"Zhang Yimou's Homework", illustrated/narrated by Zhang Yimou, written by Fang Xi. Peking University Press, January 2012, 81,000 words.

This book originated from Zhang Yimou’s unexpected discovery of photos taken decades ago when he was organizing his things in 2010, and his desire to preserve these photos. Some of these photos are his photography exercises when he was a worker in the sock knitting workshop of the Eighth National Cotton Factory in Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, and some are his homework while studying in the Photography Department of Beijing Film Academy.

This book records the story of Zhang Yimou who taught himself photography as a textile factory worker and later became a film director, including directing the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

The book is divided into 22 sections, of which sections 1-10 are interspersed with a large number of photos. Each photo is followed by an introduction, including the photo name, shooting time, location and related background, technical data, etc.

The title of the book is "Homework" because of Fang Xi's suggestion. Zhang Yimou agrees with the term "Homework". He said, "Everyone in this world has a homework." From this point of view, "Homework" "has two meanings: one is the original meaning. The photos in the book are the exercises and homework from that year. The second is metaphorical meaning: Zhang Yimou is trying hard to do his homework well in life.

Impression 1: Treat yourself as a tool

If you become a tool, you will be useful to others. When people are useful, some things will not find you, and you will have room to survive.

First of all, quickly make yourself a tool. Judging from Zhang Yimou's growth background, this is the instinct to survive in difficult times. Zhang Yimou consciously turned himself into a tool and started by copying big-character posters for others. That's when he started practicing calligraphy.

Zhang Yimou said, "Tool is not a bad word. Useful is also the deep-rooted sense of value of our generation. I am afraid I am also suspected of this today."

In the era of self-awakening , treating people as tools will be criticized. Because we have come to believe that human free will and independent individuality are the source of dignity, the word "tool" insults the creativity of being human.

As organizational managers, we must resolutely resist instrumentalizing others. But when doing things, we will also find that "instrumentalization" is not entirely a derogatory term. Just like what Zhang Yimou said, "being useful to others" is exactly the time and time again to deeply understand the needs of the environment, the organization and others, and to creatively Only by meeting these needs can we obtain external forces again and again to break through the cocoon of knowledge and ability, and with the help of others, we can reflect our self-worth.

Feeling 2: Fighting with myself

From the time Zhang Yimou liked photography to the time he went to college, he worked hard. Copy books, practice according to books, and memorize cards. Every effort that seems unintelligent can turn into a habit.

For example, photography senior Xue Zijiang said in the book "Landscape Photography Composition" that "120 negatives should be utilized to the maximum extent." Zhang Yimou took it as an imperial edict and walked around with the camera for a day, constantly calculating in his mind how to maximize the use of the film without relying on secondary cropping after shooting. Years of training in precise composition have formed a muscle memory that can be evoked at any time. After becoming a director, Zhang Yimou can tell the photographer at a glance at the shooting scene, which way to pan a little, just a little, and a little more is wrong.

For example, after entering film school, Zhang Yimou watched movies with his card in his pocket, taking notes while watching. Light, tone, composition, whatever you think is easy to remember. Write down dozens of cards for a movie, organize them into notes when you go back, and look through them often. I wrote down the hundreds of movies I watched over the past four years in this way.

The constant struggle with oneself was most vividly reflected in the preparations for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games. "In addition to his experience in making blockbusters and the technical skills honed by the scene planning of large-scale performances, it was his perseverance and perseverance that he had honed through his previous confrontations and confrontations that enabled him to take on the project of the opening ceremony." During the preparation period, he came up with an endless stream of creative ideas, many of which were refreshing. The applause did not stop, but he was overthrown by himself, and then squeezed out the last bit of imagination.

Impression 3: Do your own homework in life

Zhang Yimou gives people the impression of being talented. But in an interview with Xu Zhiyuan, he said, "I am not a talented director, I am a studious director. ... Many of my abilities are acquired, verified and trained." "You must do what you promised, and you must stand firm."

Zhang Yimou feels that for young directors, the first time they come out is earned by themselves, and the second time is when others give you the opportunity. Seize it this time, and seize it next time, three in a row. Once the work is done, you can do it. If you fail in one of your films, you may turn around, but everyone will still recognize you.

He also used his own examples to express his opinions, such as "Red Sorghum", "Ju Dou", "Raise the Red Lantern", "Qiu Ju's Lawsuit" and "Alive", five consecutive works, which combined the three major movies. I won all the festival awards. "With these foundations, a tree has grown. Later, cultural people scolded me for making rubbish, and they continued to criticize me. But after so many years of criticism, the tree is still a tree."

Even if there are With such confidence, as the chief director of the 2008 Olympic Games opening ceremony, Zhang Yimou still bore great psychological pressure.

"The mentality of thanking God has been with me for a long time. Whether it was a false alarm or the rest of my life, I really never thought that I would become a national teacher. It seemed that it was really amazing. None. I only thought that Amitabha, no Screw it up."

Zhang Yimou's self-requirements are quite high. In the words of his classmate Chen Kaige, as long as Zhang Yimou says "okay" or "okay", it is considered the highest praise.

To this day, Zhang Yimou is still working hard, seeking breakthroughs, doing well and handing in assignments that he feels are acceptable. This is what makes him so admirable.