Taken for a ride?

A new book reveals iconic filmmaker Zhang Yimou as a victim of emotional blackmail by his longtime former producer. Raymond Zhou has the details.

Who would have thought that China's most prominent filmmaker has more drama in his real life than the typical plot of some of his movies?

For 16 years, Zhang Yimou was manipulated by his former producer who did not pay him on time, if at all, and wrecked his relations with family, friends and colleagues. The jaw-dropping expose has been penned by Zhou Xiaofeng, Zhang's script consultant since 2006.