Veteran mainland Chinese director Zhang Yimou is set to receive two prestigious honors at the upcoming Asian Film Awards ceremony. He will be recognized with a lifetime achievement award as well as a separate prize for directing the highest-grossing Asian film of 2023.
The Asian Film Awards organizers highlighted Zhang's remarkable career, noting his previous accolades such as the Asian film contribution award in 2010 and the best director award in 2021. Zhang expressed his gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing his dedication to filmmaking and his commitment to continuous improvement.
Zhang's acclaimed film, 'Full River Red,' set during the Southern Song Dynasty, blends mystery and comedy as it follows two soldiers entangled in a conspiracy. The movie dominated the Lunar New Year box office in China and achieved success in various international markets, grossing $667 million worldwide.
Following the success of 'Full River Red,' Zhang released two more films, 'Under the Light' and 'Article 20.' The latter, a legal comedy-drama, topped the mainland China box office and has grossed $320 million to date.
Zhang's illustrious career began with his directorial debut, 'Red Sorghum,' which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin film festival. He then explored themes of rural life in films like 'Ju Dou,' 'Raise the Red Lantern,' and 'To Live' before transitioning to big-screen productions such as 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers.'
As the Asian Film Awards approach, Zhang looks forward to continuing his directorial work, aiming to release one film per year. His diverse filmography includes projects like 'Under the Hawthorne Tree,' 'The Great Wall,' and 'Cliff Walkers,' showcasing his versatility and storytelling prowess.
The Asian Film Awards ceremony will take place at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District, celebrating Zhang Yimou's outstanding contributions to Asian cinema.
