Xu Jinglei
The film is Zhang's directorial debut and would prove to be a launching pad for those both in front and behind the cameras. Screenwriters Cai Shangjun ("The Red Awn") and Diao Yi'nan ("Uniform", "Night Train") have since gone on to direct their own films, while Liu Fendou has expanded into both directing ("Green Hat") and film production (Zhang Yibai's "Spring Subway"). The cast is also notable for the debuts of two of China's most popular actresses, Gao Yuanyuan and Xu Jinglei.