In the artistic creations of internationally renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the diverse elements of Chinese culture serve as both the “form” and the “soul”.
In his film art, the more classic the works, the more vivid they become. For instance, in Raise the Red Lantern, Peking Opera is used to convey the characters’ inner emotions and hints at their fates. In The Road Home, the folk art of paper-cutting illustrates the purity and beauty of love. In Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles, Nuo Opera, a traditional Chinese theatrical form, imbues the film with a poetic and profound, yet delicate and unique emotional depth. In films like Hero and Shadow, Zhang seamlessly integrates a myriad of cultural elements, such as ink wash painting, local operatic dance, and traditional crafts into the visual narrative, creating a captivating blend of charm and tension.
The use of rich cultural elements in Zhang’s films creates a unique landscape within the global cinematic realm, reflecting a profound sense of cultural confidence that shines brightly on the world stage as he expands his artistic pursuits.
During the highly acclaimed opening & closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Zhang masterfully fused the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization with modern technology, showcasing the unique romance, timelessness, profoundness and dynamism of Chinese culture to the world through contemporary artistic expressions.
