Daggers my raise Zhang's profile in America, but he's not exactly angling to be Hollywood's next big player. And in any event, his stature in China couldn't be any greater. Having directed Beijing's successful video bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics, as well as a stunning eight-minute sequence at Athens' closing ceremonies, he will likely helm the 2008 Games' opening show. He's also currently filming Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles, the story of a Japanese man (Ken Takakura) who comes to China with his son. ''After the end of the Cultural Revolution, [Takakura] was in the first non-Chinese film I saw, so I consider him one of my youthful idols,'' says Zhang. ''Since he really wanted to collaborate with me, I prepared this script for him.'' Lightning fast, Zhang edits as he shoots. ''I'm a rare director,'' he says. ''I film by day and edit at night until two or three in the morning, so basically, 15 to 20 days after we finish filming, I'm already done with my first cut.''

Which only makes the color and texture of his films all the more remarkable. Zhang embraces his reputation for creating strong visual impressions. Still, he says, ''I hope audiences will remember my characters and their emotions. Then I would be even happier.''

Originally posted Dec 13, 2004 Published in issue #797 Dec 17, 2004 Order article reprints
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