Zhao Fei (, ; born 1961) is a Chinese cinematographer and frequent collaborator to many directors of China's so-called "fifth generation" film movement. Zhao also served as Woody Allen's director of photography for three films between 1998 and 2001.
Biography Born in 1961 in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Zhao was the son of an architect. Growing up during the turbulent years of the Cultural Revolution, Zhao began his career in film when he applied to the newly reopened Beijing Film Academy in 1978. Zhao would study cinematography and graduate in 1982 with others of the so-called "fifth generation" including directors Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, and Tian Zhuangzhuang.
Working throughout the 1980s, Zhao would act as the director of photography ("DOP") for Tian Zhuangzhuang's The Horse Thief, Huang Jianxin's Samsara, and others. In 1991, Zhao worked with director Zhang Yimou on his magnum opus, Raise the Red Lantern. For Zhao, the production of Raise the Red Lantern was a crucial turning point, allowing him to synthesize his previous experiences with painting and art and his current responsibilities as a cinematographer.
By the late 1990s, Zhao had built up an impressive resume, but little would prepare him for the working with Chen Kaige on his historical epic The Emperor and the Assassin. Chen specifically asked for Zhao to work as the DOP for the project, realizing that the ambitious scope of the film would need someone who was disciplined but resourceful. Zhao's work on The Emperor and the Assassin would take up months and then years, and required Zhao to research historical castles, fortifications, and the minutiae of China's Warring States period. The actual production was equally intense, as Zhao would often have to create makeshift dollies and other contraptions to capture shots.
By this point, Zhao's work in China had caught the eye of international filmmakers, and Zhao would serve as the DOP for three of American director Woody Allen's films, beginning with Sweet and Lowdown. Allen had first noticed Zhao's work from Raise the Red Lantern, though Zhao claims that he is unsure why Allen selected him. The production on Sweet and Lowdown was difficult at times, given Zhao's lack of English-speaking abilities and the difficulties of keeping a translator on set at all times. But both Zhao and Allen walked away from the experience pleased with the collaboration, and Zhao would work with Allen on two more films. Allen, himself, praised the Chinese cinematographer, comparing Zhao favorably with Allen's past DOPs, including Carlo Di Palma, Gordon Willis, and Sven Nykvist.
Filmography YearEnglish TitleChinese TitleDirectorNotes1986The Horse Thief盗马贼Tian ZhuangzhuangWith Hou Yong1987Death Visits the Living一个死者对生者的访问Huang Jianzhong1988Unforgettable Life特别手术室Tian Zhuangzhuang1988Samsara轮回Huang Jianxin1991Li Lianying: The Imperial Eunuch大太监李莲英Tian Zhuangzhuang1992Raise the Red Lantern大红灯笼高高挂Zhang YimouWinner of the 1993 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best CinematographyWinner of the 1992 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography1995Forbidden City: The Great WithinN/ADocumentary for the Discovery Channel1995Sweet Grass甘草Zhou Youchou1996The Sun Has Ears太阳有耳Yim Ho1997Dragon Town Story龙城正月Yang Fengliang1997Concerto of Life生命如歌Xia Gang1998Be There or Be Square不见不散Feng Xiaogang1998The Emperor and the Assassin荊柯刺秦王Chen KaigeWinner of the 1999 Golden Rooster for Best Cinematography1999Sweet and LowdownN/AWoody Allen2000Small Time CrooksN/AWoody Allen2001The Curse of the Jade ScorpionN/AWoody Allen2003Warriors of Heaven and Earth天地英雄He Ping2003Cell Phone手机Feng Xiaogang2007The Sun Also Rises太阳照常升起Jiang WenWith Lee Ping-bing and Yang Tao2009Iron Men铁人Yin Li2010Driverless无人驾驶Zhang Yang2010Let the Bullets Fly让子弹飞Jiang Wen2012Guns and Roses黄金大劫案Ning Hao2014The Crossing太平轮John Woo2015The Left Ear左耳Alec Su
References
External links
Zhao Fei at the Chinese Movie Database