Tokyo International Film Festival to honor Zhang Yimou. Check his achievements, Oscar-nominated movies
Tokyo International Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award in «recognition of his extraordinary career and long-standing contributions to the film industry.» He will be presented with the honor at the Tokyo festival’s opening ceremony on October 23. Zhang Yimou will take part in a special talk session at the TIFF Lounge, a panel series by noted Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda.
Zhang Yimou thanks organizers
Reacting to the honor the Chinese filmmaker said in a statement, «I would like to express my gratitude to the Tokyo International Film Festival for presenting me with this award. I would also like to thank everyone for their encouragement and support. Considering this as one starting point, I will continue my efforts to understand the essence of cinema and make great films.»
He said further, " When Kurosawa Akira received an Academy Honorary Award in 1990, I was in the audience still as a fledgling filmmaker. His words in his speech, “I have not yet grasped the essence of cinema,” are still fresh in my mind."
'Fifth Generation' of filmmakers
Zhang Yimou is considered one of the most prominent of China's fabled 'Fifth Generation' of filmmakers. He made his debut in 1988 with 'Red Sorghum', which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Oscar-nominated films
Zhang has directed 25 feature films, including, 'Ju Dou' (1990), 'Raise the Red Lantern' (1991), and 'Hero' (2003), these movies were nominated for Oscar in the Best International Film category. Besides, his films 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers', are among China’s most internationally successful commercial films of all time. These movies earned $147 million and $83 million, respectively, in the international market.
