Research On Visual Language Of Zhang Yimou’s Movies

Zhang Yimou is the leader of Chinese movie. Based on the analysis of his films, it is not difficult to find that his success lies in the successful use of visual language. However, the most frequent criticism his films receive goes exactly with the visual beauty he creates, claiming that form outweighs content. This paper will review and examine the basic characteristics of visual language in his films, interpret the use of visual elements, such as composition, color and scene, and make a deep analysis of the visual and psychological effects of these visual elements in his main works.This thesis takes Zhang Yimou as a "case" to study the visual language displayed in his films. The first chapter of this thesis explains how visual language comes into being and what it is, and then summarizes the basic characteristics of visual language in Zhang Yimou’s films. To study the basic characteristics of visual language in Zhang Yimou’s films, it starts mainly with three aspects, which is delocalization, pseudo folklore and color contrast, to understand the characteristics of Zhang Yimou’s films on the whole and to provide macro theory support for the following detailed analysis of the use of visual language in his films,visual language in Zhang Yimou’s films is embodied in the following aspects. Firstly, the picture composition is very exquisite, often utilizing horizontal composition, vertical composition, diagonal composition, painting composition. Through the analysis of the compositions in his main works, the audiences are informed of the meanings they convey. Secondly, the visual element—color is analyzed mainly through its expressive function, narrative function and Zhang Yimou’s personal color utilization. For the expressive function of color, Zhang Yimou combines the meanings of the color itself and a specific film in order to deepen its theme; The narrative function of color is how the development of a story can be affected by the contrast of area and color; personalized color is a summary of Zhang Yimou’s films, to find out the color which is used the most frequently and can represent his film. Thirdly, the scenes in Zhang Yimou’s films are processed through stage adaptation and ritualization for the sake of the content of the films.lt is the integrated use of the above visual elements that establishes the general tone of a film and, at the same time, reflects the creator’s intention, deepening the theme of the film.The value of visual language created in Zhang Yimou’s films is shown in the following aspects. Firstly, by analyzing Zhang Yimou’s successful experience, we can find out the innovation and breakthrough of the film visual language in order to make a better guidance for the development of the domestic film industry. Secondly, the successful use of art elements in Zhang Yimou’s films provides the inspiration for painting as well as graphic design, and promotes the progress of art. Thirdly, Zhang Yimou’s films have a strong Chinese taste. In his films, Chinese elements are always fully embodied. These ethnic elements help establish Zhang Yimou’s achievements, at the same time, Zhang Yimou’s films play a role in the heritage and promotion of folk culture. Forthly, the poetic treatment of film pictures improves the audience’s aesthetic psychology of visual language while they are watching a movie.