Zhang Jizhong to speak at first UCLA-USC joint Media and Culture in Contemporary China conference

Correction: The original version of this article contained multiple errors. Zhang Jizhong is planning to build a new theme park in China, but no partners have been announced yet.

Inspired by Walt Disney’s creation of Disneyland, Zhang Jizhong, one of the most acclaimed directors and producers in China, will build a new theme park in China based on the popular Chinese legend of the Monkey King.

“When the second Disney park was built, (Walt Disney) was no longer in this world, but he created something awesome for the American people and the world … it’s a … cultural landmark,” Zhang said.

Zhang, who is known for directing and producing adaptations of classic Chinese stories, has built 11 movie cities in China. These movie cities were originally built for movie production and then transitioned into tourist attractions with additional funding by the local government.

Zhang will be the keynote guest speaker at the first UCLA–USC joint Media and Culture in Contemporary China conference today at the James West Alumni Center. The second day of the two-day conference will be held at USC’s Annenberg Auditorium.

The conference will explore two concepts: the globalization of film and popular culture in contemporary China (more specifically, film and television).

Zhang said that he wanted to be a part of the conference because he wanted to exchange views and listen to ideas from top-class experts about the film industry. He also said he plans to talk about his personal experiences with Chinese media, from the past 30 years to the opening of the reform policy.

“Since I was producing … I witnessed all the ups and downs during the reform. I think I’m in the position to share … all about the experience and the pain and joy during this period,” Zhang said.

Zhang will be alongside several other industry professionals, including Martin Kaplan, the founding director of USC’s Norman Lear Center, whose mission is to study the impact of entertainment on society not only in the United States, but globally. Kaplan, who used to be an executive for Walt Disney Studios, said that he is excited for the project.

“When the organizers at UCLA invited me to be a sponsor and co-host of the conference, I jumped at the chance. … It’s very exciting to do something that connects the Trojans and Bruins. It doesn’t happen all that often,” Kaplan said.

The chief organizer of the conference, UCLA history Professor Andrea S. Goldman, said that the conference is unique in that it is not just about academics, but that it is trying to create conversation between people who are artists in the practice of filmmaking and people who study it academically.

Goldman, who specializes in the knowledge of the Qing dynasty and modern China, said that Zhang’s idea for incorporating the Monkey King into his upcoming theme park was brought about because the character is so famous in China.

The original story of the Monkey King was told in the classic Chinese novel, “Journey to the West,” which was written around 1600. The central character of the novel is the Monkey King, who has special powers. As a result, heaven secludes him to stop him from wreaking havoc. Meanwhile, a monk travels to India to bring back Buddhist scriptures, and on his journey, he encounters and frees the Monkey. The Monkey and other characters later become disciples of the monk.

The theme park is expected to be completed in the next three to five years. It is a $3 billion project, and Zhang said that the first concept design has been completed.

In addition to designing a theme park, Zhang is working on an upcoming movie trilogy based on the Monkey King legend. He said he will collaborate with Hollywood and that the movie will be released in the United States.

“There is a huge gap between China and the United States in movie and television production since the U.S. has such a mature industry. We’re trying to reduce that gap (and) balance points between the two value systems. So far, we have made progress,” Zhang said.