Qianjiang Evening News hourly news reporter Lu Fang
February 3 is a sad day in the film industry.
On the same day, Zhao Yingjun, a famous musician who composed the theme song for many movies, died of cancer.
That night, news came that Zhang Zhao, a veteran of the film industry and former CEO of LeTV Pictures, died at the age of 58 in Beijing at 13:08 on February 3 due to ineffective medical treatment. Zhang Yimou served as the head of the funeral committee, and Han Sanping, Liu Heping, Wang Changtian, and Jia Yueting served as deputy leaders.
Zhang Zhao is considered to be one of the most film-savvy film and television company executives in the industry.
Zhang Zhao Data Chart Courtesy of CFP
Zhang Zhao graduated from Fudan University in Shanghai with a bachelor's degree in information science and a master's degree in philosophy. In 1996, he joined Shanghai Film Group, in 2003 he joined Light Media, in 2006 he founded Light Pictures, and in 2011 he left Light Pictures to create LeTV Pictures. Zhang Zhao is one of the founders of Guangguang Pictures, and once assisted Wang Changtian to develop Guangguang Pictures into one of the largest private films in China in a short period of time. During this period, Guangguang Pictures produced and distributed more than 20 commercial films, maintaining a growth rate of 100% for four consecutive years, creating a "speed of light" that attracted the attention of the Chinese film industry.
After leaving Light Pictures, Zhang Zhao established LeTV Pictures, Zhang Yimou became the artistic director of LeTV Pictures, and directors such as Lu Chuan and Guo Jingming cooperated with LeTV Pictures. Guo Jingming's "Little Times" series, under the full operation of Zhang Zhao, has achieved great success at the box office.
In 2012, LeTV Pictures produced and distributed 6 films, ranking fourth among the five major private companies in terms of market share. In 2016, LeTV Pictures released 11 films with more than 100 million films, of which "Notes from the Tomb Robber" and "The Great Wall" directed by Zhang Yimou grossed more than 1 billion yuan.
In June 2019, Zhang Zhao resigned as chairman and CEO of Lechuang Entertainment and joined Fosun Pictures as vice president of Fosun Group and CEO of Fosun Film and Television Group.
In June 2020, Zhang Zhao resigned from Fosun Group and invested in the establishment of a company called Dongyang Orange Pictures.
It is reported that in the interview before Zhang Zhao's death, he called himself an "industrial person" instead of a "filmmaker" and wanted to do something to promote the domestic film industry.
After Zhang Zhao left Fosun last year, he told the media: "If there is capital or platform willing to adhere to or promote the logic of industrialization and branding, I am happy to help it succeed." ”
According to insiders, Zhang Zhao often stayed up late due to work reasons, smoked for a long time, and his body was irregular, and finally suffered from pancreatic cancer, and his condition developed rapidly. In December last year, Zhang Zhao also accepted an interview with the outside world and actively worked, and the WeChat circle of friends was also updated as usual.
After Zhang Zhao's death, Wang Changtian, chairman of Guangguang Pictures, mourned on Weibo: "Every time I see him thin, I feel heartache, desperate, persistent, and desperate for the movie, for the movie, for the movie, for the movie, for the movie, without the movie, will he have a better life?" Goodbye, Zhang Zhao. ”
Zhang Yimou sent a tribute through the studio, "After the end of work, I was shocked to hear that Zhang Zhao passed away, and I couldn't help but grieve! Before leaving Beijing, I met him for the last time, or listened to his passionate talk about the film project, just like yesterday! Zhang Zhao is a person who really loves movies, every time he chats with him, he talks about movies, but unfortunately his ambition is still there, and his ambitions are not rewarded... Zhang Zhaoyou has gone all the way, I think you will talk about movies and do your favorite things every day in another world, right? ”。
It is reported that Zhang Zhao has participated in the production of many Zhang Yimou films and is the producer of the movies "Return", "The Great Wall" and "Shadow".
Chen Sicheng also wrote sadly on Weibo: "Brother Zhang Zhao, go well, the idealist's way back must be warm and bright."
Cao Kefan, a famous host, also sent a Weibo post, saying that during Zhang Zhao's participation in the Shanghai University Student Host Competition, they were very happy with each other. After decades of seeing each other, Zhang Zhao appeared in the film industry as a filmmaker, and he could feel his love for movies in his conversations.
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Source: Qianjiang Evening News