Gu Chang-wei

Gu Chang-wei (born December 12, 1957) is a male renowned Chinese cinematographer and director, originally from Wujiang, Jiangsu, and born in Xi'an, Shaanxi. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. From a young age, Gu had a passion for painting and dreamed of becoming a painter. In 1978, he was admitted to the cinematography department of Beijing Film Academy, and after graduating in 1982, he was assigned to Xi'an Film Studio as a cinematography assistant. In the early years of his career, Gu Changwei worked on the cinematography of several important films, including the 1984 film "Hai tan," directed by Teng Weng-chi, which predominantly used natural light and had a profound impact on Chinese cinema. In 1988, he won the Best Cinematography Award at the 8th China Film Golden Rooster Awards for "King of the Children" and "Red Sorghum," showcasing his exceptional cinematographic talents.
In 1993, Gu served as the cinematographer for "Farewell My Concubine," a film that received widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally, earning him a nomination for Best Cinematography at the 66th Academy Awards. Subsequently, he remained active in the film industry, shooting works like "In the Heat of the Sun" and winning the Best Cinematography Award at the 33rd Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. In 2000, Gu assisted Chen Chong in filming "Autumn in New York." Later, in 2005, he directed his first film, "Peacock," which won the Silver Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film depicted the life of a common family in Anyang, Henan, and received strong audience reactions. In 2007, his second directorial work, "And the Spring Comes," won the Best Actress Award at the Rome Film Festival, with leading actress Jiang Wenli’s outstanding performance leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Gu Changwei's connection with Jiang Wenli began at his birthday party in 1989 when Jiang was a student at the film academy. Although they did not see each other for many years after the birthday party, they developed a deeper understanding of one another during the collaboration on "Farewell My Concubine," eventually becoming husband and wife. Revered as "China's foremost cinematographer," Gu has long collaborated with prominent filmmakers such as Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, helping to propel Chinese cinema onto the international stage. His works "Red Sorghum," "Ju Dou," and "Farewell My Concubine" have repeatedly garnered accolades at international film festivals, leading Gu to receive numerous nominations and awards for Best Cinematography. After achieving fame and success, Gu Changwei continued to actively shoot outstanding domestic films, including "The trail," "Warrior Lanling," and "In the Heat of the Sun." He consistently seeks higher achievements in cinematographic art, maintaining a humble attitude while demonstrating his exceptional contributions to the film industry.