Zhang Jianya (, ) (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.Zhang, Yingjin & Xiao, Zhiwei (1998). "Zhang Jianya" in Encyclopedia of Chinese Film. Taylor & Francis, p. 387. .
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.Clark, Paul (2005). "Zhang Jianya" in Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture, edited by Edward Lawrence Davis. Routledge, p. 997. . 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 YearEnglish TitleChinese TitleNotes1982Red Elephant红象Co-directed with Tian Zhuangzhuang and Xie Xiaojing1986Trapped in a Frozen River冰河死亡线Solo-debut; also known as Ice River1987The Tribulations of Young Master少爷的磨难Co-directed with Wu Yigong1988Kidnapping Karajan绑架卡拉扬1992San Mao Joins the Army三毛从军记1993Mr. Wang: Flames of Desire王先生之欲火焚身1994Narrow Escape绝境逢生1999Crash Landing紧急迫降2000Happy Angels开心哆来咪2003Red Snow極地營救2007Call for Love爱情呼叫转移2007The Dream is Alive东方大港2008Fit Lover爱情呼叫转移2: 爱情左右2014My Amazing Trip to India My Amazing Trip to India (2014)First Chinese film on India
References
External links
Zhang Jianya at the Chinese Film Database