Film director. Born 1979 in and based in Beijing. Studied film in the animation department of Beijing Film Academy, where he complete his masters in 2004, making his directorial debut the same year with the short animated film Weed Picker. His first feature film, Ma wu jia (2007), received the grand prize at the 4th China Independent Film Festival. His second feature, Jalainur (2008) is set in the Jalainur coalmine also known as the last sanctuary of the steam locomotive. The film depicts the interaction of an old railway engine driver who has decided to retire and a much younger railroad crossing gateman. The use of amateur actors gives the film the kind of uniqueness that would be difficult to achieve in a work of fiction or documentary. Zhao is acclaimed as one of a new generation of directors (that also includes China’s Wang Bing, Portugal’s Pedro Costa), who shoots films on video. Last Chestnut (starring Momoi Kaori), funded by Japanese director Kawase Naomi's NARAtive project, premiered in 2010 at the Nara International Film Festival.

YE Zhao　Jalainur　2008 © Cinematrix