Zhang Yimou once again served as chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Winter Olympics, using technological means such as LED floor screens and digital algorithms to present an ethereal and romantic Olympic opening ceremony.
The immersive red performance project "Zuiyi Shaoshanchong", with Zhang Yimou as chief director, premiered in Shaoshan, Hunan, applying modern lighting matrix technology to the red culture promotion of Mao Zedong's life.
Zhang Yimou served as chief director of the gala celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, directing thousands of amateur performers to present a scene of a prosperous era through light-and-shadow screens and fireworks.
Zhang Yimou directed the water-based scenic symphonic concert "Hangzhou, a Memory Forever" at the Hangzhou G20 Summit, presenting a gentle and open image of China to the world through Jiangnan landscapes and classical symphonic music.
The fact that Zhang Yimou and Chen Ting had three children in violation of the birth policy was publicly exposed, after which the Binhu District Family Planning Bureau of Wuxi City collected more than 7.48 million yuan in social maintenance fees from them.
Zhang Yimou served as chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games, presenting the country's image and a visual spectacle to the world through massive human formations and militaristically precise choreography.
The open-air landscape performance "Impression·Liu Sanjie," directed by Zhang Yimou, officially premiered in Yangshuo, Guangxi, marking the beginning of Zhang Yimou's deep involvement in local tourism and entertainment business operations.
Zhang Yimou's commercial wuxia film Hero premiered at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, eventually grossing over 200 million yuan in the mainland and ushering in the era of Chinese commercial blockbusters.
Zhang Yimou's film “To Live” won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and Ge You won the award for Best Actor. The film was not released in mainland China because it directly confronted the devastation inflicted on ordinary people by political campaigns such as the Cultural Revolution.
Red Sorghum, directed by Zhang Yimou and adapted from Mo Yan's novel, won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first Chinese film to receive the honor; Zhang Yimou thus transitioned from cinematographer to internationally renowned director.