Zhang Yimou to accept Lifetime Award in Tokyo
12 Oct - Zhang Yimou has been selected as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).
The filmmaker, who will be presented with the honour at the opening ceremony on 23 October, is awarded for "his extraordinary career and long-standing contributions to the film industry."
In a statement released by Zhang following the news, the director stated, "There is one thing I still remember: When Akira Kurosawa received an Academy Honorary Award in 1990, I was in the audience still as a fledgling filmmaker. His words in his speech, "I have not yet grasped the essence of cinema," are still fresh in my mind."
"I would like to express my gratitude to the Tokyo International Film Festival for presenting me with this award. I would also like to thank everyone for their encouragement and support. Considering this as one starting point, I will continue my efforts to understand the essence of cinema and make great films," he added.
Zhang will also be participating in a special talk session at the TIFF Lounge curated by Hirokazu Koreeda, while his movie, "Full River Red" will be premiering at the festival in the Gala Selection section.
(Photo Source: TIFF)
