Zhang Jingchu

Zhang Jingchu

(simplified Chinese: 张静初; traditional Chinese: 張靜初; pinyin: Zhāng Jìngchū) (born February 2, 1980) is a Chinese film actress. She graduated in Directing at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing.

Zhang was brought up in a middle-working class family in the countryside. She studied English in Beijing New Oriental Institute and is fluent in the language.

She came into international prominence through director Gu Changwei's debut film Peacock, which won the Silver Bear at the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival. Zhang went on to star in a number of well-received films, including Tsui Hark's Seven Swords (2005), Derek Yee's Protégé (2007), Florian Gallenberger's John Rabe (2008) and Ann Hui's Night and Fog (2009).

Zhang was named one of "Asia's Heroes" by Time magazine in 2005.