A leading filmmaker of China's "Fifth Generation" who began as a cinematographer and has shot films by directors Chen Kaige and Wu Tianming, Zhang Yimou made an auspicious directorial debut with "Red Sorghum" (1987), which won the Golden Bear at the 1988 Berlin Festival. Set in the remote Shandong province in the 1930s and rich with mythical overtones, "Red Sorghum" uses minimal dialogue, haunting music and stunning visuals to tell the story of a meek young bride who develops into the forceful head of her husband's winery after his death.

His second feature, "Ju Dou" (1990) about a young wife,