Director Zhang Yimou makes a speech at the memorial. Photo by Deng Zhangyu  / For chinadaily.com.cn

Fifth-generation filmmakers mourn death of 'Godfather'

Film fraternity mourns death of 'godfather' of China's filmmakers

"My dear dad, I am waiting for you to come back," said Wu's tearful daughter Yanyan, who is also carving out her career as a director. "We quarrel sometimes, because I wanted you to make commercial films which you wouldn't do," she recalled. "Please forgive my being challenging, but I would like you to know that you are my hero."

Born in 1939 in northwest China's Shaanxi province, Wu Tianming was considered one of the leading "fourth generation" directors, and head of China's renowned Xi'an Film Studio. He was twice Golden Rooster best director. He also helped nurture prominent "fifth generation" directors like Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige.

"He was a typical northwestern man: sincere, honest and warm-hearted," Zhang told Xinhua in an interview. "He discovered many talents and tried his best to help them."

Zhang, one of China's best-known filmmakers who directed the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, noted that Wu in a way changed his fate, as the latter lent him money to make his Red Sorghum. "Without him there will be no Red Sorghum," he said. Calling Wu "the boss", Zhang added that Wu also helped his wife (now divorced) to find a job in Xi'an, so that the couple could work in the same city.

Xie Fei, director of Golden Bear winning film Woman Sesame Oil Maker, said he met Wu "from time to time". "He was older than me but was still working for his dream," he said. "His films reflected the good traditions of Chinese movies, which was critical realism."