In the Central Academy of Drama, Zhang's class was hailed as a "stars' class," as all the eight girls in the class were very talented and tended to cut quite a figure on campus performances. Mei Ting (leading actress in A Time to Remember) and Yuan Quan (leading actress in Rhapsody Of Spring) are from the class.

Though the smallest in the class, Zhang was a typical smart girl, and her performing potential was highly appreciated by her teachers. Besides, she was also a diligent student who never minded hardships. She never cared about whether the role she was going to play was beautiful or not, as she was always willing to play whatever kind of roles came to her, be it a grandma or a countryside woman. Moreover, even at that time she could always act any role in a natural and genuine way, which also shows that her later rise to prominence was not a coincidence.

 Zhang Ziyi's Star Road: From a Country Girl to Golden Statue Film Empress

All the roles played by Zhang Ziyi -- from Zhao Di in the 1998 filmThe Road Home(literally My Father and My Mother) to Bai Ling in the 2004 film 2046 --, regardless of their appeal to the audience, have one thing in common: the determination and tenacity unique to Zhang. Perhaps it is fitting that because of such a character, Zhang has evolved from the countryside girl inThe Road Hometo a Golden Statue film empress in 2046.

Zhang Ziyi inThe Road Home

 The Road Home: Talent Revealing

In 1998, Zhang Ziyi made her on-screen debut as the mother inThe Road Home, a film by prominent "Fifth Generation" Chinese directorZhang Yimouabout a love story between two young people in the 1950s. It is said the director chose her mainly because of her pure and naive face and the pair of big eyes, which, in his opinion, are indispensable to the love affair in an age of innocence. Therefore, Zhang Ziyi, dressed in a flowery wadded jacket and a pair of fat trousers and with a strong local flavor, blended herself into Zhang Yimou's beautiful love story.