Zhang Yimou Interview

An endearing excerpt from an interview with my favorite director:

"When Akira Kurosawa, one of the world's most renowned directors whom I respect, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cannes Film Festival at the age of 80, he said, 'Today I still don't know how to shoot a film.' Everyone laughed and thought the old man was being funny. But I can understand him. Of course, I can't be compared with such a master as him. But from him I learnt that no matter what, you can't think you're great. There are always many things to learn. That's why I don't care about other people's comments. You can neither be Mr. Big nor a flower in a greenhouse; what's important is to know yourself thoroughly. You need to remain calm and understand that you are only a director. Being a director is nothing incredible; it is no different from being a carpenter. We are just lucky that our work catches people's attention."

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