Exclusive: Zhang Yimou on his next project and his long career

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After winning the Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker award at this year's Venice Film Festival, Zhang Yimou added another distinction to his long and spectacular career.

One of China's best known directors, Zhang Yimou sat with CGTN to discuss the visual style of his action-epic "Shadow," as well as his upcoming project about a prisoner who escapes his cell just to watch a film.

Below is an edited version of the interview.

Chinese director Zhang Yimou walks the red carpet during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande, in Venice, Italy on September 6, 2018. /VCG Photo

Venice award honors filmmaker's commitment to innovation

Zhang: I regard the Venice Film Festival as something like an old friend. It has been a constant companion during my career. For more than three decades, I've made a number of films that won awards and gained recognition here in Venice. It's like revisiting an old friend this time."

"The award aims to encourage innovation. I think this is exactly in agreement with my pursuit while making movies. I've always liked innovation. I've always tried to be different. Only innovation can lead to progress," says Zhang.

Zhang Yimou at the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande in Venice, Italy on September 6, 2018 /VCG Photo

New action epic 'Shadow' comes with fresh visual style

Zhang: "Perhaps most Western audiences have known my use of bold and bright colors. They may especially like my approach as a colorist. But the traditional arts of China stress the elegance of ink and water. That has fascinated me. But I haven't come across a suitable story for this particular visual style until now."

"Shooting this film was a very interesting experience. To fully demonstrate the ink-wash style, we set almost all the scenes in wet weather."

"We shot all the outdoor scenes in the rain. Also, we incorporated Chinese philosophies like yin and yang."

"I find it a very apt metaphor of human nature. Just like in ink wash art, there're so many ambiguities in the human heart. Rather than black and white, the ink wash style plays with all the varying degrees of grey. Such a tonal variety is exactly the charm of ink wash paintings."

"It's the same with people. You cannot label them simply as good guys and villains. The variety and complexity are the most fascinating."

Venice Film Festival Director Alberto Barbera introduces Chinese Director Zhang Yimou to receive The Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory To The Filmmaker Award during the 75th Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande in Venice, Italy on September 6, 2018. /VCG Photo

China's film industry needs more international exchanges

Zhang: "Apart from the European majors like Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, there're hundreds of film festivals in the world. I think they are excellent platforms for exchanges. We come to know each other and to understand each other. So the film is like a bridge that connects us all."

"Even with the huge size of its domestic market, I think China still needs to take part in more film festivals abroad. You have to promote yourself and make yourself understood to a wider audience. There are lots of box-office hits in China."

"But it is also essential that we make films that appeal to an international audience. The film is a means for one nation to talk to another."

"Also, filmmakers have to learn constantly in order to improve their craft. I hope China's young directors especially will attend more international festivals. "

"There they can open their eyes, in addition to promoting themselves. The size of China's film market calls for greater variety."

Zhang Yimou poses with the 2018 Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory To The Filmmaker Award ahead of the Ying (Shadow) screening during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande in Venice, Italy, September 6, 2018 /VCG Photo

Next project: A story about a prison-breaking film buff

"Before coming to Venice, I just wrapped up the shooting of my next movie. It's called 'One Second.' It's a film about seeing a film. It's a story about a regular guy, a prisoner actually. In order to see a film, he managed to sneak out of the prison premises."

"The story unfolds over a single night, and I found the plot very intriguing. I've wanted to tell such a story for years."

"I like trying new things and experimenting with different styles and genres. My projects tend to overlap with one another. Usually, the next story will be of a different nature than the previous one, sometimes the polar opposite."

"This is my way of expanding my range as a filmmaker. Also, it gives me the opportunity to learn new things about the art of cinema."