Zhang Yimou Family Tree: The Story Behind Raise the Red Lantern

Zhang Yimou, born 2 April 1950 in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, is China's most-globally-known filmmaker — Red Sorghum (1988 — Berlin Golden Bear), Ju Dou (1990), Raise the Red Lantern (1991), The Story of Qiu Ju (1992 — Venice Golden Lion), To Live (1994), Hero (2002), House of Flying Daggers (2004), Curse of the Golden Flower (2006); directed Beijing 2008 Olympics opening ceremony (called world's greatest); Cannes/Venice/Berlin all top-prize winner.

The Family's Roots: A Xi'an Family (Persecuted Under Mao)

Father was a Nationalist Army officer — Zhang family persecuted during Cultural Revolution.

His Parents

Father: Zhang Bingjun — Nationalist Army medical officer; branded a class enemy under Mao.

Mother: Zhang — doctor.

His Wives

Xiao Hua (m. 1978, div. 1988) — his first cousin.

Chen Ting (m. 12 December 2011) — Chinese; had 3 children with Zhang before marriage.

His Daughter (with Xiao Hua)

Zhang Mo, born 1983 — daughter; filmmaker.

His Children (with Chen Ting)

Zhang Yiding, born May 2001 — son.

Zhang Yinan (Corinne), born December 2004 — daughter.

Zhang Yiman, born 2006 — son.

The Zhang Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Zhang Bingjun — Nationalist Army medical officer.

Mother: doctor.

First Wife: Xiao Hua (m. 1978, div. 1988) — first cousin.

Wife: Chen Ting (m. 12 December 2011).

Children (Xiao): Zhang Mo (b. 1983) — filmmaker.

Children (Chen): Zhang Yiding (b. May 2001); Zhang Yinan (b. December 2004); Zhang Yiman (b. 2006).

Zhang Yimou:

  • Born 2 April 1950, Xi'an
  • Cultural Revolution: 3 years peasant, 7 years mill worker
  • Beijing Film Academy 1978 (special admission at 27 — over-age)
  • Cinematographer Yellow Earth (1984) then director
  • Red Sorghum (1988): Golden Bear; Gong Li breakthrough
  • Beijing 2008 Olympics opening/closing ceremonies director
  • 2013-14 one-child-policy fine: 7.5M yuan ($1.2M) — 3 children with Chen Ting

What the Zhang Family Story Teaches Us

A Nationalist Army medical-officer father persecuted under Mao. A first marriage to a cousin ending in divorce. A second wife with 3 more children (during one-child policy — resulting $1.2M fine). Four children total including a filmmaker daughter. A career that combined Golden Bear, Golden Lion, and the Beijing Olympics ceremony.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Zhang story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross Cultural Revolution mill work to the world's biggest Olympic ceremony.

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