In the glorious golden age of movies in the 1980s, female stars shined like the brightest stars in the night sky. Among them, Liu Xiaoqing and Chen Chong are still shining in front of the stage, but another former superstar, Zhang Yu, has chosen a different path, and her name is now echoing behind the scenes.
Looking back on 1981, it was a year that belonged to Zhang Yu. It seemed that the entire film industry was crowning her. With her outstanding performances in "Romance on Lushan Mountain" and "Rain on the Bashan Mountain", she seemed to have mastered the magic wand of the movie queen, and won the "Golden Rooster Award", "Hundred Flowers Award", "Government Award" and "Wenhui Award" in one fell swoop. In the bag, she became the unique "Quadruple Best Actress" in the history of Chinese film.
The "Little Mermaid" in the swimming pool embarks on the road to film and television
Born in a wealthy family in Shanghai, Zhang Yu has been living in a golden birdcage since she was a child. She does not need to worry about all the food and clothing. This kind of life did not make her spoiled. On the contrary, she spent her growing years searching for her true passion.
Zhang Yu is a typical lively girl, always full of energy, as if her whole body has endless energy. She doesn't like dolls or dancing like other girls. What she likes more is the kind of sports that can make her sweat and feel the speed. Whenever she jumps up, she looks like a little mermaid just out of the water.
Her dream is to become an athlete that attracts everyone's attention, especially in the swimming pool, where she can fully display her talents. Whenever she jumped into the water, that feeling of freedom would flood her heart, as if the whole world was cheering for her. She swims faster than boys in the water. Every turn and every stroke is like a work of art, which makes people marvel.
However, fate is sometimes so strange. Just as she was working hard to pursue her dream of becoming an athlete, an unexpected opportunity appeared in front of her. A film and television crew came to the school to select young actors, and Zhang Yu, with her outstanding image and temperament, was selected.
This is undoubtedly a huge turning point for her. She had never thought about entering the film and television industry, but fate forced her to reconsider her choice. Her companions did not feel jealous because of their failure. Instead, they felt sincerely happy for Zhang Yu. With the encouragement of teachers and classmates, Zhang Yu decided to bravely accept this challenge.
Transformation from a young girl to the peak of the screen
In the past, Zhang Yu was like an uncut jade. Although it shone with natural luster, it had not yet shown its true value. However, as time went by, she gradually emerged in film and television works. As a supporting role, she can always shine with her own brilliance in the limited scenes.
Her unique and charming temperament is like an invisible magnet, attracting many directors to offer her an olive branch for cooperation.
Among many directors, Director Xie Jin is undoubtedly the one who has the greatest influence on Zhang Yu. His discerning eye made Zhang Yu famous in the film and television circles. And when the intoxicating landscape lyric film "Love in Lushan Mountain" was looking for a heroine, Zhang Yu seemed destined to become the focus of the camera.
Although she was not the director's first choice, when all the possible heroines came together, her beauty, temperament, youth and professionalism undoubtedly made her the most dazzling star. The choice of director
is undoubtedly wise. This script was written in only five days, but it became a classic because of the right choice of the protagonist. The tacit cooperation between Zhang Yu and actor Guo Kaimin injects an unrepeatable charm into this film.
And Zhang Yu's acting skills fascinated the audience. She can interpret the subtle atmosphere and emotional changes between the characters with just her eyes. This silent performance method makes the audience mesmerized during the movie watching, as if they are led into the inner world of the character by her eyes.
The success of "Lushan Love" pushed Zhang Yu to the pinnacle of her career. With this film, she became one of the hottest actresses at the time, standing side by side with actor Guo Kaimin in the most shining place. What's even more worth mentioning is that this film has become a milestone in the history of Chinese film and television because of its "first kiss on screen".
The struggle after the peak: Zhang Yu’s "Love in Lushan Mountain" and the decision to study abroad
Her glory seemed to be solidified into eternity in the moment of "Love in Lushan Mountain". That film, like an insurmountable mountain, fixed her acting career at the top. From then on, it seemed that she could only go downhill. Really, after witnessing that unparalleled performance, who could still expect a more transcendent performance from her?
The gripping plot, superb acting skills, and bright and moving costumes all make her beauty and charm in "Romance on Lushan Mountain" an eternal classic.
For her, this is both an honor and a shackles. She is eager for breakthroughs and hopes to create new sparks with different directors. So, when her best partner Guo Kaimin recommended director Zhang Jianya to her, she readily accepted.
Known as the "National Goddess", this double movie queen has been constantly pursuing higher realms in her career. At the same time, she also met love and entered the palace of marriage with Zhang Jianya.
However, life after marriage did not go as she wished. Although there was no major conflict, the ordinary days made her begin to doubt her choice.
Her career is stagnant, but her husband's career is booming and he often goes out to film. This vastly different situation made her feel unprecedented pressure. She began to reflect, hesitate, and look for a new way out.
At this time, someone suggested that she study abroad. This proposal seemed to open a new door for her, giving her hope of breaking through the predicament.
However, this also means that she will give up everything in the country, including the marriage that has existed in name only. She made this decision at her peak and embarked on the road to study in the United States.
The six years of studying abroad were full of difficulties and challenges. She restarted her life in this strange country and re-examined her marriage.
Things have changed, but the actress remains unyielding: Zhang Yu’s legend in the entertainment industry
For six years, she seemed to have disappeared from the world, but the ever-changing stage of the entertainment industry has never stopped for her. When she appeared in the public eye again, it was already on the land of Taiwan. Three years of precipitation made her understand more clearly that the once radiant self had gradually faded away.
When she stood at the starting point of domestic entertainment again, she found that she had become a has-been actress with "no resources and no status". However, she did not bow to fate. With the help of her ex-husband, she stood up again. Although resources are limited, her reputation and acting skills are still online. She uses her own strength to carve out a path of her own.
In her acting career of more than thirty years, she has experienced a huge gap from the peak to the bottom. The woman who once stood at the top of the entertainment industry can never go back. And an inexplicable storm put the heavy yoke of "destroying relationships" on her shoulders. But Zhang Yu never gave in to difficulties. She always believed that as long as there was light in her heart, she could light the way forward.
Today, at the age of 66, she is still active in the film and television industry. Although she no longer has the glory of her youth, her love for acting has never diminished. In front of the camera, she is still the dedicated and fearless Zhang Yu. But in life, without a partner or children, she will inevitably show some loneliness and helplessness. In the interview, she said frankly: "I am quite pitiful." These four words seemed to be her helpless summary of the ups and downs in her life.
However, do we really feel sorry for her? No, she's not pathetic. She is a brave woman and an indomitable actress.In her own way, she explains what true strength and independence are. Although she had no one by her side and no children to rely on, she lived a wonderful life in her own way.
In the entertainment industry, a stage full of variables and challenges, Zhang Yu used her persistence and hard work to explain to us what it means to be truly brave and fearless. Her life was full of ups and downs but she was never defeated. Every setback makes her more determined to move towards an unknown future. Every change makes her life more exciting.
