Three children, seven million yuan

Chinese film auteur Zhang Yimou has always been a high-profile figure, with a trove of achievements to his name: director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, the first Golden Bear Awards winner in China (Red Sorghum, 1987), three-time Oscar nominee and five-time Golden Globe Awards nominee. Recently, however, Zhang has had another title added to his profile: criminal. After months of speculation, the director recently came clean on camera to Xinhua and admitted he had indeed broken China's one-child policy by fathering three children with his wife.

Rumors first arose in May claiming that Zhang was the proud papa of seven wee babes. After much media scrutiny, Zhang released a statement through his studio on December 1 admitting that he and his second wife, Chen Ting, were the parents of two sons and one daughter. The reason behind his violation of the policy is common and simple: following his father’s wish to continue the family’s bloodline. His Xinhua interview is the first time he has appeared on camera to admit guilt.

Ever since the one-child policy began in the 1980s, violators of the law have faced fines or administrative penalties. Lawyers representing the Wuxi municipal authority, where Zhang’s children’s hukou are located, said that Zhang would probably face a record fine of at least RMB 7 million ($1.15 million).

Playing the dutiful citizen, Zhang stated that he would do whatever he could to compensate his fault.