Latest news with #ZhangYimou
South China Morning Post
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
China actress Ni Ni, star of Zhang Yimou's film ‘The Flowers of War', dubbed ‘It girl' by fans
As the heroine of the legendary director Zhang Yimou's acclaimed film The Flowers of War, Chinese actress Ni Ni embarked on her career from an impressive vantage point. Advertisement She continues to radiate in the entertainment industry and is widely recognised as an 'It girl' - 14 years after her debut. When Zhang's film The Flowers of War premiered in 2011, the enigmatic leading actress who portrayed Yu Mo, the vibrant leader of a group of prostitutes engaged in an affair with an American priest played by Christian Bale, captivated the audience completely. It was during this moment that the new 'Mou girl', a fresh-faced 23-year-old Ni, stepped into the spotlight. The term 'Mou girls' refers to actresses who are plucked from obscurity by the esteemed director Zhang Yimou. A complete novice prior to the film, she had no formal acting training and was a recent graduate from the Communication University of China Nanjing, located in the Jiangsu province of eastern China. Advertisement Ni confessed that she had little interest in subjects beyond English, her dream being to become an office lady in a foreign enterprise, much like her aunt, whom she had admired since childhood.
South China Morning Post
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Asia's most dynamic theater experience fuses pioneering technology with cultural heritage
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Advertisement The stage pulses with energy. Laser beams, music and imagery weave a vivid spree. The past and future converge in flawless harmony. In this mesmerizing world of color, light, sound and emotions, cutting-edge technology is immersed in the extraordinary beauty of Chinese cultural heritage, which is in turn brought to life by the pulse of technological innovation. The unique fusion results in a trailblazing art form - a grand masterpiece that captivates the senses, enlightens the mind, and takes live entertainment to staggering heights. From start to finish, the audience is enraptured. Welcome to Macau 2049, Asia's most dynamic high-tech theater performance that blends a futuristic universe of innovation with the lasting beauty of traditional Chinese cultural heritage. Staged at Macau's MGM Theater as the world-class venue's first-ever residency show, the 80-minute masterpiece is curated by legendary Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou - the show's Chief Director. Weaving together eight performance segments, Macau 2049 is a grand tribute to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to China. It also serves as a catalyst for elevating the city's cultural and entertainment landscape, forging a powerful link between technology and tradition that will inspire live entertainment around the world for many years to come. With his bold vision and celebrated aesthetics, the internationally acclaimed artist leads a global team of top talents and a strong crew from more than 20 countries and regions, made up of A-list performers and behind-the-scenes experts. Hailing from four corners of the globe including the UK, the US, Inner Mongolia, Korea, Belarus and Poland, they have dedicated over 2,800 man-hours over the course of nearly a year. All the hard work, combined with leading-edge technologies and a curated selection of intangible cultural heritage, culminates in Macau 2049, an unrivaled theatrical experience that highlight the vast potential of modern technology in preserving and celebrating heritage and together eight performance segments, Macau 2049 is a grand tribute to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to China. It also serves as a catalyst for elevating the city's cultural and entertainment landscape, forging a powerful link between technology and tradition that will inspire live entertainment around the world for many years to moment of the performances is a feast for the eyes and the ears. Masterful art direction, breathtaking visuals beaming from Asia's biggest indoor LED screen, as well as spectacular sound effects from first-in-class audio systems, offer a glimpse into a future of tech-infused live entertainment, all the while honoring a selected form of intangible heritage from ancient China. A plethora of 21st-century concert effects and jaw-dropping stage designs are added to the mix to amplify the impact of the show. Members of the audience will find themselves fully enveloped in the transcendent experience like never before. Their senses are immersed in the motions, music and mood on stage, where state-of-the-art innovation and creativity meets tradition, giving rise to a larger-than-life, futuristic immersive theater Miao Songs | Transcendent, for example, when beloved classics of Miao folk songs are sung to the accompaniment of a kinetic mirror set comprising more than 100 mirrors, ingeniously mimicking rice terraces on the mountains of Southern China, the audience is instantly drawn into a magnificent universe where nature, artistic expression, and technological marvels come together in perfect a lone piece of lightweight fabric dances gracefully on stage in Khoomei | Ethereal, the audience is at the same time treated to hyper-realistic, dynamic sound effects that accentuate an ancient Mongolian style of singing. In the sci-fi and cultural wonderland of Macau 2049, the dialogue between innovation and art and culture is incessant, and technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the audience's multi-sensory experience, enabling them to feel the full force of the amalgamation of the past, present and an age powered by digital innovation and artificial intelligence, the integration of advanced technology in theater performances has become a familiar concept. Yet, Macau 2049 pushes boundaries in numerous ways, not least in its application of the new edge of technology to a long-running theater production performed daily, seamlessly melding it with ancient Chinese culture to stunning effects. By way of example, the use of robots in live entertainment is not without precedent, but Drumming | Shadow breaks new grounds with the seamlessly coordinated, fluid movements of a robot arm and a human dancer. The duo move in sync, and yet a simmering tension is palpable. All this is accompanied by the enchanting rhythms and sounds of ancient percussion instruments. The effects are nothing short of electrifying. Yet the compelling performance also subtly draws the audience into a reflection on the intersection of technology, tradition, and the future of human connection. Is technology in control of our lives or under control? Are we in a symbiotic relationship with machines? Advertisement A forward-thinking synthesis of innovation and tradition, Macau 2049 is an exclusive, must-see theatrical gem, a spellbinding journey where the past, present, and future collide. Unleashing the power of cutting-edge technology and rich cultural heritage, it delivers a truly unparalleled spectacle, leaving a lasting impression on all who experience it.
Fox News
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Humanoid robots bust dance moves alongside humans
In a stunning display of technological prowess and cultural fusion, Unitree's H1 humanoid robots recently stole the show at China's Spring Festival Gala, performing alongside human dancers in a mesmerizing rendition of the traditional Yangge folk dance. This groundbreaking performance marks a significant milestone in the world of robotics and entertainment. The performance featured 16 H1 robots, each standing at an impressive 5.74 feet tall, seamlessly integrated with a troupe of human dancers. What set this performance apart was not just the robots' ability to keep pace with the music and their human counterparts but their mastery of a particularly challenging aspect of the Yangge dance: the handkerchief trick. The robots demonstrated remarkable dexterity by spinning, throwing and catching handkerchiefs in motion, a feat that typically requires extensive practice for human performers. This display of fine motor control and timing showcased the advanced capabilities of Unitree's AI-driven full-body motion control technology. The dance routine was a preset performance based on data from real dancers. Unitree employed whole-body AI motion control to ensure synchronization between the robots, while lidar scans of the environment allowed for real-time adjustments to unscripted events. The performance was part of the annual Spring Festival Gala, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual TV program globally. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the robot dance segment reached an estimated audience of over a billion viewers. This performance represents significant progress for Unitree, which has been steadily improving its robotic offerings. The company's product line includes the more affordable G1 humanoid robot and various quadruped "robot dogs." With the global demand for humanoid robots projected to reach $38 billion by 2035, according to Goldman Sachs, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of this burgeoning industry. The company anticipates seeing its robots engaged in more commercial applications within the next three to five years. The Unitree H1 robots' performance at the Spring Festival Gala is a fascinating convergence of cutting-edge technology and traditional culture. As these machines continue to evolve, we may see them playing increasingly significant roles in various sectors, from entertainment to industry. While the idea of "Terminator-style" robots taking over might still be the stuff of science fiction, the rapid advancements in robotics certainly give us pause for thought about the future relationship between humans and machines. Would you want to see a performance with humans and humanoid robots dancing, or do you prefer traditional human-only performances? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
South China Morning Post
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Dancing kings: Unitree humanoid robots, backed by Alibaba tech, delight Spring Gala show
Chinese robotics company Unitree , backed by Alibaba Cloud technology, showed off the dancing skills of its general-purpose H1 humanoid robots at this year's Spring Festival Gala , China's most-watched television show, to the delight and awe of more than 1 billion viewers. Advertisement The Lunar New Year eve broadcast saw 16 H1 robots, all decked in floral red-and-white cheongsam vests, join a troupe of human dancers in a tightly choreographed performance of Chinese folk dance Yangge, kicking off a hi-tech celebration of the Year of the Snake The tech infrastructure provided by the cloud computing services and artificial intelligence (AI) arm of Alibaba Group Holding enabled the H1 robots to process high-frequency spatial data in real time, allowing them to recognise where they are and coordinate their movements. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. 01:01 Dancing robots take the stage at China's Spring Festival Gala performance Dancing robots take the stage at China's Spring Festival Gala performance Unitree's AI algorithm empowered the robots to 'understand' the music they were dancing to and execute humanlike terpsichorean movements, according to the Hangzhou -based company, formally known as Yushu Technology. The humanoid robots displayed their abilities to walk, run and jump on stage, delighting the show's vast audience. The performance was directed by one of China's most esteemed filmmakers, Zhang Yimou , who also directed the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics The performance marked the world's 'first large-scale, fully AI-driven and fully automated cluster humanoid robot performance in history – a perfect collision of technology and traditional culture', Unitree said in a statement on Wednesday. Advertisement The H1 automatons' milestone performance at the Spring Festival Gala reflects the progress being made by China's robotics industry, which gives the country an edge in its tech rivalry with the US and potentially meet the domestic demand for humanoid robots amid the country's ageing population
South China Morning Post
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
China's Spring Festival Gala delivers rock 'n' roll, robots and political messages
China's Spring Festival Gala on Tuesday evening featured a robot dance performance, an American rock band and hi-tech visual effects, while delivering political messages that reinforced a unified national identity and criticised bureaucratic inefficiency. Advertisement The annual variety show first aired in 1983 on state broadcaster CCTV. It remains a key cultural event in China during Lunar New Year , also known as Spring Festival. Recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's most-watched annual TV programme, this year's five-hour live broadcast drew a record 2.8 billion views – 690 million more than last year, according to preliminary statistics. One of the most striking performances of the night was an AI-driven dance segment called 'Yangge Bot'. Directed by filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the segment featured 16 humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics joined by dancers from Xinjiang Arts University. They performed a synchronised yangge dance, a folk dance popular across northern China. Advertisement Dressed in floral cotton jackets, the robots twirled handkerchiefs – tossing them and catching them mid-air – and spun in perfect sync with the music and their human counterparts.
