""Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy: The Origins of China's Fifth Generation Filmmakers" brings back memories for me. It tells the true story of how I moved from ignorance to full maturity along with a group of my peers. Everyone faces challenges of some sort in their youth. They become life's most beautiful memories. That means this is not just a book about film, but also a book about human life. Once youth is over it never returns, and so we treasure it in our hearts. Thank you, Professor Ni Zhen, for writing this inspiring book."--Zhang Yimou, director of "Raise the Red Lantern," "Ju Dou," and "Not One Less"

Table of Contents
Translator’s Introduction vii
Preface to the English Edition xiii
1. Admission 1
2. Noses to the Grindstone 51
3. First Steps 113
4. Graduation 147
Postscript 192
Character List for Chinese Names 201
Chinese Film Title List 207
Notes 213
Index 225

Ni Zhen is a consultant to the Shanghai Film & TV Company and Visiting Professor at the Shanghai Theater Academy. He was Professor of Art Direction and Professor of Film Theory at the Beijing Film Academy, where he taught from 1980 to 2000. He has written screenplays for films including Raise the Red Lantern and Blush.
Chris Berry is Associate Professor in the Program in Film Studies and the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.