Zhu Jinming

Zhu Jinming (朱今明)

Zhu Jinming (朱今明) (August 1915-June 1989), is one of China's most famous cinematographers and directors, and is most well-known for his The Spring River Flows East, Lights of Ten Thousand Homes and Winter of Three Hairs.

Born in 1915 in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, Zhu entered Shanghai Star Company to study photography in 1934. During wartime, Zhu participated in drama performances in Xinjing that highlighted resisting foreign aggression in 1937. After the war, he entered Kunlun film Co., and produced a series of masterpieces: The Spring River Flows East, Lights of Ten Thousand Homes, and Winter of Three Hairs.

Since The People's Republic of China foundation in 1949, Zhu served as the head of the production department at Shanghai Film Studio and as chief photographer. After studying in the Soviet Union from 1954 to 1956, he returned to Beijing Film Studio and was appointed as the Beijing Film Academy's Dean of Photography. During this period, Zhu recorded Living Forever in Burning Flames and dozens of other titles.

Zhu, as a director, has directed Kong Que Gong Zhu and Cai Wenji, both produced after the Cultural Revolution had taken its toll on the country. The latter was awarded the Special Award in the Second Manila International Film Festival in 1983 and the Crystal Butterfly Award in the fourteenth Zlín International Film Festival for Children and Youth in 1985.

Representative works:

The Spring River Flows East（一江春水向东流）

Lights of Ten Thousand Homes （万家灯火）

Winter of Three Hairs（三毛流浪记）

Living Forever in Burning Flames（烈火中永生）

From Victory to Victory (南征北战)

Kong Que Gong Zhu（孔雀公主）

Cai Wenji （蔡文姬）