[2024.03.08] ZHANG YIMOU WOULD RECEIVE THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

courtesy of on.cc

Renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 17th Asian Film Awards ceremony to be held on March 10th 2024. The prestigious award, the event's highest accolade, is given to film professionals who have made a significant impact on Asian cinema throughout their lifetime dedicated to the film industry. Zhang is also honored for his directorial work Full River Red which will receive the 2023 Highest-Grossing Asian Film Award on the same occasion. These two awards are not only a testament to Zhang's extraordinary achievements but also to his continued success, having won the Asian Film Contribution Award at the 4th Asian Film Awards in 2010 and the Best Director Award at the 15th Asian Film Awards in 2021 for One Second. Zhang expressed his profound gratitude to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award: "I consider myself very fortunate to have chosen filmmaking as my lifelong profession. Having been in the industry for over four decades, I am grateful to everyone who appreciates my films. Thank you for your enduring support and encouragement. I will keep learning and strive to surpass myself. Always having anticipations for the future, I hope that my best film will be my next one."

As a filmmaker with decades of experience, Zhang Yimou shared his insight on films from different eras. "There have been significant phases in Chinese cinema over the past decades, with each era leaving its imprint on the development and evolution of Chinese films. This phenomenon is not unique to China, but also everywhere else. Personally speaking, each era is complex and profound on its own. Ultimately, film is a bridge with the capacity to connect our hearts together."

He shared his experience with young film directors. "Nowadays, I am often asked by the media to impart words of wisdom to young directors. Today's young generation actually grows up in the age of the internet with abundant information at their disposal. They are very aware and energetic, and do not really need much spoon-feeding. But since you asked, my answer is simple: persistence is key! Even when faced with numerous challenges, you have to persevere. As long as you have passion, you will persevere."

Zhang Yimou said that he has often been asked how would he turn out had he not entered the film industry. "Many friends asked me the same question, and I do sometimes go back in time to analyze and imagine what might have been. If I were to make a guess, the two most probable paths during that era would be: (1) A propaganda officer at a factory's trade union (primarily involved in writing and drawing); (2) Running a small photography studio."