Quick Facts
Biography
Zhang Jianya (Chinese: 张建亚, pronounced [ʈʂɑ́ŋ tɕi̯ɛ̂ni̯â]) (born 1951) is a Chinese film director. As a graduate of the 1982 class of the Beijing Film Academy, Zhang is a founding member of the so-called Fifth Generation, a group that also includes in its numbers directors such as Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Tian Zhuangzhuang.
Directorial career
Trained as a carpenter, Zhang's cinematic career began when he joined the Shanghai Film Studio in the mid-1970s as an actor. Upon his graduation in 1982, Zhang directed the children's film, Red Elephant, with his classmates, Tian, and Xie Xiaojing, and helped the studio head Wu Yigong direct the 1987 West German co-production, The Tribulations of Young Master. Beginning with 1988's Kidnapping Karajan, Zhang has carved himself a niche with urban comedies, often based in the city of Shanghai.
Zhang Jianya has also expanded his interests into producing in his role as the head of the 3rd Creative Group at the Shanghai Film Studio, as well as into other genres, including action-thrillers such as 1999's Crash Landing and 2002's Red Snow.
Selected filmography
As director
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Red Elephant | 红象 | Co-directed with Tian Zhuangzhuang and Xie Xiaojing |
| 1986 | Trapped in a Frozen River | 冰河死亡线 | Solo-debut; also known as Ice River |
| 1987 | The Tribulations of Young Master | 少爷的磨难 | Co-directed with Wu Yigong |
| 1988 | Kidnapping Karajan | 绑架卡拉扬 | |
| 1992 | San Mao Joins the Army | 三毛从军记 | |
| 1993 | Mr. Wang: Flames of Desire | 王先生之欲火焚身 | |
| 1994 | Narrow Escape | 绝境逢生 | |
| 1999 | Crash Landing | 紧急迫降 | |
| 2000 | Happy Angels | 开心哆来咪 | |
| 2003 | Red Snow | 極地營救 | |
| 2007 | Call for Love | 爱情呼叫转移 | |
| 2007 | The Dream is Alive | 东方大港 | |
| 2008 | Fit Lover | 爱情呼叫转移2: 爱情左右 | |
| 2014 | My Amazing Trip to India | First Chinese film on India |