Talk:Zhang Yimou

the bit about "Chinese Leni Riefenstahl"

Some anonymous user keeps deleting this sourced statement, on the grounds of partiality from the publisher, the New York Times, generally considered to be one of the most authoritative publications worldwide, fitting without a doubt the criteria laid down by Wikipedia:Reliable sources. Needless to say I think he's wrong, and also a little biased.--Piccolo Modificatore Laborioso (talk) 10:31, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

I don't know, the person does have a point. Any reference to Leni Riefenstahl can be polarizing after all. I think the reference should be kept in the article, but right now, it is given rather undue prominence in the introduction, and it gives only one perspective on Zhang's role of the Summer Olympics. If anything it should be put in the section on the Opening Ceremonies (which needs to be expanded with global reactions anyways).Tryptofeng (talk) 14:34, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

Upon reading the article, I think the reference as it stands is even less proper. First, it refers not so much to the Opening Ceremonies, but rather as a blanket criticism of Zhang for his recent shift in film style and new close relationship to the government. As such, I think it can be kept in the introduction, but it definitely needs more context. For example, "Though Zhang Yimou's early career was marked by government interference and censorship problems, recently he has been seen to embrace the government, with many of films, such as the controversial but internationally successfulHero, being seen as glorification of Chinese authoritarianism.(ref) Criticisms leveled against Zhang include that he has become something of a Chinese Leni Riefenstahl.(ref) His newly popular position among President Hu Jintao's administration nevertheless has allowed Zhang opportunities that were unavailable to him in the earlier part of his career, including the directing of Beijing's Opening Olympics." Any reactions to the Opening ceremonies, both positive and negative, could be left in that section.Tryptofeng (talk) 14:53, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

That's fine for the lead then--I'll play with it a bit and put that in. --Asdfg12345 00:31, 1 January 2009 (UTC)

I think one has to consider how to structure an encyclopedia article about film directors. For living person, see Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons#Presumption_in_favor_of_privacy. The led section serves as a summary, thus should be concise and be an introduction. See how other director's articles led section are summarized, it definitely shouldn't include specific criticism about the director's career. About the discussed New York Times article, the article itself was citing "opinion", not stating fact. The piece states "critics of Zhang..." It can stay on the article, but the lead section should be a summarized section. Trimmed the lead and moved the statements chronologically according to the director's career since it is a recent piece.--TheLeopard (talk) 00:32, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

CCP involvement?

A chinese film history professor told me Zhang exposed his father as a KMT sympathizer to the Chinese Communist Party when he was 15, and had him arrested. Does anyone know if this is true? --NEMT 02:53, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

-> Your professor was likely talking about Chen Kaige, see [1]. I'm not sure if Zhang Yimou did so also, but he was a member of the Red Guard, like many young people in his generation.--Tryptofeng 15:30, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't believe so, I'm pretty sure Kaige Chen was compelled into red guard activities, as many of his films contain an anti-mao slant (emperor and assassin when compared to hero, most notably), whereas Zhang Yimou appears to have actively embraced it and openly endorses chinese sabre rattling. I may also just be remembering all of this incorrectly though, as it would be a pretty big coincidence if both had similar stories about their fathers, despite different beliefs. --NEMT 05:11, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Did you click on the link? It's pretty well established that Chen Kaige denounced his own father (just do a google search to see interviews where he himself discusses it). His attitudes in his films are perhaps a direct reflection of his remorse over his actions.Tryptofeng 05:07, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

Format?

So I'm not really a fan of the current format of the article, in particular the movie by movie division. It feels disjointed and it becomes kind of difficult to discuss the bigger trends in Zhang's films (i.e. the recent big budget films and their backlash, the mid-early 90s streak of international art house hits, and the early forays into film in the 80s). Anyone else agreeTryptofeng 15:52, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Character

Why is it stated that he 'had to sell his blood'? He did not have to sell his blood, he chose to sell his blood. During his university years he was financially supported by his peasant wife, who did not earn very much. He repaid her by having affairs and finally dumping her. A great film director he may be, but his character defect is that he has no sense of responsibility to or respect for anyone who sacrificed their life to help him and give him what he desired. This is reflected in his directing, there are lots of superficial effects such as the intense colors, but no deeper meaning than the 'I must have' attitude. 217.42.58.201 (talk) 03:31, 14 January 2009 (UTC)