Chen Kaige

Biography

Chen Kaige (陈凯歌) is a Chinese film director born on born August 12, 1952. He is a leading figure of the fifth generation of Chinese cinema. His films are known for their visual flair and epic storytelling.

Career Overview

Chen Kaige has 61 screen credits in a career dating back to 1984. Their work spans 7 cinematic universes — most prominently The Volunteers Collection with 3 titles. Signature works include Farewell My Concubine, Killing Me Softly, Yellow Earth. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For

Directing

Gender

male

Known Credits

61

Birth Date

1952-08-12 00:00:00

Birth Place

Beijing, China

Known For

• 

  Farewell My Concubine
• 

  Killing Me Softly
• 

  Yellow Earth
• 

  The Battle at Lake Changjin
• 

  The Promise
• 

  The Volunteers: Peace at Last

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 7 universes

• The Volunteers Collection (3 titles)
• Battle at Lake Changjin Series (2 titles)
• The Battle at Lake Changjin Collection (2 titles)
• My People My Country Series (1 titles)
• Ten Minutes Older... (Collection) (1 titles)
• Founding of a Nation Trilogy (1 titles)
• New China Trilogy (1 titles)

Frequent Collaborators

• Zhu Yawen (2 collaborations)
• Jerry Lee (2 collaborations)
• Shi Pengyuan (2 collaborations)
• Liu Jin (2 collaborations)
• Shi Lei (2 collaborations)
• Yu Jinwei (2 collaborations)
• Leslie Cheung (1 collaborations)
• Zhang Fengyi (1 collaborations)
• Gong Li (1 collaborations)
• Lü Qi (1 collaborations)

Credits

• directing (32 credits)

  • Flowers from the Ashes

    director

    directing
    2026
  • Swan Song

    director

    directing
    2026
  • The Volunteers: Peace at Last

    director

    directing
    2025
  • The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death

    director

    directing
    2024
  • The Volunteers: To the War

    director

    directing
    2023
  • The Battle at Lake Changjin II: Water Gate Bridge

    director

    directing
    2022
  • The Battle at Lake Changjin

    director

    directing
    2021
  • Shu Zhen

    director

    directing
    2020
  • My People, My Country

    director

    directing
    2019
  • Legend of the Demon Cat

    director

    directing
    2017
  • China's Megatomb Revealed

    director

    directing
    2016
  • Monk Comes Down the Mountain

    director

    directing
    2015
  • Caught in the Web

    director

    directing
    2012
  • Sacrifice

    director

    directing
    2010
  • Forever Enthralled

    director

    directing
    2008
  • Turandot di Giacomo Puccini

    director

    directing
    2008
  • One 2008th

    director

    directing
    2008
  • Turandot

    stage director

    directing
    2008
  • To Each His Own Cinema

    director

    directing
    2007
  • The Promise

    director

    directing
    2005
  • Together

    director

    directing
    2002
  • Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet

    director

    directing
    2002
  • 100 Flowers Hidden Deep

    director

    directing
    2002
  • Killing Me Softly

    director

    directing
    2002
  • The Emperor and the Assassin

    director

    directing
    1998
  • Temptress Moon

    director

    directing
    1996
  • Farewell My Concubine

    director

    directing
    1993
  • Life on a String

    director

    directing
    1991
  • King of the Children

    director

    directing
    1987
  • The Big Parade

    director

    directing
    1986
  • Forced Take-off

    director

    directing
    1984
  • Yellow Earth

    director

    directing
    1984

• writing (14 credits)

  • The Volunteers: Peace at Last

    writer

    writing
    2025
  • The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death

    writer

    writing
    2024
  • Legend of the Demon Cat

    writer

    writing
    2017
  • Monk Comes Down the Mountain

    screenplay

    writing
    2015
  • Caught in the Web

    writer

    writing
    2012
  • Sacrifice

    screenplay

    writing
    2010
  • Forever Enthralled

    screenplay

    writing
    2008
  • The Promise

    writer

    writing
    2005
  • Together

    screenplay

    writing
    2002
  • The Emperor and the Assassin

    writer

    writing
    1998
  • Temptress Moon

    story

    writing
    1996
  • Life on a String

    screenplay

    writing
    1991
  • King of the Children

    writer

    writing
    1987
  • Yellow Earth

    screenplay

    writing
    1984

• actors (12 credits)

  • Changjin, Changjin

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2022
  • A Special Day

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2012
  • The Monkey King 3D: Uproar in Heaven

    东海龙王

    actor

    actors
    2012
  • Voice

    - Episode 16 (2015) ... actor actors
    2012
  • The Founding of a Republic

    Feng Yuxiang

    actor

    actors
    2009
  • Shiny Stars, Rusty Red

    Himself

    actor

    actors
    2003
  • Together

    Professor Yu

    actor

    actors
    2002
  • The Grand Mansion Gate

    - Episode 40 (2001) ... 府衙差官 actor actors

    - Episode 39 (2001) ... 府衙差官 actor actors

    - Episode 38 (2001) ... 府衙差官 actor actors

    - Episode 37 (2001) ... 府衙差官 actor actors

    - Episode 36 (2001) ... 府衙差官 actor actors
    2001
  • The Emperor and the Assassin

    Lu Buwei

    actor

    actors
    1998
  • Yang ± Yin: Gender in Chinese Cinema

    Self

    actor

    actors
    1998
  • New Chinese Cinema

    actor

    actors
    1989
  • The Last Emperor

    Captain of Imperial Guard

    actor

    actors
    1987

• production (3 credits)

  • The Battle at Lake Changjin II: Water Gate Bridge

    producer

    production
    2022
  • The Battle at Lake Changjin

    executive producer

    production
    2021
  • The Emperor and the Assassin

    producer

    production
    1998