Zhao Tao
Template:Chinese-name Template:Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor
Zhao Tao (born 28 January 1977) is a famous Chinese actress. She works in China and Europe, has over 10 films to her credit since starting her career in 1999 and is the muse of director Jia Zhangke. Zhao first came into international prominence through close collaboration with Chinese director Jia Zhangke and is credited with helping to bring Chinese cinema to Europe, especially Italy. As Shun Li in Io sono Li, her best starring role to date, she became the first Asian actress to win a prize at David di Donatello. Zhao's native language is Jin, but she also speaks Italian, Mandarin and Szechuanese.
Biography
She was born January 28, 1977, in Taiyuan, Shanxi, which is also the hometown of the heroine in Still Life. As a child, she studied classical Chinese dance. In 1996, she enrolled in the folk dance department at Beijing Dance Academy. After graduation, she became a dance teacher in Taiyuan Normal College, where she was spotted by Jia during casting for Platform.[1] Since then they work frequently together.
In 2011 she starred in the Italian movie Shun Li and the Poet by Andrea Segre, the movie was screened in the Venice Days section of the 68th Venice International Film Festival.[2] Zhao won the David di Donatello Award, the Italian Oscar, for Best Actress for her bilingual role.
Personal life
On January 7, 2012 she married director Jia Zhangke.
Complete Filmography
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Platform | 站台 | Yin Ruijuan | Ensemble |
| 2002 | Unknown Pleasures | 任逍遥 | Qiao Qiao | Lead |
| 2004 | The World | 世界 | Tao | Lead |
| 2006 | Still Life | 三峡好人 | Shen Hong | Lead |
| 2007 | Our Ten Years | Women 德石年 | - | Lead |
| 2008 | 24 City | 二十四城记 | Su Na | Ensemble |
| 2008 | Dada's Dance | Dada | - | Ensemble |
| 2008 | Cry Me a River | 河上的愛情 | Zhou Qi | Lead |
| 2009 | Remembrance | 念石 | - | Lead |
| 2010 | Ten Thousand Waves | - | Blue Goddess | Ensemble |
| 2011 | Shun Li and the Poet | - | Shun Li | Lead |
| 2013 | A Touch of Sin | 天注定 | Xiao Yu | Ensemble |
| TBA | Mountains May Depart | 山河故人 |
References
- ^ "Constant Muse: Jia Zhangke's leading lady Zhao Tao". China Film Journal. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
- ^ "5 September". La Biennale di venezia. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
External links
- Conversation with Zhao Tao and Jia Zhangke at Asia Society
- Zhao Tao at IMDb
- "Zhao Tao: Step on the Bright Road to Cannes"
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