Zhou Xun (, born 18 October 1974) is a Chinese actress and singer. She is regarded as one of the Four Dan Actresses of China. She gained international fame for her roles in '' Suzhou River'' (2000) and ''
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
''Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress'' (french: Balzac et la petite tailleuse chinoise, links=no) is a semi-autobiographical novella written by Dai Sijie, and published in 2000 in French and in English in 2001. A film based on his novel di ...
'' (2002). In 2009, she became the first Chinese actor to win the "Grand Slam", after winning the three biggest film awards, the
Golden Horse Awards
The Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards () is a film festival and awards ceremony held annually in Taiwan. It was founded in 1962 by the Government Information Office of the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan. The awards ceremony is u ...
, the
Hong Kong Film Awards
The Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA; ), founded in 1982, is an annual film awards ceremony in Hong Kong. The ceremonies are typically in April. The awards recognise achievement in various aspects of filmmaking, such as directing, screenwriting, ...
and the
Golden Rooster Awards
The Golden Rooster Awards () are film awards given in mainland China. The awards were originally given annually, beginning in 1981. The name of the award came from the year of the Rooster in 1981. Award recipients receive a statuette in the shap ...
.
Zhou has won Best Actress honors from
Asian Film Awards
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
,
Asian Television Awards
The Asian Television Awards (launched in 1996), is an appreciation to recognize and reward programming and production excellence in the Asian television industry. Held every December, the Awards comprises 56 categories across news, documentarie ...
,
Beijing College Student Film Festival
Beijing College Student Film Festival, first held in 1993, is an annual event organized by Beijing Normal University and Beijing Municipal Bureau of Radio, Film and Television. It is held in April or May, and is one of the biggest film festivals i ...
,
China Film Director's Guild Awards China Film Director's Guild Awards (中国导演协会年度表彰大会) are presented by China Film Director's Guild annually to honor excellence in cinema of China.
Major award winners
Other awards
Box Office Director of the Year
Lifetime ...
,
China TV Golden Eagle Award
The China TV Golden Eagle Award (), commonly known in China as the Golden Eagle Awards, is one of three main national award ceremonies recognising excellence in the Chinese television industry. The award is presented by the China Television Artists ...
,
Chinese Film Media Awards Chinese Film Media Awards (华语电影传媒大奖) are presented by '' Southern Metropolis Daily'' annually to honor excellence in Chinese-language cinema. Though based in mainland China, the awards are open to Chinese-language films from Hong Kon ...
Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards
The Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards () is a film festival and awards ceremony held annually in Taiwan. It was founded in 1962 by the Government Information Office of the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan. The awards ceremony is u ...
,
Golden Rooster Awards
The Golden Rooster Awards () are film awards given in mainland China. The awards were originally given annually, beginning in 1981. The name of the award came from the year of the Rooster in 1981. Award recipients receive a statuette in the shap ...
,
Hong Kong Film Awards
The Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA; ), founded in 1982, is an annual film awards ceremony in Hong Kong. The ceremonies are typically in April. The awards recognise achievement in various aspects of filmmaking, such as directing, screenwriting, ...
Hundred Flowers Awards
The Hundred Flowers Awards () are, together with the Golden Rooster Awards, the most prestigious film awards honouring the best in Chinese cinema, as well as Hong Kong cinema and the Cinema of Taiwan, they are classified as the Chinese equiv ...
,
Huading Awards
The Huading Awards are a set of entertainment awards in China. The awards were set up by Tianxia Yingcai Cultural Media Co., LTD () in 2007 in Beijing and are held more than once each year across multiple entertainment media from Chinese televis ...
,
Shanghai Television Festival
The Shanghai Television Festival (), abbreviated STVF, also known as the Shanghai International Television Festival is the first and one of the largest television festivals in East Asia. Held since 1986, STVF has become one of the most influential ...
and
Shanghai Film Critics Awards Shanghai Film Critics Awards are given annually to honor excellence in national cinema by an organization of film reviewers from Shanghai Film Critics Association and Shanghai Film Museum.Festival du Film de Paris.
Early life
Zhou was born to a middle-class family in
Quzhou
Quzhou is a prefecture-level city in western Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the upper course of the Qiantang River, it borders Hangzhou to the north, Jinhua to the east, Lishui to the southeast, and the provinces of ...
, Zhejiang. Her father, Zhou Tianning (), was a local film projectionist, and her mother, Chen Yiqin (), was a salesperson at a department store. She had her schooling in Quzhou No.1 Middle School. After she graduated, Zhou enrolled at the Zhejiang Arts Institute to further her interest in dramatic arts, against the wishes of her parents, who wanted her to graduate from a university. She was handpicked for a role in the film ''Strange Tales Amongst Old and Desolate Tombs'' during her teenage years in school.
Acting career
1995–2004: Beginnings and breakthrough
Zhou debuted in the comedy movie ''The Pampered Wife'' (1995). She next starred in
Chen Kaige
Chen Kaige (; born 12 August 1952) is a Chinese film director and a leading figure of the fifth generation of Chinese cinema.Berry, Michael (2002). "Chen Kaige: Historical Revolution and Cinematic Rebellion" in Speaking in Images: Interviews wi ...
's films, ''
Temptress Moon
''Temptress Moon'' is a 1996 Chinese film directed by Chen Kaige. It was jointly produced by the Shanghai Film Studio and the Taipei-based Tomson Films. The film saw Chen reuniting with Leslie Cheung and Gong Li who had previously worked with him ...
'' (1996) and '' The Emperor and the Assassin'' (1999). But it was not until in 2000 that Zhou received recognition in China. With her role as young
Princess Taiping
Princess Taiping (, lit. "Princess of Great Peace", personal name unknown, possibly Li Lingyue (李令月)) (after 662 – 2 August 713) was a royal princess and prominent political figure of the Tang dynasty and her mother Wu Zetian's Zhou dynas ...
China TV Golden Eagle Award
The China TV Golden Eagle Award (), commonly known in China as the Golden Eagle Awards, is one of three main national award ceremonies recognising excellence in the Chinese television industry. The award is presented by the China Television Artists ...
Zhao Wei
Zhao Wei (; born 12 March 1976), also known as Vicky Zhao or Vicki Zhao, is a Chinese actress, businesswoman, film director, producer and pop singer. She is considered one of the most popular actresses in China and Chinese-speaking regions, a ...
and
Xu Jinglei
Xu Jinglei (, born 16 April 1974 in Chaoyang District, Beijing) is a Chinese actress and film director. She was hailed as one of the Four Dan Actresses in China. In 2002, Xu won the Huabiao Award for Outstanding New Actress for her performance ...
. She further achieved international recognition when she starred in the Franco-Chinese romance drama film ''
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
''Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress'' (french: Balzac et la petite tailleuse chinoise, links=no) is a semi-autobiographical novella written by Dai Sijie, and published in 2000 in French and in English in 2001. A film based on his novel di ...
'' (2002).
A string of successful projects followed. In her first Hong Kong film ''
Hollywood Hong Kong
''Hollywood Hong Kong'' (香港有個荷里活, Heung gong yau gok hor lei wood) is a 2001 Hong Kong film directed by Fruit Chan, with screenplay written by Kei To Lam. It is the second instalment of his "prostitution trilogy" which Chan direc ...
'' directed by
Fruit Chan
Fruit Chan Gor (; born 15 April 1959) is a Hong Kong Second Wave filmmaker who is best known for his style of film reflecting the everyday life of Hong Kong people. He is well known for using amateur actors (such as Sam Lee in '' Made in H ...
, Zhou impressed critics with her performance. Hollywood magazine ''
Variety
Variety may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats
* Variety (radio)
* Variety show, in theater and television
Films
* ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont
* ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' praise Zhou saying "Zhou is superb, moving with ease between her various personalities and always convincing in each".
Among Zhou's earlier notable works also include television series '' April Rhapsody'' (2000), ''
Love Story in Shanghai ''Love Story in Shanghai'', also known as ''Symphony of Rain'', is a 2001 Chinese period television drama series directed by Zhao Baogang, set in 1930s Shanghai.
The show was broadcast on 14 national networks almost simultaneously beginning in late ...
'' (2001) and ''
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
''The Legend of the Condor Heroes'' is a wuxia novel by Chinese writer Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It is the first part of the '' Condor Trilogy'' and is followed by '' The Return of the Condor Heroes'' and '' The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber''. I ...
'' (2003);
2005–2011: Critical acclaim
She next starred in
Feng Xiaogang
Feng Xiaogang (; born 18 March 1958 in Beijing) is a Chinese film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and politician. He is well known in China as a highly successful commercial filmmaker whose comedy films do consistently well at the box of ...
's
wuxia
( ), which literally means "martial heroes", is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. Although is traditionally a form of historical fiction, its popularity has caused it to be adapted ...
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
's ''
Hamlet
''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...
''. Zhou plays the girlfriend of the crown prince, equivalent to
Ophelia
Ophelia () is a character in William Shakespeare's drama '' Hamlet'' (1599–1601). She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet, who, due to Hamlet's actions, ends u ...
Ming Ming
''Ming Ming'' () is a 2006 Hong Kong film directed by Susie Au and starring Zhou Xun, Daniel Wu, Tony Yang and Jeff Chang. A debut feature-length film by Au, an experienced music video director, Ming Ming premiered on 14 October 2006 durin ...
'', which was highly praised at the 11th Pusan International Film Festival. Zhou played dual roles – twins with absolutely different characteristics and personalities.
She then starred in
Cao Baoping
Cao Baoping () is a Chinese film director. He has emerged in recent years as a figure in China's "midrange" cinema industry. Some industry watchers, like ''Variety'', have situated directors like Cao between the older fifth generation directors, ...
's romantic thriller '' The Equation of Love and Death'' (2008) as a taxicab driver on the lookout for her missing boyfriend. Critics again praised Zhou, crediting the film's success to Zhou's performance as Li Mi. Zhou went on to receive Best Actress awards at the
Asian Film Awards
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
,
Shanghai Film Critics Awards Shanghai Film Critics Awards are given annually to honor excellence in national cinema by an organization of film reviewers from Shanghai Film Critics Association and Shanghai Film Museum.Golden Rooster Film Festival, and
Chinese Film Media Awards Chinese Film Media Awards (华语电影传媒大奖) are presented by '' Southern Metropolis Daily'' annually to honor excellence in Chinese-language cinema. Though based in mainland China, the awards are open to Chinese-language films from Hong Kon ...
. The same year she appeared in
Gordon Chan
Gordon Chan Kar-Seung (), born in 1960, is a Hong Kong film director, writer and producer. His most notable works include '' Beast Cops'', '' Fist of Legend'', '' Painted Skin'', '' 2000 AD'' and '' Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen''. ...
's horror-adventure film '' Painted Skin'', a remake of a classic supernatural thriller of the same title. Next came spy thriller '' The Message'' (2009), about Japanese invaders in China who try to ferret out a spy among their Chinese collaborators.
In 2009, Zhou was named the Star of the Year at CineAsia exhibition and distribution convention in Hong Kong. ''Asia-Pacific Producers Network'' (APN) also honored her as the Asian Star of the Year for her exemplary box office achievements. In an interview with '' CNN'', Zhou was named Asia's 25 greatest actors of all time.
She filmed the wuxia film '' Flying Swords of Dragon Gate'' (2011) directed by
Tsui Hark
Tsui Hark (, vi, Từ Khắc, born 15 February 1950), born Tsui Man-kong, is a Hong Kong film director, producer and screenwriter. Tsui has directed several influential Hong Kong films such as '' Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain'' (1983), the ...
.
2012–present: Directorial and Hollywood debut, television comeback
In 2011, Zhou made her directorial debut with the short film ''Five Demon Traps'', which stars
Tony Leung Chiu-wai
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as a demon killer.
In 2012, Zhou made her Hollywood debut in the science fiction film '' Cloud Atlas'', playing multiple roles in the film. The film grossed over the 700 million yuan ($109.8 million) landmark, becoming the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie of all time then.
In 2014, Zhou returned to television after 10 years in '' Red Sorghum'', based on Nobel prize laureate
Mo Yan
Guan Moye (; born 17 February 1955), better known by the pen name Mo Yan (, ), is a Chinese novelist and short story writer. Donald Morrison of U.S. news magazine ''TIME'' referred to him as "one of the most famous, oft-banned and widely pirate ...
's 1986/1987
novel
A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itself ...
of the same name. Zhou's performance in the series was highly praised by the author himself for her immaculate grasp of the character's inner turmoil. Zhou won the Best Actress Award at the Asian Television Award.
In 2018 she starred in the romance film ''Last Letter'' directed by
Shunji Iwai
is a Japanese film director, video artist, writer and documentary maker.
Life and career
Iwai was born in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. He attended Yokohama National University, graduating in 1987.
In 1988 he started out in the Japanese entertainmen ...
, and was nominated for the Best Actress award at the
Golden Horse Awards
The Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards () is a film festival and awards ceremony held annually in Taiwan. It was founded in 1962 by the Government Information Office of the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan. The awards ceremony is u ...
.
In 2019, Zhou starred in the crime thriller film Remain Silent.
In 2021, Zhou starred in fantasy film
The Yinyang Master
''The Yinyang Master'' () is a 2021 Chinese fantasy film directed by Li Weiran and starring Chen Kun and Zhou Xun. It is adapted from the NetEase game ''Onmyōji'' (which in turn is based on the novel series, ''Onmyōji'' by author Baku Yumem ...
.
Zhou is set to star in the wuxia film ''The Weary Poet'', and family drama film ''The Eleventh Chapter''.
Social activities
Zhou Xun was named the first
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)french: Programme des Nations unies pour le développement, PNUD is a United Nations agency tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human dev ...
(UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador for China in 2008 with a special focus of promoting environmental sustainability. Zhou jointly runs a campaign 'Our Part', which promotes 'tips for green living'.
On 22 April 2010, she became the Laureate of
United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system. It was established by Maurice Strong, its first director, after the United Nations Conference on ...
(UNEP)'s Champions of the Earth (Inspiration & Action). She was the first entertainer in the world to receive this honour.
Fashion
In 2006, Zhou had become a global spokesperson for
Miu Miu
Miu Miu is an Italian high fashion women's clothing and accessory brand and a fully owned subsidiary of Prada. It is headed by Miuccia Prada and headquartered in Paris, France.
History
Miu Miu was established in 1992 by Miuccia Prada. The name ...
. In 2008, she selected as a brand ambassador of Lancel for Greater China region. Since 2011, Zhou had been an ambassador for
Chanel
Chanel ( , ) is a French high-end luxury fashion house founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. Chanel specializes in women's ready-to-wear, luxury goods, and accessories and licenses its name and branding to Luxottica for eyewear. Chane ...
. Chanel chief designer
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Otto Lagerfeld (; 10 September 1933 – 19 February 2019) was a German fashion designer, creative director, artist and photographer.
He was known as the creative director of the French fashion house Chanel, a position held from 1983 ...
noted Zhou Xun for her strong fashion sense, describing the actress as "a synthesis of young
Coco Chanel
Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel ( , ; 19 August 1883 – 10 January 1971) was a French fashion designer and businesswoman. The founder and namesake of the Chanel brand, she was credited in the post-World War I era with popularizing a sporty, c ...
and Ballet Troupe Zizi Jeanmaire."
Zhou has been on the cover of many top fashion magazines including ''
Vogue China
''Vogue China'' ( zh, ') is the Chinese edition of ''Vogue'' magazine. The magazine carries a mixture of local and foreign content.
''Vogue China'' became the sixteenth edition of ''Vogue'' when its first issue was released for September 2005;
'' and Vogue Taiwan, Chinese and Hong Kong ''
Harper's Bazaar
''Harper's Bazaar'' is an American monthly women's fashion magazine. It was first published in New York City on November 2, 1867, as the weekly ''Harper's Bazar''. ''Harper's Bazaar'' is published by Hearst and considers itself to be the ...
'', Chinese and Hong Kong ''
Elle
''Elle'' (stylized ''ELLE'') is a worldwide women's magazine of French origin that offers a mix of fashion and beauty content, together with culture, society and lifestyle. The title means "she" or "her" in French. ''Elle'' is considered the w ...
'', Chinese and Taiwanese ''
Marie Claire
''Marie Claire'' is a French international monthly magazine first published in France in 1937, followed by the United Kingdom in 1941. Since then various editions are published in many countries and languages. The feature editions focus on wo ...
'', Chinese and Hong Kong ''
Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan may refer to:
Food and drink
* Cosmopolitan (cocktail), also known as a "Cosmo"
History
* Rootless cosmopolitan, a Soviet derogatory epithet during Joseph Stalin's anti-Semitic campaign of 1949–1953
Hotels and resorts
* Cosmopoli ...
'', Chinese ''
L'Officiel
''L'Officiel'' () is a French fashion magazine with a USA edition. It has been published in Paris since 1921 and targets upper-income, educated women aged from 25 to 49. In 2006, it had a circulation of 101,719. A men's edition of ''L'Officiel'', ' ...
'', Chinese ''
Madame Figaro
''Madame Figaro'' is a French magazine supplement to the Saturday edition of the daily newspaper ''Le Figaro'', focusing on and catering to women.
History and profile
The first edition was published in 1980. ''Madame Figaro'' was spearheaded by ...
'', Chinese ''
Numéro
''Numéro'' is an international fashion magazine published by Paul-Emmanuel Reiffers. It has a circulation of 80,000, and the French edition reached its 100th issue in February 2009. The magazine covers international fashion, beauty, design, h ...
Esquire
Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title.
In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentlema ...
Archie Kao
Archie David Kao (born December 14, 1969) is an American actor and producer. He is best known to American audiences for series regulars roles on '' Chicago P.D.'', '' Power Rangers Lost Galaxy'' as well as long-running hit ''CSI: Crime Scene In ...
on 16 July 2014 on stage after a charity event in
Hangzhou
Hangzhou ( or , ; , , Standard Chinese, Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ), also Chinese postal romanization, romanized as Hangchow, is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang, China. It is located in the northwestern part of the prov ...
,
Zhejiang
Zhejiang ( or , ; , also romanized as Chekiang) is an eastern, coastal province of the People's Republic of China. Its capital and largest city is Hangzhou, and other notable cities include Ningbo and Wenzhou. Zhejiang is bordered by Ji ...
, China. On 23 December 2020, Zhou announced on her
Sina Weibo
Sina Weibo (新浪微博) is a Chinese microblogging (weibo) website. Launched by Sina Corporation on 14 August 2009, it is one of the biggest social media platforms in China, with over 582 million monthly active users (252 million daily ac ...
account that they have divorced.
Zhou received Hong Kong citizenship under the "Quality Migrant Admission Scheme" in 2009.
Anecdote
Zhou had underwater phobia due to nearly drowning as a child. However, most dramas that she participated have underwater scenes. For example, during the filming of the film "Painted Skin: The Resurrection", she was required to soak in water for half a month.
In an interview with several magazines in 2012, Zhou said that because she was not good at expressing herself and rarely used the Internet, receiving too much information was also a burden, so she did not apply for accounts on popular social networking sites, such as Weibo.
Sina Weibo
Sina Weibo (新浪微博) is a Chinese microblogging (weibo) website. Launched by Sina Corporation on 14 August 2009, it is one of the biggest social media platforms in China, with over 582 million monthly active users (252 million daily ac ...
Sina.com
Sina Corporation (, "new wave") is a Chinese technology company. Sina operates four major business lines: Sina Weibo, Sina Mobile, Sina Online, and Sinanet. Sina has over 100 million registered users worldwide. Sina was recognized by '' Southe ...