Quick Facts
Biography
Lü Yue (simplified Chinese: 吕乐; traditional Chinese: 呂樂, born December 1957) is a Chinese cinematographer and film director.
Early life
In December 1957, Lu was born in Tianjin, China.
Career
Lü is today among the most important cinematographers of recent Chinese cinema, and is particularly well known for his collaborations with director Zhang Yimou with whom he served as director of photography in three films. Lü was nominated for an Academy Award for best cinematographer for Zhang's film Shanghai Triad. He has also served as cinematographer for other Fifth Generation directors such as Tian Zhuangzhuang (for 1985's On the Hunting Ground) as well as for older directors, such as Huang Shuqin (for 1994's A Soul Haunted by Painting). More recently he served as cinematographer for actress Joan Chen's directorial effort, Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl, a film in which he also played a small part as the titular character's father.
Lü has also found measured success as director; his debut film, Mr. Zhao, was well-received, winning the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival.
Filmography
As cinematographer
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | On the Hunting Ground | 猎场扎撒 | Tian Zhuangzhuang |
| 1987 | Buddha's Lock | 天菩萨 | Yim Ho |
| 1994 | A Soul Haunted by Painting | 画魂 | Huang Shuqin |
| 1994 | To Live | 活着 | Zhang Yimou |
| 1995 | Shanghai Triad | 摇啊摇，摇到外婆桥 | Zhang Yimou |
| 1997 | Keep Cool | 有话好好说 | Zhang Yimou |
| 1998 | Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl | 天浴 | Joan Chen |
| 1999 | A Beautiful New World | 美丽新世界 | Shi Runjiu |
| 2000 | Breaking the Silence | 漂亮妈妈 | Sun Zhou |
| 2002 | For All Eternity | 芬妮的微笑 | Hu Mei |
| 2003 | The Legend of the Evil Lake | NA | Lee Kwang-hoon |
| 2007 | Assembly | 集结号 | Feng Xiaogang |
| 2008 | Red Cliff | 赤壁 | John Woo |
| 2008 | If You Are the One | 非诚勿扰 | Feng Xiaogang |
| 2010 | Aftershock | 唐山大地震 | Feng Xiaogang |
As director
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-1987 | Nujiang, La Vallée Perdue | 怒江，一条丢失的峡谷 | Best Film of 1990 Paris Anthropology Film Festival |
| 1998 | Mr. Zhao | 赵先生 | Golden Leopard at Locarno |
| 2003 | The Foliage | 美人草 | |
| 1999-2006 | The Obscure | 小说 | |
| 2006 | Thirteen Princess Trees | 十三棵泡桐 | Special Jury Prize at Tokyo |
Awards
- Paris Anthropology Film Festival, 1990
- Best Film for Nujiang, La Vallée Perdue
- Camerimage Awards, 1995
- Golden Frog for Shanghai Triad (nominated)
- 48th Cannes Film Festival, 1995
- Best Technology Award for Shanghai Triad
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards, 1995
- Best Cinematography for Shanghai Triad
- New York Film Critics Circle Awards, 1995
- Best Cinematography for Shanghai Triad
- 67th Academy Awards, 1996
- Best Cinematography for Shanghai Triad (nominated)
- 68th Oscar Awards, 1996
- Best Cinematography for Shanghai Triad (nominated)
- Locarno International Film Festival, 1998
- Golden Leopard for Mr. Zhao
- AFI Fest, 1998
- Grand Jury Prize for Mr. Zhao (nominated)
- 19th Tokyo International Film Festival, 2006
- Special Jury Prize for Thirteen Princess Trees
- 7th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 2013
- Achievement in Cinematography for Back to 1942
- Festival Internationale del Film Di Roma AIC, 2012
- Best Cinematography Award for Back to 1942