Zhang Yimou plans to direct first online drama in over three decades
China Daily2023-04-13 13:43
Director Zhang Yimou (right) and actor Zhang Yi are pictured during a sideline interview with reporters shortly before the award ceremony.[Photo provided to China Daily]
With blockbustersSnipersandFull River Redin his repertoire, filmmaker Zhang Yimou won the Annual Outstanding Director award of the 2022-2023 M-Chart, an industrial honor organized by China Movie Channel, the country's most influential movie broadcaster.
The award ceremony, which gathered around 100 top actors, actresses and musicians, was held in Jingzhou, Hubei province on April 9.
Known as a leading figure in China's "fifth-generation directors", Zhang is one of the country's most internationally recognized auteur. His recent historic suspense film,Full River Red, has raked in 4.54 billion yuan ($659.4 million) to become the highest-grossing movie of Zhang's 36-year directorial career.
Zhang Yimou received the Annual Outstanding Director award at this year's M-Chart, a yearly honor organized by China Movie Channel, in Jingzhou, Hubei province, on April 9.[Photo provided to China Daily]
Interestingly, in a sideline interview with Chinese reporters before the ceremony, Zhang revealed that he plans to directLeague of Legends, an online drama inspired by the eponymous video game. The story is about an e-sports legend and a high school student who exchange souls.
The news quickly spread online, exemplified by the fact that the hashtag for Zhang's first online drama has earned 290 million clicks on the popular microblogging platform Sina Weibo.
Aside from Zhang, a string of A-list celebrities also received the M-Chart awards, including the annual outstanding contribution award for actor Li Xuejian, the annual outstanding actor award co-won by Wu Jing and Zhang Yi, as well as the annual outstanding actress award going to Xi Meijuan and Yuan Quan.
Actor Li Xuejian takes home the Annual Outstanding Contribution Award.[Photo provided to China Daily]
Actors Zhang Yi (left) and Wu Jing jointly win the Annual Outstanding Actor Award.[Photo provided to China Daily]
Actresses Yuan Quan (left) and Xi Meijuan co-win the Annual Outstanding Actress Award.[Photo provided to China Daily]