Actor's hero role is a license to thrill

Set during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), Awakening of Insects tells the story of how a street layabout in Shanghai, Chen Shan, grows into a heroic underground Communist that risks his life to defend the homeland.

Chen, to hide his true identity, succumbs to threats from the Japanese and turns traitor, while in reality aiding his countrymen to fight against the invaders. As the plot unfolds, Chen has to quash suspicions from both sides to maintain his secret identity. It's a tightrope act that keeps the audience enthralled.

Zhang says he chose the role because it is challenging, as the protagonist is not a hardcore hero at the start but gradually evolves into one. It is this transformation that is so gripping.

"Chen was not heroic at all in the beginning of the story," says Zhang. "Before being enlightened by patriotism, he was just an ordinary person who only cared about ensuring that he and his sister would survive those turbulent days."

In reality, Zhang relishes challenges. He says that as a young actor his passion for the craft grew stronger as roles on screen and stage came his way.

It is not only the thriller genre that he has mastered. Two years ago, he played two roles in the experimental theatrical work, The Three Sisters Waiting for Godot, directed by Lin Zhaohua and toured to Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities in the country.

"The experience gave me plenty of time to immerse myself in the story and to rehearse again and again," says Zhang who highlights the importance of theater where "I can immediately receive feedback from an audience".