Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy: The Genesis of China’s Fifth Generation (Asia-Pacific: Culture, Politics, and Society) [Paperback]

Zhen Ni (Author), Chris Berry (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Asia-Pacific: Culture, Politics, and Society | Publication Date: January 9, 2003

After graduating from the Beijing Film Academy in 1982, directors like Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou transformed Chinese cinema with Farewell My Concubine, Yellow Earth, Raise the Red Lantern, and other international successes. Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy tells the riveting story of this class of 1982, China’s famous "Fifth Generation" of filmmakers. It is the first insider’s account of this renowned cohort to appear in English. Covering these directors’ formative experiences during China’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution and later at the Beijing Film Academy, Ni Zhen—who was both their screenwriter and teacher—provides unique insights into the origins of the Fifth Generation’s creativity. Drawing on his personal knowledge and interviews conducted especially for this volume, Ni Zhen demonstrates the diversity of the Fifth Generation. He comments on the breadth of styles and themes explored by its members and introduces a range of male and female directors, cinematographers, and production designers famous in China but less well-known internationally. The book contains vivid descriptions of the production processes of two pioneering films—One and Eight and Yellow Earth.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

From 1980 to 2000, Ni Zhen taught art direction and film theory at the Beijing Film Academy, whose 1982 graduates included Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine) and Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern). Drawing on anecdotes and interviews, the author assuredly charts the particular set of circumstances that led up to the international success of those and other members of the "Fifth Generation." Rather than focus on their body of work, Ni Zhen shows how those young men and their colleagues came out of the dark days of the Cultural Revolution and into the light of worldwide acclaim. Readers need not be familiar with Chinese film and film history; via the fascinating and often amusing tales of their youth and academy exploits, they will be engaged. An excellent introduction to the Fifth Generation (and, as far as this reviewer can discern, the first insider's view of the academy in English), this is highly recommended for larger public and academic libraries.
Rie Sheridan, Austin, TX
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Ni Zhen was himself one of the educators of the Fifth Generation, so he has been able to give a full and accurate account of what happened then on the basis of his own first-hand evidence. He also gives a detailed scholarly analysis of the origins of the Fifth Generation and the particular conditions that produced this art movement. Reading his book not only gave me intellectual pleasure, but also took me back to those unforgettable times.”—Chen Kaige, director of Farewell My Concubine and Yellow Earth

“Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy: The Origins of China’s Fifth Generation Filmmakers brings back memories for me. It tells the true story of how I moved from ignorance to full maturity along with a group of my peers. Everyone faces challenges of some sort in their youth. They become life’s most beautiful memories. That means this is not just a book about film, but also a book about human life. Once youth is over it never returns, and so we treasure it in our hearts. Thank you, Professor Ni Zhen, for writing this inspiring book.”—Zhang Yimou, director of Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Dou, and Not One Less

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Duke University Press Books (January 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822329700
• ISBN-13: 978-0822329701
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,202,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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