Brief Biography of the Director

Li Hanchiang was born in 1926 in Jinzhou, Liaoning Province and he studied in the Beijing National School of Fine Arts specialising in western painting. He then joined the Shanghai Drama School. In 1948, he went to Hong Kong and worked as an actor, then as painter of cinema hoardings, a set designer, assistant director and script-writer. In 1954, Li directed his first film entitled ‘A Red Flower in Snow’ and has directed nearly 70 films since then. He was a five-time award-winner in the Asian Film Festival and won many Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. His major work ‘Rear Entrance’, ‘The Winter', ‘The Story of Ti Ying’, ‘The Last Tempest’, ‘Hsi Shih, Beauty of Beauties’, ‘The Kingdom and the Beauty’ and ‘The Empress Dowager'. The last three films excel in sweeping and spectacularly staged sets, while ‘The Winter’ reflects a much more straight-forward, simple style. His skill and versatility have earned him a secure and respected niche in Chinese cinema. His contribution is not limited to directing; he counts many present-day talents among his former proteges. Undeniably, his work and style have definitely influenced directors in both Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Li Hanchiang has always dreamed of making a film in the Ancient palace in Beijing. Now that his dream has come true, he enjoys busily giving orders in the studios, explaining and directing various scenes and inspecting the sets, getting younger by the day. One certainly wouldn't expect a fiftyish director actually jumping off the ‘Fairy Pavilion’ on the opera stage.

Yangxin Hall, The Firmament Cupola, A Jade Dragon holding a Pearl in its Mouth Li, the director, is given a golden opportunity of filming in Beijing: a milestone in his career.

Making a large-scale film about the Imperial Court is no easy task, full of joys as well as artistic trials and tribulations. This set of photos shows his creativity in microcosm: