Zhang Tao is a Chinese (People’s Republic of China) director, screenwriter, and actor, originally from Shandong province. The son of peasants, Zhang Tao initially studied law while beginning a career as a civil servant, which he quickly gave up to tell the story of modern China and its evolution through cinema. He he was accepted into the prestigious Beijing Central Academy of Drama, graduating in 2015. During his studies, he directed two noteworthy short films: Yi Ping and Laughing to Die. The Laugh of Madame Lin is his first feature film and was selected for the ACID section of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.