Cui Zhen was born in the 1960’s.
1992: graduated from the television major of the Beijing Broadcasting Institute (today called Communication University of China) and appointed director with the production company Lanzhou Films. He was thereafter tossed between Lanzhou and Beijing from one project to another and was relentlessly tormented by things he considers worth to be tormented: movies, TV series, documentaries, commercials, corporate films or critical reviews. He has been director, cameraman, editor and producer, therefore accumulating many stones to build a career that made his body and spirit become emaciated but gave him a chance to never get bored and to acquire a rich and rewarding experience.
200─2003: main director and producer for Central City media of the following programs: “Theater Memories,” “Urban Theater,” “May 1st Show” and “October 1st Show.” It seems City Media has since disappeared but the couple years of cooperation with that company marked my first years of Beijing torments.
2004: executive producer, executive director and writer for the documentary series in ten episodes "Mei Lanfang." The series has received several awards in China, which is good. It was acclaimed by the public and the profession, which is also good. That is why the fact I got near nervous breakdown several times along the production process is probably fine too!】
2005: special show for CCTV commemorating the 60th anniversary of victory in the Sino-Japanese war -- Executive producer, executive director and writer for the 20-parts series “Life during the Sino-Japanese War” For various reasons, the birth of this film was painful but the result and public reception was good. I felt happy to have made such film a reality. Especially when I got a call from a viewer saying: "If I had not seen your film, I would have never known about all the dirty things and the vexations endured daily. Our old fathers too have been the same type of fearless heroes and husbands.” I was especially glad I chose a visual experience staying close to historic truth and do look forward the next similar experience.
2005: special show for CCTV commemorating the 60th anniversary of victory in the Sino-Japanese war -- Executive producer, executive director and writer for the 20-parts series “Life during the Sino-Japanese War” For various reasons, the birth of this film was painful but the result and public reception was good. I felt happy to have made such film a reality. Especially when I got a call from a viewer saying: "If I had not seen your film, I would have never known about all the dirty things and the vexations endured daily. Our old fathers too have been the same type of fearless heroes and husbands.” I was especially glad I chose a visual experience staying close to historic truth and do look forward the next similar experience.
2008: producer for the HD documentary series in 12 episodes “Taipei’s Forbidden City.” This film won, among other honors in China, the gold medal of the “Record.China” Festival organized in 2009 by the TV Broadcasters Association and a special prize in the Xinguang Prize organized by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. In 2010, it was chosen by the Television Artists Association as one of the 10 best documentaries produced the previous year. In 2012, it was distinguished during a cultural exchanges program between the P.R.C. and Taiwan.
2009: director for the HD documentary series in 20 episodes “China Traders” -- Producer of the documentary feature film "The Bund" During the production process, a number of unexpected stories happened that led to moments of solidarity and courage, ironically very similar to the legends of the Bund’s golden age featured in the documentary! In 2011, the film got the Golden Panda Prize of the Sichuan TV Festival and was it was chosen by the Television Artists Association as one of the 10 best documentaries produced the previous year.
2010-2011: executive producer, executive director for the HD documentary series in 6 episodes "Huangdi.” This film was a kind of quest that could never end and the first investigation effort about a mythological era that can be only represented through logical deductions. In 2012, the film was a finalist (humanities category) in the World Mountain Documentary Festival of Qinghai.
2012: producer, executive director for the HD documentary series in 5 episodes "The Bund." This was a chance to research stories of joy and sorrow that happened on the Shanghai shores over the past 800 years. This project got the Best Editing Award from the New Film Group (CCTV) -- Artistic advisor for the HD documentary series in 5 episodes “Right Mantra.” On the occasion of this cycle of reincarnation, I could feel the strength and the historical value of our civilization. The series won a second prize (humanities category) in the 8th edition of the festival organized by China Documentary Film Commission -- Director and main writer for the HD documentary film in 2 parts “Lanzhou Noodles.” The delicious and warm flavor of Lanzhou beef noodles make me eager to tell one hundred true stories about them and my homeland.
"With an emaciated body and mind, I keep enjoying myself…"