Zhang Jizhong
Zhang Jizhong | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zhang directing on set | |||||||||||
| Born | May 23, 1951 | ||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Film director, producer, actor, teacher and writer | ||||||||||
| Years active | 1981–present | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 張紀中 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 张纪中 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Musical career | |||||||||||
| Also known as | "Beardy" | ||||||||||
Zhang Jizhong (born May 23, 1951) is a Chinese film producer, director, teacher, and writer. He is known as one of the more prominent television producers in China. His best known productions include the CCTV adaptations of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, namely Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms and The Water Margin, as well as adaptations of Louis Cha's wuxia novels. He is also known for building large film cities with the support of local government authorities, sets that have later been developed into tourist attractions.
Zhang's adaptations of Louis Cha's works are somewhat controversial in China. Reception to these productions are generally mixed as some feel his productions are largely overblown, muddled and bombastic, while others champion his large budget and use of scenic locations.