The first time I met him he walked around and around me with something clasped in his hand. Only later did I know that this "thing" was a video camera. By our third meeting, I still didn’t know his name. He asked me many questions and I answered as best I could. It was a long but friendly chat and I remember laughing a lot.

During the filmed audition, he became very serious and corrected me many times. I felt I didn’t do that well and was sure I wouldn’t be selected. But a few days later I was called in again. He had a dark look on his face and I thought something must have happened to his first choice. I was very nervous but I did my best and at a certain point I saw him begin to smile. Only then did I think I might have a chance.

Besides the other students, I was the youngest member of the crew. Everyone was very kind to me but also very strict. The director was the strictest – besides my work in the film, he made sure I did my school lessons every day.

When shooting a scene, we would do take after take until the director was satisfied. If I made a mistake, we’d do it all over again. And again and again. I often felt frustrated and angry at myself but the director never got upset. He told me to take it easy and try again.

I was told that Zhang Yimou is called the "peasant director" because so many of his films are set in the countryside; I think the description is accurate but more because of who he is and how he lives. He is a very simple and straightforward person. He is a great director and my teacher as well. He not only taught me how to act but also how to be a better person.