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    Zhang Ziyi was raised in Western Beijing under the aegis of her mother, a retired kindergarten teacher, and her father, an economist. She began her brief six-year stint as a dancer at the age of 11, and although she was able to gain a few awards and win a few contests, it gradually became apparent to her that her future in the field of dancing was not bright. She soon enrolled in the China Central Drama Academy in Beijing to study acting.

Her on-screen debut was Wo de fu qin mu qin (1999) (aka "The Road Home", but literally "My Father and My Mother"), a film by prominent "Fifth Generation" Chinese director Yimou, Zhang. After the film was completed, the media quickly forced upon her the dubious nickname of "Little Gong Li", since a number of Zhang Yimou's films, including Da hong deng long gao gao gua (1991) (better known as "Raise the Red Lantern") and Ju Dou (1990) featured the "Big" Gong Li.