Ling Zifeng (1917-1999) joined the cinema ranks during the Anti-Japanese War, first as an art designer and actor, and since 1948, as a director. Sons and Daughters of China, his maiden work, was one of the first China-made films after the founding of new China to win an international prize. In his life, he directed more than 20 feature films, including Keep the Red Flag Flying, which was his most representative piece and was made before the Cultural Revolution.

After the Cultural Revolution, he entered his best period of film directing, and his films glowed with a bright radiance. These films include Li Siguang, Camel Boy, Border Town, Chuntao and Crazy. He was awarded the Best Director Prize at the Golden Rooster Awards for Border Town.

In his last 20 years, Ling Zifeng brought his specific character into full play. He preferred to draw materials from daily life of the common people in the lowest stratum of old Beijing, to show their struggles and joys in the complicated environment of the old society, and to depict their sincere and kind nature, stubborn and vigorous vitality, and optimism toward life. He explored human nature to a considerable depth, especially the nature and psychology of women.