Born in 1967, Zhang Yang received his BA in Chinese Literature from Zhongshan University (Guangdong Province) in 1988 and continued his study in the Directing Department of the Central Drama Academy in Beijing. After graduating from CDA in 1992, he entered the Beijing Film Studio and is now working for the studio as a director. Zhang Yang uses a realistic style, and achieved great recognition for his 1999 independent production Xizao, which was successful at Chinese box offices as well as international film festivals. This was followed in 2001 by Zuotian (“Quitting” in its American release). The actors in this unusual story about a real actor, Jia Hongsheng, and his struggle with drug addiction are Jia himself, Jia’s parents, fellow inmates in a mental institution, the director, Zhang, and others playing themselves. The relationship between parents and their grown children is as central to this film as it was in Shower.
Filmography
Director:
落叶归根 (2007)
… aka Getting Home (International: English title)
向日葵 (2005)
… aka Sunflower (International: English title)
昨天 (2001)
… aka Quitting (International: English title)
洗澡 (1999)
… aka Shower (USA)
爱情麻辣烫 (1997)
… aka Spicy Love Soup (International: English title)
Writer:
落叶归根 (2007)
… aka Getting Home (International: English title)
向日葵 (2005)
… aka Sunflower (International: English title)
昨天 (2001)
… aka Quitting (International: English title)
洗澡 (1999)
… aka Shower (USA)
Aiqing mala tang (1997)
… aka Spicy Love Soup (International: English title)