Biography
Tian Zhuangzhuang is a Chinese film director, producer and actor. Born in April 1952 in Beijing, he is the son of actor Tian Fang and actress Yu Lan. After a period of military service and work as a photographer and assistant cinematographer, he graduated from the Beijing Film Academy in 1982 alongside Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou as part of the Fifth Generation of filmmakers.
His early features include On the Hunting Ground (1985) and The Horse Thief (1986), which explored ethnic minorities in China. The Blue Kite (1993) brought international acclaim but led to censorship problems and a period during which he was barred from directing in China. He later returned with films such as Springtime in a Small Town (2002) and The Go Master (2007), and has worked as a producer and educator at film academies.
