See China

Although Su Cong is the only Chinese citizen to win a Golden Globe, a Grammy award, and an Oscar, he’s not the only one to be honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

After Su’s success in 1987 as part of a composing trio with David Byrne and Ryuichi Sakamoto for the soundtrack of “The Last Emperor,” a new name emerging from Chinese cinema caught the eye of the Academy. Zhang Yimou, whose direction of the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games stunned the world, was starting out in his career as an actor and director. Although he appeared in front of the camera in films such as “The Old Well” and “Terracotta,” he became quickly regarded for his work behind it.

Zhang won a Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1988 for his first film, “Red Sorghum.” However, it wasn’t until he directed “Ju Dou” in 1990 that one of his works was honored with an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film. It ultimately lost out to Swiss film “Journey of Hope.”

Undeterred, the director returned the following year with what is considered the most beautiful of his early films, “Raise the Red Lantern,” again starring his favorite leading lady and muse of the time, Gong Li. Zhang’s film was again nominated for best foreign-language film. And again, Zhang went home disappointed, with Italy’s “Mediterraneo” winning the award. In 2002, Zhang’s “Hero” made the shortlist for the foreign-language Oscar, but for a third time, failed to take the trophy.

Other Zhang Yimou films have garnered Oscar nominations, for individual members of his crew, rather than for the entire work. “Shanghai Triad” was nominated for Best Cinematography; 2004′s “House of Flying Daggers” was also nominated for Best Cinematography; “Curse of the Golden Flower” was nominated for Best Costume Design. None ultimately won the Oscar.

China’s Oscar drought finally ended in 2000. That year, global cinema was swept by a Chinese-language film phenomenon called “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Based on a series of novels by author Wang Dulu, “Crouching Tiger” pulled in talent from all over China. Taiwan’s Ang Lee directed; Hong Kong’s Chow Yun-fat starred in the lead role, with Malaysian-Chinese Michelle Yeoh co-starring; from the Chinese mainland, starlet Zhang Ziyi took on her biggest role to that point; and for the film’s soundtrack, Chinese mainland composer Tan Dun was chosen.

The film was a smash hit. It became the first foreign-language film, of any language, to gross over $100 million at the U.S. box office. Aside from commercial success, it also received critical acclaim, including 10 Academy-Award nominations. In the end, it won four: Best Foreign Language Film; Best Cinematography; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration; and for composer Tan Dun, Best Music, Original Score, bringing home an Oscar to China for the first time in 13 years.

Tan also won a Grammy for his work on the “Crouching Tiger” soundtrack, helped by the haunting  performance of Taiwan-born cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

The 2010 Academy Awards, honoring films that played in 2009, is almost entirely devoid of movies made by Asian filmmakers. However, China’s top directors, actors and actresses will be back next year to try again.