Siddhesh Joshi (Editor)

Zhou Xun

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Chinese name
  
周迅

Voice type(s)
  
Lyric Contralto

Spouse
  
Archie Kao (m. 2014)

Height
  
1.60 m

Jyutping
  
Zau1 Seon3 (Cantonese)

Role
  
Actress

Pinyin
  
Zhou Xun (Mandarin)

Name
  
Zhou Xun




Born
  
October 18, 1974 (age 50) Quzhou, Zhejiang (
1974-10-18
)

Other name(s)
  
Zhou Gongzi (周公子, "Young Gentleman Zhou")

Movies
  
Painted Skin: The Resurrection, Women Who Flirt, Cloud Atlas, Painted Skin, True Legend

Occupation
  
Actress, singer, model

Zhou xun archie kao wedding exclusive


Zhou Xun (born 18 October 1974) is a Chinese actress and singer. She gained international fame for her earlier roles in Suzhou River (2000) and Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002).

Contents

Zhou Xun iamediaimdbcomimagesMMV5BNjY1MTE1MDc1MV5BMl5

Zhou has won Best Actress honors from Asian Film Awards, Beijing College Student Film Festival, Chinese Director's Association Awards, Chinese Film Media Awards, Golden Bauhinia Awards, Golden Horse Awards, Golden Rooster Awards, Hong Kong Film Awards, Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards, Hundred Flowers Awards and Shanghai Film Critics Awards; as well as the French award-giving body Festival du Film de Paris. She is regarded as one of the Four Dan Actresses of China.

Zhou Xun Beautiful Chinese Actress


Early life

Zhou Xun Zhou Xun Page 4 the Fashion Spot

Zhou was born to a middle-class family in Quzhou, Zhejiang. Her father, Zhou Tianning (周天宁), was a local film projectionist, and her mother, Chen Yiqin (陈以琴), was a salesperson at a department store. She had her schooling in Quzhou No.1 Middle School. After she graduated,Zhou enrolled at the Zhejiang Arts Institute to further her interest in dramatic arts, against the wishes of her parents, who wanted her to graduate from a university. She was handpicked for a role in the film Strange Tales Amongst Old and Desolate Tombs during her teenage years in school.

1995–2004: Beginnings and Breakthrough

Zhou Xun 0023ae606f170c5385b613jpg

Zhou debuted in the comedy movie The Pampered Wife. She next starred in Chen Kaige's films, Temptress Moon and The Emperor and the Assassin. 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, Zhou received the Audience's Choice for Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards at the 18th China TV Golden Eagle Award.

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. That year, she was named one of the Four Dan Actresses alongside Zhang Ziyi, Zhao Wei and Xu Jinglei. She further achieved international recognition when she starred in the Franco-Chinese romance drama film Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002).

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. Hollywood magazine Variety praise Zhou saying "Zhou is superb, moving with ease between her various personalities and always convincing in each". Her next film, romance-themed A Pinwheel Without Wind won her the Hundred Flowers Awards for Best Actress. Among Zhou's earlier notable works also include television series The Legend of the Condor Heroes and the film Baobei in Love.

2005–2011: Critical acclaim

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. Zhou received Best Actress awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards, Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award, Golden Bauhinia Awards and Golden Horse Awards. 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. She won the Golden Bauhinia Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress. 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.

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.

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. Critics again praised Zhou, crediting the film's success to Zhou's performance as Li Mi. Zhou went on to receive Best Actress awards at the Asian Film Awards, Shanghai Film Critics Awards, Golden Rooster Film Festival, and Chinese Film Media Awards. 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. Next came spy thriller The Message (2009), about Japanese invaders in China who try to ferret out a spy among their Chinese collaborators.

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

Zhou next featured in biographic drama film Confucius (2010) and filmed her first wuxia film, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011) directed by Tsui Hark.

2012–present: Directorial and Hollywood debut, Television comeback

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

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

Zhou returned to television after 10 years in Red Sorghum (2014), based on Nobel prize laureate Mo Yan's 1986/1987 novel of the same name. Zhou's performance in the series was highly praised by the author himself for her immaculate grasp of the character's inner turmoil. Zhou won the Best Actress Award at the Shanghai Television Festival and Asian Television Award.

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. She was also rated as China's favorite star, ranking first on the 15th Huading Award international celebrity's satisfaction survey.

In 2015, Zhou served as a jury for the 5th Beijing International Film Festival. Zhou returned to the screen in 2017, starring in war film Our Time Will Come directed by Ann Hui. The same year, she will also star in historical drama Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace.

Social activities

Zhou Xun was named the first United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador for China in 2008 with a special focus of promoting environmental sustainability. Zhou jointly runs a campaign 'Our Part', which promotes ‘tips for green living’.

In 2010, she became the Laureate of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s Champions of the Earth (Inspiration & Action). She was the first entertainer in the world to receive this honour. She was also the Green Ambassador for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

In 2011, Zhou has been honored as one of the 2011 Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum.

Fashion

Since 2011, Zhou was formally announced as a new ambassador for Chanel. Chanel chief designer Karl Lagerfeld noted Zhou Xun for her strong fashion sense, describing the actress as "a synthesis of young Coco Chanel and Ballet Troupe Zizi Jeanmaire."

Personal life

Zhou Xun married American actor Archie Kao on July 16, 2014 on stage after a charity event in Hangzhou, China.

Zhou received Hong Kong citizenship under the "Quality Migrant Admission Scheme".

Albums

  • 2003: Summer (夏天)
  • 2005: Come Across (偶遇)
  • Filmography

    Actress
    -
    Shi Yan Juan Tian Ya (post-production)
    -
    Imperfect Victim (TV Series) (completed)
    2023
    Hidden Blade as
    Ms. Chen (as Zhou Xun)
    2022
    Wo de peng you (Short) as
    Xiao Zhou
    2022
    Hero as
    Shen Yue
    2021
    Across the Furious Sea
    2021
    A Little Mood for Love (TV Series)
    2021
    Gong Xun (TV Series) as
    Tu You You
    - Tu You You de li wu: Part 6 (2021) - Tu You You
    - Tu You You de li wu: Part 5 (2021) - Tu You You
    - Tu You You de li wu: Part 4 (2021) - Tu You You
    - Tu You You de li wu: Part 3 (2021) - Tu You You
    - Tu You You de li wu: Part 2 (2021) - Tu You You
    - Tu You You de li wu: Part 1 (2021) - Tu You You
    2021
    The Yinyang Master as
    Bai Ni
    2020
    Le Vrai Où (Video short)
    2020
    Imperfect Love (TV Series) as
    Lin Xuzhi
    2020
    Daughter (Short) as
    Taxi Driver
    2019
    Remain Silent as
    Duanmu Lan / Wan Wenfang
    2019
    The Eleventh Chapter as
    Jin Cailing
    2018
    Last Letter as
    Yuan Zhihua
    2018
    Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (TV Series) as
    Ula Nara Ruyi / Ula Nara Qingying
    2017
    Our Time Will Come as
    Fong Lan
    2016
    Hema Hema as
    Daughter
    2015
    Nature Is Speaking (TV Series short) as
    Seoi (Water) / Shui (Water)
    - Seoi (2015) - Seoi (Water) (voice)
    - Shui (2015) - Shui (Water) (voice)
    2014
    Into the Mist (Short) as
    Qian Xueman
    2014
    Meet Miss Anxiety as
    Qi Jia
    2014
    One Day: The Rising Sun (Short) as
    Zhou
    2014
    Red Sorghum (TV Series) as
    Jiu Er
    - Episode #1.58 (2014) - Jiu Er
    2014
    Overheard 3 as
    Moon
    2014
    Women Who Flirt as
    Angie
    2013
    One Day as
    Xiao Zhou (segment "The Rising Sun")
    2012
    Bringing Happiness Back Home (Short)
    2012
    Cloud Atlas as
    Talbot (Hotel Manager) / Yoona-939 / Rose
    2012
    The Silent War as
    Zhang Xuening
    2012
    2032: The Future We Want (Short) as
    Xun Zhou
    2012
    Painted Skin: The Resurrection as
    Xiao Wei
    2011
    The Great Magician as
    Liu Yin
    2011
    Flying Swords of Dragon Gate as
    Ling Yanqiu
    2011
    Beginning of the Great Revival as
    Wang Huiwu
    2010
    True Legend as
    Yuan Ying
    2010
    Confucius as
    Nanzi
    2009
    The Message as
    Gu Xiaomeng
    2008
    All About Women as
    Ou Fanfan (as Zhou Xun)
    2008
    Painted Skin as
    Xiao Wei (as Zhou Xun)
    2008
    The Equation of Love and Death as
    Li Mi
    2007
    Wanderer (Video short)
    2006
    Ming Ming as
    Ming Ming / Nana
    2006
    Ye yan as
    Qing Nu
    2005
    Perhaps Love as
    Sun Na / Xiaoyu
    2005
    Sheng si jie as
    Yan'ni
    2005
    A West Lake Moment as
    Xiao Yu
    2005
    Beauty Remains as
    Fei
    2004
    Baober in Love as
    Baober
    2003
    Mai Ban Zhi Jia (TV Series) as
    Su Boyuan
    - Episode #1.1 (2003) - Su Boyuan
    2003
    She diao ying xiong zhuan (TV Series) as
    Huang Rong (2003)
    2003
    The Legend of the Condor Heroes (TV Series) as
    Hua Rong
    2002
    Na shi hua kai as
    Mirth (Huanzi)
    2002
    Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress as
    Little Chinese Seamstress
    2002
    Ting che zan jie wen as
    Zhao Ning-jing
    2001
    Jin qian ben se (TV Series)(2001)
    2001
    Heung Gong you ge He Li Huo as
    Hung Hung / Tong Tong
    2001
    Ju Zi Hong Le (TV Series) as
    Xiu He
    2001
    Beijing Bicycle as
    Qin
    2000
    Love Story in Shanghai (TV Series) as
    Xinyu Du
    2000
    Ren jian si yue tian (TV Mini Series) as
    Lin Weiyin
    - Episode #1.3 (2000) - Lin Weiyin
    - Episode #1.2 (2000) - Lin Weiyin
    - Episode #1.1 (2000) - Lin Weiyin
    2000
    The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (TV Series) as
    Shi Yiyang
    2000
    Palace of Desire (TV Series) as
    Princess Taiping (young)
    2000
    Suzhou River as
    Meimei / Moudan
    1999
    Kai Xin Jiu Hao (TV Mini Series)
    1999
    Maid in Green (TV Series) as
    Fan Xiaoxuan
    1998
    The Emperor and the Assassin as
    Blind Girl
    1998
    Gui lin rong ji as
    Miss Luo
    1996
    Xiao jiao qi mou sheng ji as
    Yang Yang
    1996
    Temptress Moon as
    Nightclub girl (uncredited)
    1995
    Maiden Rosé as
    Zhou Hua Diao as Teenager
    1991
    Gu mu huang zhai
    Producer
    2023
    Mei de bai tian he hei ye (executive producer)
    2015
    A Journey Through Time with Antony (executive producer)
    Music Department
    2014
    Into the Mist (Short) (theme vocals)
    Soundtrack
    2013
    One Day (performer: "For The Children")
    2011
    The Great Magician (performer: "Cai Qing Ren")
    2006
    Ming Ming (performer: "Happy Wanderer")
    2005
    Perhaps Love (performer: "Who Are You?", "The World Out There", "Crossroad")
    Thanks
    2013
    One Day (special thanks to) / (very special thanks)
    2011
    One Mile Above (thanks)
    Self
    2022
    Tuo Kou Xiu Da Hui (TV Series) as
    Self - Leading Laugher / Self - Performer
    - Episode 2 Part 2 (2022) - Self - Leading Laugher
    - Episode 2 Part 1 (2022) - Self - Leading Laugher / Self - Performer
    - Episode 1 Part 2 (2022) - Self - Leading Laugher
    - Episode 1 Part 1 (2022) - Self - Leading Laugher
    2020
    Forget Me Not Cafe (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Zhou Xun's singing of "Jiu Er" was melodious (2020) - Self
    2020
    Back to Field (TV Series) as
    Self
    - What is "Back to field" (2020) - Self
    - Coconut of Banana? (2020) - Self
    - Friend ship (2020) - Self
    2020
    Xing Guang (Documentary) as
    Self
    2019
    Adventure Life (TV Mini Series documentary) as
    Self
    - Japan Ryokan House (2019) - Self
    2019
    The United Nations Association 2019 Global Citizen Awards & 12th Annual West Coast Global Forum (TV Special) as
    Self (as Zhou Xun)
    2019
    China on Film (TV Movie documentary) as
    Self - reader in modern history, University of Essex (as Zhou Xun)
    2018
    Phanta City (TV Mini Series) as
    Self - Experience Friend
    - Episode 11 (2018) - Self - Experience Friend
    2016
    Born in China (Documentary) as
    Narrator (Chinese version) (voice)
    2013
    Da Pai Jia Dao (Bigshot) (TV Series) as
    Self (2015)
    2006
    A Date with Luyu (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Zhou Xun: Wen qing ying hou cheng zhang lu (2011) - Self
    - Zhou Xun: Xing qing mi ma (2011) - Self
    - Zhou Xun xia (2006) - Self
    - Zhou Xun shang (2006) - Self
    2007
    In Our Time (Podcast Series) as
    Self - Historian
    - The Opium Wars - a conflict that was to affect British-Chinese relations for generations (2007) - Self - Historian (voice, as Zhou Xun)
    Archive Footage
    2020
    Tales of Chinese Filmmakers (TV Mini Series documentary) as
    Self
    - Tim Yip: Xun Zhao Dong Fang Mei (2020) - Self
    - Zhao Nan: Sheng Yin Mo Fa Shi (2020) - Self

    References

    Zhou Xun Wikipedia


    Similar Topics