Jia Zhangke. Jiang Dong /China Daily

Jia Zhangke: Poetic realism in struggle

As a flag-bearer of today's Chinese cinema, Jia Zhangke is no stranger to international film awards. Jia's film Still Lifewas added in the main competition at the last minute in 2006 and took home the top prize with ease. The energetic film, with clear-cut themes and poetic cinematography, precisely captured the absurdity of society, and also the hearts of the jury.