Shouwei Zhang

Shouwei Zhang

Actor

Active: 1951

About Shouwei Zhang

Shouwei Zhang was a Chinese actor who appeared in the groundbreaking 1951 film 'The White-Haired Girl,' one of the first color films produced in the People's Republic of China. His career appears to have been brief, with documented activity limited to the year 1951, suggesting he may have been part of the early generation of actors in the new PRC film industry. The film itself was based on a revolutionary opera and became an important cultural work in early socialist China. While details about his broader career are scarce, his participation in this historically significant film places him among the pioneering actors of China's new cinema era. The limited documentation of his career trajectory was not uncommon for many actors working during this transitional period in Chinese film history.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The White-Haired Girl' (1951), one of the first color films of the People's Republic of China

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • The White-Haired Girl (1951)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Shouwei Zhang's contribution to Chinese cinema, while brief, is significant through his participation in 'The White-Haired Girl,' which represents an important milestone in the development of socialist cinema in China. The film itself became a cultural touchstone in the early People's Republic of China, embodying the revolutionary themes and artistic ideals of the era. As one of the first color films produced in the new China, it helped establish technical and aesthetic standards for the emerging national film industry.

Lasting Legacy

Shouwei Zhang's legacy is primarily tied to his role in the historically significant film 'The White-Haired Girl,' which continues to be studied as an important work in Chinese film history. The film's status as an early color production and its adaptation from a revolutionary opera make it a key document of early PRC cultural production. While individual actors from this period are often less documented than their Western counterparts, their collective contributions helped establish the foundation for China's national cinema.

Who They Inspired

Limited documentation makes it difficult to assess Shouwei Zhang's specific influence on other actors or filmmakers, though participation in pioneering films like 'The White-Haired Girl' contributed to the development of acting styles appropriate for socialist cinema in China.

Off Screen

Very limited information is available about Shouwei Zhang's personal life, which was not uncommon for actors from this period of early Chinese cinema.

Did You Know?

  • Appeared in one of the first color films produced in the People's Republic of China
  • The film 'The White-Haired Girl' was based on a revolutionary opera that premiered in 1945
  • His documented career appears to have lasted only one year (1951)
  • The film he appeared in became an important cultural work in early socialist China
  • The film was produced by the Northeast Film Studio, one of China's earliest film production facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Shouwei Zhang?

Shouwei Zhang was a Chinese actor best known for his appearance in the 1951 film 'The White-Haired Girl,' one of the first color films produced in the People's Republic of China. His documented career appears to have been brief, limited to activity in 1951.

What films is Shouwei Zhang best known for?

Shouwei Zhang is known for his role in 'The White-Haired Girl' (1951), a historically significant Chinese film that was among the first color productions in the new People's Republic of China.

When was Shouwei Zhang born and when did he die?

Specific birth and death dates for Shouwei Zhang are not documented in available sources, which was not uncommon for many Chinese actors from this early period of cinema.

What awards did Shouwei Zhang win?

There are no documented awards or nominations for Shouwei Zhang in available sources, which may reflect the limited documentation of individual achievements during this early period of Chinese cinema.

What was Shouwei Zhang's acting style?

Specific details about Shouwei Zhang's acting style are not documented in available sources, though actors in this period of Chinese cinema generally worked within the conventions appropriate for socialist-themed films.

What was 'The White-Haired Girl' about?

'The White-Haired Girl' was based on a revolutionary opera telling the story of a peasant girl suffering under feudal oppression, reflecting the social and political themes important in early People's Republic of China cinema.

Films

1 film