1979 Golden Age

Li Xuejian is 28 years old this year.

My hometown is Juye County in Heze, Shandong Province, which is right next to Yuncheng County in Songjiang. This is called fate.

He was admitted to the Kongzheng Art Troupe in 1977, and entered the Central Experimental Theater in 1978. He became famous after playing the role of 101 in the drama "September 13 Incident". In his 20s, he played Old Age 101 very realistically.

101 is bald, very thin, and has a pointed chin.

Li Xuejian lost dozens of kilograms due to hunger, shaved his hair, and performed hundreds of shows in Beijing, becoming the center of attention. At that time, some commented: "This kid can scare people to death if he steps on Tiananmen Square!"

Later, he also made his first movie and entered the film industry.

"stop!"

Early in the morning, at the entrance of Beijing Film Studio, the receptionist stopped him, looked at him a few times, and said, "What are you doing? Who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for Comrade Chen Qi to talk about drama."

"In the guest house, ask yourself!"

"Hey, thank you!"

Li Xuejian didn't dare to ride the car anymore, so he pushed him into the hospital and found the guest house.

He came here this time because Tian Zhuangzhuang introduced him, because his partner was Tian Zhuangzhuang's cousin. Later, the two got married, and Li Xuejian and Tian Zhuangzhuang became somewhat related.

Tian Zhuangzhuang said the show was great and would happen once in decades, so he came.

"Dong dong dong!"

He knocked on room 302, just like knocking on the door of Liangshan Juyi Hall.

"Please come in!"

He pushed the door open and went in, and saw a young man sitting inside. Seeing him coming in, he stepped forward to shake hands and greeted with a smile: "Comrade Xuejian?"

"Are you Comrade Chen Qi?"

"Yes, come and sit!"

The boss of Beijing Film Studio returned to his loyal 302. Chen Qi greeted him and sat down, made a toast and said: "Old Tian told me that you are a very good actor. I have watched your plays and they are indeed first-class.

But let’s start with the ugly words. The leading actor in my drama will be selected through multiple layers of assessments and will not be decided directly.

I'll give you the script, you go back and read it, and then go to Shanghai to experience it for a month. There may be other candidates. After we come back, we will organize a trial show and then finalize it.

If you're okay with that, let's continue talking. "

"..."

Li Xuejian is already a star in the drama industry and has little qualifications in the film industry. He is aware of the other party's weight and does not dare to drag it out, but he does not say anything to death and says: "Shall I read the script first?"

"Of course, it's a two-way choice."

After a casual chat, Chen Qi saw off the guests.

The male and female protagonists of "Life Is Beautiful" are ordinary. The male protagonist is good at humor, bravery, responsibility, and sincerity. The female protagonist has a prominent family background and has a social status.

We can't call it a poor boy. This is a love story between a common man and a princess.

Later, the female protagonist was taken to a concentration camp, and the male protagonist was the family member.

In terms of character setting, the male protagonist is not a tall and handsome type, he is ordinary, thin and thin, but the more so, the more his greatness and sacrifice will be highlighted when the plot unfolds later.

Chen Qi had no intention of looking for Li Xuejian. He was a bit young and what he needed was the image of a middle-aged young man.

But since Tian Zhuangzhuang recommended it, there’s no harm in giving it a try.

As for the others, Ge You has not yet grown up, and Chen Peisi's comedy effect is too exaggerated, and his appearance is not good. It is easy to think of petty thieves, illegal traders, and local gangsters who only appear once in thousands of years.

Xie Yuan can also act in comedy, but again, he is young and cannot afford this drama.

I continued to be busy in the room. After a long time, someone knocked on the door again.

"Please come in!"

As soon as the door opened, a short guy with thick eyebrows and a face full of stories came in.

Li Baotian, 36 years old, from Jiangsu.

He first studied clowning in the Bangzi Theater Company, then joined the art troupe. In 1978, he was admitted to the Chinese Opera Cadre Training Course. He graduated this year and plans to stay in school and work.

Needless to say, his acting skills are very natural, and he is very natural in comedy. His masterpieces include "Prime Minister Liu Luoguo", "Miracle Doctor Xilaile", etc. Later, he stopped filming and retired from the world.

"Hello hello!"

Chen Qi made another cup of coffee and chatted first.

"Are you from Jiangsu?"

"Yes, from Xuzhou."

"Xuzhou? The customs and customs are more like Shandong. Can you speak Shanghainese?"

"Having had a little exposure, I can learn!"

Li Baotian said immediately.

"This is the script, take it back and read it first..."

Chen Qi stated the same conditions, and Li Baotian agreed immediately without saying a word.

The news channel of China Theater Company was very good, and the teachers were all preparing for a unique play in Chuandong Factory, and it was time to choose the leading actor, so Chen Qi approached Li Baotian, and China Theater Company also highly recommended it.

…………

As night passed, it began to rain lightly.

The spring rain is lingering around the willow trees outside the window, and the branches and leaves are swaying in the night. There are fewer and fewer people in the factory area, and only the dim street lights reflect the misty rain.

"Can't you come at this time?"

"See you tomorrow too."

Chen Qi was standing in front of the window thinking, and suddenly he saw a bicycle riding downstairs. A man in a raincoat was pedaling hard. He looked so anxious that he almost fell when he got off the bicycle.

After finally parking the car, I ran uphill.

He turned around, and not long after, he heard a "dong-dong" knock on the door, and went to open the door himself.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry!"

The people outside were panting and apologized: "I just arrived in the capital and it was raining. I borrowed a bicycle and hurried here. I'm late. I'm late."

"It doesn't matter, come in quickly! If you have a cold or fever, I won't feel sorry for you."

Chen Qi handed over a towel, and the man took off his raincoat, revealing a face that looked very funny: thin body, small head, small eyes, splayed eyebrows, big ears, as if he was born with a wronged look...

Yan Shunkai, 45 years old, from Shanghai.

He is an actor in the Shanghai Comedy Troupe. Last year, he made his debut on the screen, starring in the movie "The True Story of Ah Q"!

CCTV's Spring Festival Gala has been dominated by northern comedians since its inception. Yan Shunkai is one of the few southern actors who can occupy a place. His sketches include "Zhang San", which created a very classic role.

He was also invited by Chen Qi and came to Beijing from Shanghai.

Since he came all the way from here, Chen Qi revealed a little more and wrote a letter in advance, roughly talking about "Life is Beautiful".

Yan Shunkai was very excited to talk about his ideas. Chen Qi listened carefully and gave him a script at the end, saying: "I have great confidence in your acting skills. I am also very touched that you came from Shanghai.

But the casting cannot be sloppy..."

He repeated the conditions, and Yan Shunkai patted his chest and said: "Okay, I have no objection! Don't mention a month of experience, don't mention the exam, as long as the play is good, anything is fine!"

They also chatted for a while. It was raining late at night. Chen Qi was afraid that something would happen to him when he went back, so he simply found someone to open a room for Yan Shunkai to stay.

To be honest, Li Xuejian was a little worse among these three people. He liked the latter two very much, and the specific performance would depend on their performance.

…………

He was busy preparing here.

The domestic film industry seemed to be indifferent to the seasons and maintained its own rhythm.

China Film.

The second quarter's film screening was being held. A film had just been shown, and the whole audience was in tears, their eyes were red, and some were blowing their noses with handkerchiefs.

"Fill in the number of copies below!"

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Representatives of film companies in various provinces filled in the form while immersed in the emotions just now. This time, the report was more decisive than "Lush Mountain Love" and "Tai Chi", because this film is not controversial or sensitive, and even a fool knows that it will be popular.

Soon, the list was submitted and the statistics were completed.

"Mom, Love Me Again, 35mm copies, 468!"

(No more!

I will make up for it tomorrow...)