Xie Fei (谢飞 Xiè Fēi) was born in Yan'an（延安 Yán'ān）, Shaanxi Province （陕西省 Shǎnxī Shěng）on August 14, 1942. In 1965, Xie graduated from Beijing Film Academy, in which he later became a professor, dean of the Director Department. He is a member of the council of the Chinese Filmmakers' Association and Executive Vice Chairman of the Chinese Film Directors' Association. Among all the Chinese directors, Xie is one of the most frequent laureate of various awards both from China and abroad. In 2001, Xie was also the first Chinese to be invited to sit on Berlin Film Jury. He has also served as jury member on many award committees, among them the Chinese Golden Rooster Awards and the World Film Festival at Montreal.
In 1978, he co-directed the film Huowa(Fire Child). The movie Guide he engaged in directing the next year won the Excellent Film Award issued by the Ministry of Culture. Xie presented Our Field, the first film he directed independently in 1983. His distinctive idealism outlined in this film.
In 1986, Xie directed Girl from Hunan, which tells the story about the life and struggle of a child bride. Xie endeavored to integrate the traditional narrative way and modern esthetic pursuit with a dynamic tempo. With a very vivid and touching story, the film won the Golden Panda Award, Montpelier in 1988; as well as the Don Quixote Award, Spain.
Another work that fully embedded his idealism,Black Snow, was shot in 1989 with a tragical and realistic style. The movie carved the psychology of common workers under the bigger backdro of rapid societal changes. It won the Silver Bear Award in Berlin, and was graded the Best Film - Hundred Flowers Award （百花奖 bǎihuā jiǎng）in 1990.
In 1991, Xie assumed the general director to shoot The Sun over the Himalayas, which comprehensive reflects Tibet's new achievements and outlook. The film is a rare work in Chinese movie history.
The Women from the Lake of Scented Souls in 1993 received the Golden Bear Award at the 1993 Berlin International Film Festival. The work does not only reflect the rough lives of Chinese women in the rural area, but also demonstrate their purity, diligence and fortitude.
A Mongolian Tales Hot in 1995 tells a touching story of separation, reunio, joy and disappointment.Song of Tibet（益西卓玛 Yìxī Zhuómǎ）in 2000 tells a love story of a Tibetan woman with three men. The film features a gorgeous picture of half-century history in Tibet. All the performers are local Tibetans and dialogues are also in Tibet.
For more than 30 years in his career as a director, Xie has always been consistent in pursuing his artistic objective instead following various commercial trends in the industry. However, with his established thoughts and style, almost each of his works won an acclaim either from home or overseas.
Filmography
1986 A Girl from Hunan （湘女潇潇 xiāngnǚ xiāoxiāo）
1990 Black Snow （黑雪 hēi xuě）
1993 Woman Sesame Oil Maker （香魂女 xiānghúnnǚ）
1995 A Mongolian Tale （黑骏马 hēi jùnmǎ）
