Tian Zhuang Zhuang (1952, PR China) is a courageous film director. He belongs to what is known as the Fifth Generation of Chinese film-makers, which launched a new wave of cinema in the mid-eighties. Tian Zhuang Zhuang explores the boundaries of Chinese cultural space; his films are concerned with and reflect real life. He has made ethnic dramas about the peoples of Inner Mongolia and Tibet, stark and realistic portrayals of tribal life. Tian justifies the production of films that might not suit mass tastes. He speaks his mind and acts according to his conscience, not only in his films but also as a participant in the political debate in the People’s Republic of China, where he has called for the release of political prisoners and for democracy. Tian Zhuang Zhuang was banned from film-making in China following the release of ‘The Blue Kite’ (1993), a film commenting on recent Chinese history and politics. He continued, however, to devote his efforts to the Chinese film industry and during the past years has helped in the realisation of productions by other film-makers, particularly younger ones. He has recently been given the opportunity to start on a new project of his own.
