Director Jia Zhangke in action, a photo used in the book by American writer Michael Berry. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A photo of Jia (second from left) with the crew of Ash Is Purest Whiteis included in An Accented Cinema, a book by American writer Michael Berry, which has been published in China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

An Accented Cinema[Photo provided to China Daily]

American writer Michael Berry [Photo provided to China Daily]

A still from director Jia Zhangke's films A Touch of Sin. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A still from director Jia Zhangke's films 24 City. [Photo provided to China Daily]