Ju and Not One Less, and the Grand Prix at Cannes for To Live. Several of his films were nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Did Zhang Yimou direct the Olympic ceremonies?
Yes. He directed the famous opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, and the ceremonies of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
What is wuxia?
Wuxia is a Chinese genre of martial arts fantasy about heroic swordsmen. Zhang Yimou's Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004) are among its most famous films.