
Directing
Born January 1, 1971 · Liaoning, China
Zhao was born in Liaoning Province, and graduated from Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in 1992. He supported himself as a photographer while working on his early documentaries. Zhao's 2009 documentary Petition: The Court of the Complainants premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and is about aspects of the legal system in China. The film was shot over twelve years and details the plight of Chinese citizens traveling to Beijing to file complaints with the central government about local officials. His work focuses on global issues and contemporary art.

I'm So Sorry
2025

Lonely Voices
2018

Behemoth
2015

Together
2010

Petition
2009

Crime and Punishment
2007

Return to the Border
2005

City Scene
2004

Paper Airplanes
2001

Bored Youth
2000

Jerks, Don't Say 'Fuck'
2000
A Social Survey
1998
Guess How Long You Can Bear It
1997

Farewell, Yuanmingyuan
1995
Hard Shoulder
1994
Shielded Wire (Lane Dividing Lines)
1994
Direction
1994