Zhang Jizhong

Zhang Jizhong (born May 23, 1951) is a Chinese director and producer. He is known for (co-)producing the CCTV adaptations of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and The Water Margin, as well as for directing TV adaptations of Louis Cha's wuxia novels.

Early life In Zhang's early life, he and his seven siblings endured many hardships because his father served as a county head for the Kuomintang. In the sixth grade, with the encouragement of one of his school teachers, he applied for the PLA School of Fine Arts, but was rejected after a background check on his father's political status, even though he passed the exams. Before 1972, he also applied to China's Central Academy of Drama and other schools, but his application was still rejected after a political check, despite passing the entrance requirements. During the Cultural Revolution, Zhang was sent to work in the countryside as part of the Down to the Countryside Movement, where he worked in a coal mining town in Shanxi for six years. Zhang faxed Cha a reply and the next day, Cha gave Zhang the permission to choose one from his 14 novels. Zhang bought a frame, carved some patterns on it, inserted a one yuan note and gave it to Cha, who was pleased by the gift and the two have collaborated since then. Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils was broadcast in 2003. Zhang's adaptations of Cha's works received mixed reviews. Each of the three films in the trilogy is expected to have a budget of $100 million, which would make them the most expensive films made in Chinese history. John Woo's Red Cliff budgeted roughly $80 million and currently holds the record for the Chinese film with the highest budget. Zhang is also developing a theme park, an online game and a television series based on his company's digitized content of Sun Wukong and Journey to the West.

Recognition In recent years, many of Zhang's works have brought in strong social and media response and considerable financial benefits. In a seminar, Zhang was referred to as the "Number One Producer in Chinese Television" by experts in Chinese television and film industry for his contributions on the landscape of film production in China from a director centered system to a producer centered system. In China, producers usually only play the roles of logistic managers and accountants, but Zhang redefined the role of a film producer in China by coordinating all the aspects of the production, bearing responsibility for screenwriting, directing, creative staff, investment, media relations, casting, social issues, and personal matters. Traditionally, most of this work was handled by the film director,

Zhang was nominated as a candidate for the 2007 Green Chinese Awards, an award ceremony run by the China Environment Culture Promotion Association (CECPA).

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1981 Wu Lian舞恋 1982 Taiwan Yihen台湾遗恨

Television Year Title Role Notes 1983 Yang Jia Jiang杨家将 Yang Yanzhao 1989 One Hundred Years of Suffering百年忧患 producer Won Five One Award 1989 The People's Policeman有这样一个民警 producer Won Flying Goddess Award 1990 Good Man Yan Juqian好人燕居谦 producer Won Flying Goddess Award, Five One Award 1990 Vice Squad General刑警队长 producer 1994 Romance of the Three Kingdoms三国演义 producer Won Flying Goddess Award, Golden Eagle Awards, Five One Award 1995 Trench People沟里人 producer Won Flying Goddess Awards, Five One Award 1998 The Water Margin水浒传 "Cui Jing", producer Won Golden Eagle Awards, Flying Goddess Award, Five One Award 1999 Blue Enchantress蓝色妖姬 producer 2001 Laughing in the Wind笑傲江湖 "Wang Yuanba", producer 2002 Qing Yi青衣 "Huzi", producer Won Flying Goddess Award 2002 Knife of Guanxi关西无极刀 "King of Loulan" 2003 The Legend of the Condor Heroes射雕英雄传 "Wang Chongyang", producer 2003 Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils天龙八部 "Wang Jiantong", producer Won Golden Eagle Awards 2003 Day of Passion and Spirit激情燃烧的岁月 producer Won Golden Eagle Award, Flying Goddess Awards, Five One Award 2004 Hero During Yongle Period永乐英雄儿女 producer 2004 Farmer Labourer民工 producer 2004 The Proud Twins小鱼儿与花无缺 "Old Hongye" 2006 The Return of the Condor Heroes神雕侠侣 "Yelü Chucai", producer Won Tom Online Award, Chinese TV Drama Award 2006 Heroes on Lüliang Mountain吕梁英雄传 producer Won Five One Award, Golden Eagle Award 2006 Abao De Gushi阿宝的故事 producer 2007 Sword Stained with Royal Blood碧血剑 "Meng Bofei", producer 2008 Royal Tramp鹿鼎记 producer Won XTEP and Tencent 2008 Awards 2008 Bing Sheng兵圣 producer 2008 Paladins in Troubled Times大唐游侠传 producer 2009 The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber倚天屠龙记 producer 2009 Nima's Summer尼玛的夏天 producer 2011 Journey to the West西游记 "Taishang Laojun", producer 2011 Flight Attendant Diary空姐的日记 producer TBA Yanhuang Da Di炎黄大帝 producer TBA Juhua Zui菊花醉 producer 2017 Ode to Gallantry俠客行 producer