ZHAO FEI (Director of Photography) - "Sweet and Lowdown" marks the first time Chinese cinematographer Zhao Fei has worked outside his native land.

Mr. Zhao was born in the city of Xian in 1961. He graduated from the department of cinematography of the Beijing Film Academy where he studied alongside Zhang Yimou. Throughout his career, Zhao has been a major force in Chinese cinema’s "new wave" movement. Evidence of his unique stylistic achievements can be found in Tian Zhuangzhuang’s "The Horse Thief" (1987), and "Li Lianying: The Imperial Eunuch" (1990, Huang Jianxin’s "Samsara" (1988) and Zhang Yimou’s "Raise The Red Lantern" (1991). In 1992, Spain’s Valladolid Film Festival, the American Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics’ Circle and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association all honored Zhao with awards for best cinematography.

After completion of "The Emperor And The Assassin," Zhao came to New York and worked on Woody Allen’s "Sweet and Lowdown." He is currently shooting with Woody Allen again for his "Summer Project 1999."