Canadian immigration focuses on Canadian immigration stories: Hollywood has long been a male-dominated world. However, a Canadian Chinese female artist recently successfully broke into Hollywood, opening its doors through her own strength and tireless efforts to serve as a director for major Hollywood blockbusters. She is Zhang Xiaomin, President of the Canada Film and Television Media Group and Dean of the Canada Film and Television Academy, who resides in Vancouver, Canada.
Recently, the Canada Film and Television Media Group officially signed an agreement with American and Canadian film companies to co-produce a Chinese-themed television series, "The Monkey King." In an interview with reporters on the 28th, Zhang Xiaomin stated that the Canada Film and Television Media Group had officially signed an agreement with the Hollywood film company of the Ralph Zondag brothers and the renowned Canadian film company MoviePlus to co-produce the Chinese-themed animated film "The Monkey King."
Zhang Xiaomin told reporters that the film is adapted from the story of "Journey to the West," one of the four great classical novels of China. "The Monkey King" has an estimated investment of $40 million and will be co-produced by MoviePlus, the Canada Film and Television Media Group, and a production company in mainland China. It will be distributed by Disney, with renowned Hollywood director Ralph Zondag, who previously directed films such as "Pocahontas" and "Kung Fu Panda," serving as the director, while Zhang Xiaomin will serve as the film's executive producer and producer.
In addition, three major film companies based in Vancouver will hire Zhang Xiaomin to direct two major film productions: the Chinese version of "The Godfather" and "D-Day."
The Chinese version of "The Godfather" tells the story of the love, hate, and grievances of three Chinese people living in Canada, showcasing the extraordinary experiences of three generations of Chinese in Canada. The film will be written and directed by Zhang Xiaomin, with Zondag serving as a consultant and planner for the Chinese version of "The Godfather." Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt will also join the film. The film is expected to begin shooting in 2017, and casting is currently underway.
The film "D-Day," directed by Zhang Xiaomin, will not only recount the European battlefield during World War II but will also include scenes reflecting the Chinese War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, incorporating "Chinese elements" to more accurately and completely recreate the heroic and tragic stories of fighting against fascism on both Eastern and Western battlefields.
Zhang Xiaomin said that as a Canadian Chinese, her success in breaking into Hollywood after years of hard work has not only rewritten the history of Hollywood films being entirely male-dominated but has also brought honor to overseas Chinese, for which she feels deeply proud.
Zhang Xiaomin graduated from the Beijing Film Academy in the 1980s. She has appeared in many films and television dramas, won the Best Supporting Actress award at the Hundred Flowers Awards, and was one of the youngest film directors at the time. She immigrated to Canada in this century. She said that bringing honor to Chinese cinema and her motherland is her eternal dream and her greatest motivation. This dream has never changed.