Xie Fei
Xie Fei (born 1942) is a leading fourth-generation Chinese film director and educator. A Beijing Film Academy graduate and long-time professor, he directed award-winning films with strong humanistic focus and trained multiple generations of directors. His career blends creative risk, institutional leadership and international recognition, culminating in recent lifetime achievement honors.
BaZi Chart
Birth Time Verification
Core Analysis
Xie Fei’s natal pillars present a central figure of 己日主 (Yin Earth daymaster) surrounded by active creative and confrontational forces. The chart shows repeated presence of 伤官 (Hurting Officer) and strong 比肩 (Peers) alongside 正印/偏印 (Resource), producing a pattern best described as 伤官格局 supported by印. This explains a personality that expresses originality, artistic critique and a need for intellectual support.
The elemental balance: Fire in 午 (two Horses), Metal in 庚 and Water in 壬/亥 create tension around the earthy 己. Fire fuels creative expression and public recognition; Water tests the stability of the Earth daymaster, prompting deep humanistic sensitivity. Metal-火 interactions produce sharp critical intellect and cinematic craft. The presence of 正财 and 偏财 in pillars and later 大运 aligns with external rewards and festival success.
Luck pillar rhythm confirms life events: the 辛亥 and subsequent 壬子 / 癸丑 decades coincide with his rising creative output and international awards (1980s–1990s), while 甲寅 (2000s, 正官) corresponds with institutional leadership and teaching roles. Later 丙辰(正印)supports recognition and lifetime honors. Overall the BaZi paints an artist-educator whose 伤官 creativity is tempered and sustained by印 and timely 大运.
Traits
Creativity & Artistic Vision
High creativity is indicated by 伤官 prominence and abundant Fire in 午; this produces originality, poetic visual sense and cinematic courage—explaining festival-winning works.
Educator & Institutional Leadership
Sustained teaching and administrative roles align with 正印/正官 appearing in later 大运, showing authority, responsibility and ability to nurture talents.
Humanistic Sensitivity
Earth daymaster nested with Water elements cultivates compassion and concern for ordinary people; the chart’s Water-Earth interaction supports his humanist narrative focus.
Resilience & Adaptability
Repeated 比肩 and shifting 大运 signal strong self-reliance and adaptability—he navigated censorship and career shifts, though occasional tension arises from 伤官-authority clashes.
Timeline
Starting at a Prestigious School, Artistic Talent Blossoms
Admitted to the high school division of Beijing No.4 High School. Beyond academics, actively participated in drama performances, played the female role of Cai Wenji in a play, and began developing a passion for film art, demonstrating early artistic talent and an exploratory spirit.
Passing the Imperial Exam, Entering the Hall of Cinema
Xie Fei successfully passed the entrance exam and was admitted to the Directing Department of the Beijing Film Academy, formally beginning his professional study of film art and taking the crucial first step towards becoming a director.
Graduation and the Start of a Teaching Career
Xie Fei graduated from the Directing Department of the Beijing Film Academy and stayed on as a teacher in the same department, beginning his career in film education and creation.
Laying Low in the Tide of Times: Four Years of Cultivation in Baiyangdian
Affected by the 'Cultural Revolution,' Xie Fei was sent down with other Beijing Film Academy staff to the Baiyangdian Farm in Hebei for agricultural labor, a period lasting four years. This was a special time in his life, away from his profession and deeply immersed in grassroots life.
Returning to Film, Learning from a Master Director
Xie Fei returned to Beijing and participated in the production of the film "Azalea Mountain," directed by the renowned director Xie Tieli, serving as an assistant director. This was a key step in his re-engagement with and dedication to film creation.
Clearing Skies, Returning to Academia
After the end of the 'Cultural Revolution,' Xie Fei officially returned to the Directing Department of the Beijing Film Academy, resuming his teaching and creative career that had been interrupted for years, marking the beginning of a new, stable development period in his career and life.
First Directorial Debut, Co-directing "Fire Child" Opens the Door
Xie Fei co-directed the film "Fire Child" with Zheng Dongtian. This marked his first participation in film creation as a director, signifying the transition of his career from theoretical research to practice and the beginning of his illustrious directorial path.
Co-directing "The Guide" Wins Ministry Award, Talent Recognized and Status Established
Xie Fei co-directed the film "The Guide" with Wang Xinyu and Zheng Dongtian. The film won the Ministry of Culture's 1979 Outstanding Film Award, an important early milestone in his directorial career, marking the official recognition of his artistic talent.
Humanitarian Debut, Independent Directing of "Our Field"
Xie Fei independently directed his first film, "Our Field," with the theme of educated youth life. This marked the formal establishment of his personal artistic style and the beginning of his cinematic exploration of humanitarian spirit.
"Girl from Hunan" Wins Acclaim in the West
The film "Girl from Hunan," adapted from Shen Congwen's novel, won the Don Quixote Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain. Its artistic achievement gained international recognition, elevating his career reputation to new heights.
"Women from the Lake of Scented Souls" Wraps, Resonance of Art and Fortune
Xie Fei completed directing the film "Women from the Lake of Scented Souls." The film profoundly reveals the fate of rural women, sparking widespread social discussion and becoming a significant work in his directorial career.
Triumph in Berlin, Sharing the Golden Bear
His work "Women from the Lake of Scented Souls" won the highest award, the Golden Bear, at the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival, sharing the honor with Ang Lee's "The Wedding Banquet," creating a celebrated moment in film history.
Pinnacle of Art, "Black Steed" Triumphs in Montreal
The film "Black Steed" he directed won the Best Director Award at the Montreal World Film Festival in Canada. His artistic talent and directorial skill gained authoritative recognition from the international film community.
FAQ
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