(The content of this article is based on authoritative sources, and there are literature citation sources at the end of the article)
In 1980, Zhang Yu became popular with the movie "Lushan Love" and became a high-profile screen goddess.
At the peak of her professional and personal life, she chose to study in the United States, leaving many fans and media puzzled.
The 66-year-old Zhang Yu is alone, and her past loves, dreams and choices constitute her legendary and complex life trajectory.
The first appearance on the silver screen
Zhang Yu's acting career began by chance. On a sunny afternoon in Shanghai, director Liu Qiong was casting for his new project, "Lushan Love".
Zhang Yu was just an ordinary middle school student at the time, but he stood out from the crowd because of his outstanding appearance and temperament. In Director Liu's eyes, Zhang Yu has the purity and aura that the heroine Zhou Yun in the movie needs.
Although he did not have any acting background, Zhang Yu resolutely stepped into the door of the showbiz with the encouragement of the director.
In the early days of entering the industry, Zhang Yu's acting career was not smooth. Almost every audition she audition ended in failure, and every role was just a trivial supporting role.
However, these experiences did not dampen her determination, but strengthened her ambition to become a good actor.
She began to study acting skills diligently, often went to the theater to watch plays, watched the performances of senior actors, and repeatedly practiced how to better express the emotions of the characters every day.
In 1979, a turning point befell Zhang Yu's life. Director Liu Qiong found her again, this time for the heroine of "Lushan Love" - a big-budget film planned to be released at home and abroad.
Zhang Yu knew that this would be a rare opportunity, and she put a lot of energy into preparation, from her image to her acting skills, she improved in all aspects.
In the daily training of the crew, Zhang Yu and the actor Guo Kaimin rehearsed many times to ensure that the director's creativity could be perfectly presented.
The filming process of "Lushan Love" was full of challenges. Zhang Yu played the heroine for the first time, and the nervousness of facing the camera made her make mistakes many times, and almost every scene required multiple NGs to pass.
After the movie was released, it caused a huge sensation. Zhang Yu became famous in one fell swoop with "Lushan Love" and became a household name star at that time.
Her interpretation of the role of Zhou Yun is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, especially the "Lushan Kiss" between her and Guo Kaimin, which is known as the "epoch-making kiss", and this scene has moved countless audiences.
However, just when his career was in full swing, Zhang Yu made a decision that surprised everyone - to study in United States.
Despite her success in China, Zhang Yu sees a lot of room for improvement in the performing arts. The idea of studying abroad is always with her, and she hopes to broaden her horizons and improve her artistic cultivation through her study and living experience abroad.
Before deciding to travel to United States, Zhang Yu had several in-depth discussions with family and friends. Despite her opposition and misgivings, her determination was unwavering.
In 1984, she resolutely gave up her busy shooting plan and began her study abroad journey
Studying in a foreign land
In 1984, Zhang Yu arrived in the United States to begin her study abroad career. She chose a prestigious university in California for further studies in the performing arts.
Although this decision was surprising, it was a firm choice for her to pursue further studies in the arts. In the new environment, Zhang Yu faced many challenges, from language barriers to cultural differences, and every step was not easy.
Shortly after arriving in the United States, Zhang Yu found that language was her biggest obstacle. Although she already has a basic knowledge of English in China, the difficulties in practical application exceeded her expectations.
She had to spend a lot of time studying English, attending language classes, and communicating with international students to improve her language fluency.
In addition, she had to adapt to the teaching style and pace of life in the United States, which was a new challenge for her.
In China, Zhang Yu's husband Zhang Jianya's career is also rising rapidly. He began directing several popular films and gradually built his reputation in the industry.
This professional success made Zhang Jianya's life in China very busy, and most of his time and energy were occupied by work, which gradually affected the marriage relationship between the two.
Zhang Yu's further education in the United States and Zhang Jianya's career development in China, the connection between the two began to gradually decrease.
Initially, they also tried to keep in touch through letters and phone calls, but the two communicated less and less. The hectic nature of work and the difference in time make even a short call difficult.
During this time, although Zhang Yu's life and study in the United States were fulfilling, she also felt both cultural and emotional loneliness.
On campus, although she had some communication with her classmates, the deep cultural differences and living habits made it difficult for her to fully integrate.
This state lasted for several years, until Zhang Yu completed her studies. After returning to China after completing her studies, she hopes to regain her old relationship with Zhang Jianya and regain her career position in China.
However, the long separation between the two has caused a rift in the relationship between them.
When Zhang Yu returned to China, he found that his life was already very different, and the difference between Zhang Jianya's career success and his own artistic pursuits made it even more difficult to reunite.
Fight the film industry again
In 1991, Zhang Yu returned to China with the artistic experience and new perspective accumulated in the United States, hoping to regain his place in the domestic film and television industry.
Her return has attracted some media attention, after all, she was once a hot movie star in China.
However, the world of film and television is changing rapidly, and new faces and new styles have taken over the market.
Soon after, Zhang Yu got a chance to play a supporting role in a TV series. Directed by an up-and-coming director, the TV series tells a story about urban life and relationships.
Despite the small role, Zhang Yu seized the opportunity to re-show her acting skills through actual performances.
She spent a lot of time preparing for the role, participating in script discussions, and rehearsing with young actors, trying to integrate her acting skills with the role perfectly.
During the filming of the TV series, Zhang Yu's performance was recognized by the crew members. Her professional attitude and extensive acting experience have also earned her the respect of the young cast and crew.
After the TV series was broadcast, although Zhang Yu's character was not the protagonist, her superb performance still made her attract the attention of the audience again, which laid the foundation for her comeback in the film and television industry.
With the participation of one work after another, Zhang Yu's career gradually picked up. She began to receive more film and TV series offers, including some of the more important roles.
She also began to experiment with different types of roles, from traditional dramas to modern urban dramas, and even dabbled in some international cooperation projects, showing her diverse acting skills and ability to keep improving.
After several years of hard work, Zhang Yu has not only consolidated his position in the domestic film and television industry, but also gradually gained international recognition.
New Corner Exploration
Realizing that acting alone might no longer satisfy her desire for artistic exploration, Zhang Yu began to consider transitioning into a producer, which would not only leverage her years of experience in the industry, but also allow her to influence the art of film from another perspective.
Zhang Yu set up his own studio, focusing on the production of TV series and films. She actively participates in the selection and adaptation of scripts, striving to reflect the unique artistic value and social significance of each work.
She has worked with a number of young directors and screenwriters, and through her studio, she provides them with a platform for more promising filmmakers to showcase their talents.
In this new role, Zhang Yu has demonstrated a unique business ability. Not only does she have an in-depth understanding of the arts, but she also shows a high level of professionalism in project management and marketing.
Her studio quickly produced several films that were well received by the market, which won awards at several international film festivals, strengthening the studio's position in the industry.
Despite her great career success, Zhang Yu's personal life is relatively monotonous. She never remarried, had no children, and spent most of her life alone.
Although this lifestyle allows her to devote herself to her career, it also makes her life a little less humane.
Despite this, Zhang Yu did not show any feelings of regret, and she said on several occasions that it was her own choice of lifestyle, and she was satisfied with it.
In a media interview, Zhang Yu was asked about her ex-husband, Zhang Jianya. Although the two have not had much personal contact, she admits that every time she mentions or sees her ex-husband, she still feels a special emotional fluctuation.
She also made it clear that the relationship between the two is a thing of the past, and she is more concerned about her present and future.
Resources:
1 Zhang Yu: From a newcomer in the 80s to a bosom friend of the post-80s students. China Art Newspaper [Citation date: 2014-08-3]
2 Zhang Yu: "Lushan Love" Achieves a Generation of Youth Idols (Photos).Sina Entertainment [Citation date: 2014-08-3]