Zhou Xun

Zhou debuted in the comedy movie The Pampered Wife (1995).[7] She next starred in Chen Kaige's films, Temptress Moon (1996) and The Emperor and the Assassin (1999).[8][6] But it was not until in 2000 that Zhou received recognition in China. With her role as young Princess Taiping in historical drama Palace of Desire,[9] Zhou received the Audience's Choice for Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards at the 18th China TV Golden Eagle Award.[10]

Zhou achieved breakthrough on the big screen with Lou Ye's Suzhou River (2000), which won her the Best Actress award at the 15th Festival du Film de Paris.[11] That year, she was named one of the Four Dan Actresses alongside Zhang Ziyi, Zhao Wei and Xu Jinglei.[12] She further achieved international recognition when she starred in the Franco-Chinese romance drama film Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002).[13][14]

A string of successful projects followed. In her first Hong Kong film Hollywood Hong Kong directed by Fruit Chan, Zhou impressed critics with her performance.[15] Hollywood magazine Variety praise Zhou saying "Zhou is superb, moving with ease between her various personalities and always convincing in each".[16] Her next film, romance-themed A Pinwheel Without Wind (2002) won her the Hundred Flowers Awards for Best Actress.[17] Among Zhou's earlier notable works also include television series April Rhapsody (2000), Love Story in Shanghai (2001) and The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2003);[18][19]as well as the film Baobei in Love (2004).[20]

Zhou impressed critics once again with her performance in Peter Chan's musical film Perhaps Love (2005). The film represented Hong Kong at the 2006 Academy Awards.[21] Zhou received Best Actress awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards,[22] Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award,[23] Golden Bauhinia Awards[24] and Golden Horse Awards.[25] She next starred in Feng Xiaogang's wuxia film The Banquet (2006), inspired from William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Zhou plays the girlfriend of the crown prince, equivalent to Ophelia.[26] She won the Golden Bauhinia Awards[27] and Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress.[28] In 2007, she starred in Susie Au's film Ming Ming, which was highly praised at the 11th Pusan International Film Festival. Zhou played dual roles – twins with absolutely different characteristics and personalities.[29]

With a string of successful films, Zhou was brought into the spotlight as one of China's top actresses. Her ability to pull off various roles makes her a favorite with Chinese directors and won her the reputation of "Angel in the World" among the audience.[30]

She then starred in Cao Baoping's romantic thriller The Equation of Love and Death (2008) as a taxicab driver on the lookout for her missing boyfriend.[31] Critics again praised Zhou, crediting the film's success to Zhou's performance as Li Mi.[32] Zhou went on to receive Best Actress awards at the Asian Film Awards,[33] Shanghai Film Critics Awards,[34] Golden Rooster Film Festival,[35] and Chinese Film Media Awards.[36] The same year she appeared in Gordon Chan's horror-adventure film Painted Skin, a remake of a classic supernatural thriller of the same title.[37] Next came spy thriller The Message (2009), about Japanese invaders in China who try to ferret out a spy among their Chinese collaborators.[38]

In 2009, Zhou was named the Star of the Year at CineAsia exhibition and distribution convention in Hong Kong.[39] Asia-Pacific Producers Network (APN) also honored her as the Asian Star of the Year for her exemplary box office achievements.[40] In an interview with CNN, Zhou was named Asia's 25 greatest actors of all time.[41]

Zhou next featured in biographic drama film Confucius (2010)[42] and filmed the wuxia film Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011) directed by Tsui Hark.[43]

In 2011, Zhou made her directorial debut with the short film Five Demon Traps, which stars Tony Leung Chiu-wai as a demon killer.[44]

In 2012, Zhou made her Hollywood debut in the science fiction film Cloud Atlas, playing multiple roles in the film.[45] Zhou then reprised her role in Painted Skin: The Resurrection (2012), the sequel to Painted Skin.[46] The film grossed over the 700 million yuan ($109.8 million) landmark, becoming the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie of all time then.[47]

In 2014, Zhou returned to television after 10 years in Red Sorghum, based on Nobel prize laureate Mo Yan's 1986/1987 novel of the same name.[48] Zhou's performance in the series was highly praised by the author himself for her immaculate grasp of the character's inner turmoil.[49] Zhou won the Best Actress Award at the Shanghai Television Festival[50] and Asian Television Award.[51] The same year, she received the Chevalier medal in the Order of Arts and Letters by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius for her contribution in film, public welfare and Sino-French communications in Beijing, China.[52] She was also rated as China's favorite star, ranking first on the 15th Huading Award international celebrity's satisfaction survey.[53]

In 2015, Zhou served as a jury for the 5th Beijing International Film Festival.[54]

In 2017, Zhou returned to the big screen, starring in war film Our Time Will Come directed by Ann Hui. Her performance garnered a nomination for Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards.[55]

In 2018, Zhou starred in historical drama Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, playing the role of Hoifa-Nara, the Step Empress.[56] The same year she starred in the romance film Last Letter directed by Shunji Iwai, and was nominated for the Best Actress award at the Golden Horse Awards.[57]

In 2019, Zhou starred in the crime thriller film Remain Silent.[58]

Zhou is set to star in the wuxia film The Weary Poet,[59] and family drama film The Eleventh Chapter.[60]