The Complete Record of the Making of Zhang Yimou's Film Hero

Author: Zhang Yimou Studio
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The epic martial arts masterpiece Hero is Zhang Yimou's latest film, produced at a cost of 240 million Hong Kong dollars. It brings together global elites to collaborate on the production, featuring internationally renowned action star Jet Li, Cannes Film Festival winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Berlin Film Festival winner Maggie Cheung, Chinese film and television superstar Tony Chan, as well as Hollywood rising stars Zhang Ziyi and Donnie Yen. Behind the scenes, it is a dream team of award-winning professionals: cinematographer Peter Pau, Golden Horse action choreographer Ching Siu-tung, Oscar-winning art director Tian Huimei, and music maestro Tan Dun. Heroes from both the front and back lines are all present in Hero.
The story of Hero takes place during the Warring States period. The tyrannical Qin King seeks to the six kingdoms, and assassins from each nation aim to kill him. The three top assassins—Zan Jian, Fei Xue, and Chang Kong—are Qin’s greatest nightmares. The wandering swordsman Wu Ming single-handedly eliminates all three, carrying their weapons to meet the Qin King and revealing the truth of the events. However, after hearing Wu Ming’s account, the Qin King tells him another version of the story.
The Hero production record, published by Film Weekly, was created to document the making of Hero. The magazine exclusively interviewed director Zhang Yimou, screenwriters Wang Bin and Li Feng, cinematographer Peter Pau, action choreographer Ching Siu-tung, costume designer Tian Huimei, and composer Tan Dun, asking them to elaborate on the creative concepts and process behind Hero. They also interviewed other key production staff to record the entire making and filming process.
The outdoor shooting locations for Hero include Dunhuang, the Inner Mongolian Poplar Forest, Sichuan’s Jiuzhaigou Valley, and Zhejiang’s Xingtai Film Studio—all renowned for their stunning landscapes. The film employed military personnel to portray Qin’s black-clad army, showcasing the grandeur of the Warring States era with its golden swords and horses. Zhang Yimou also made his first use of computer-generated effects to create a fantastical martial arts world.
The Hero production record was authorized to use exclusive behind-the-scenes production photos, stills, costume design sketches, and script storyboards, fully documenting the making of Hero and portraying the new realm of martial arts epic storytelling.