1980 My literary era

Arthur Miller shook his head when he heard Lin Weimin's words, "I'm afraid I don't have that much energy!"

Lin Weimin then remembered that the old man was almost seventy years old.

He felt a little regretful and said, "If that's the case, I suggest you choose "Untouchable"."

Facing Arthur Miller's gaze, he continued: "If this play wants to be moved to the United States, the adaptations that need to be made are very small. It can also be regarded as a test."

Arthur Miller nodded: "You are right!"

He had already seen both works, and no matter which one they were, they were excellent, and he was a little reluctant to part with them.

But the reality is that if he wants to bring Lin Weimin's works to the United States, he must do it himself. Two movies are too many.

It's better to test the water first, as Lin Weimin said.

Arthur Miller agreed with Lin Weimin's opinion and took away "The Intouchables".

At the same time, backstage at the People's Art Rehearsal Hall, everyone was busy discussing.

"Mr. Miller really wants to bring Mr. Lin's works to the United States?"

"One hundred percent! Otherwise, if nothing happens, can we suddenly perform these two plays?"

"Hey, Zhuangzhuang, didn't Teacher Lin tell you?"

Someone asked Han Zhuangzhuang, and he shook his head, "I have been filming on the set recently and have never met my uncle."

Everyone has different expressions.

"If these two plays are performed in the United States, we will be really awesome!" someone said enthused.

"What are you thinking about? Going to perform in the United States has nothing to do with us. They can't drag us to the United States. There will definitely be another page in the United States."

"Look at your idea, it's vulgar! Who said we're going to the United States? What I'm saying is that by then our play will be famous, and this can be regarded as bringing glory to the country."

Han Zhuangzhuang remembered a word he heard Lin Weimin say before, "This is called cultural export!"

Everyone clapped their hands and shouted: "Yes, yes, cultural export, the word Zhuangzhuang is well said."

Han Zhuangzhuang scratched his head, "I just listened to what my uncle said."

Everyone couldn't help but sigh: "Teacher Lin is indeed a great scholar!"

In the rehearsal hall auditorium, Lin Weimin was still chatting with Arthur Miller.

After deciding which play to bring back to the United States, Arthur Miller's problem was solved, and he asked the original question again.

"Lin, come to the United States with me!"

Arthur Miller was very sincere, but Lin Weimin still shook his head.

"Why?" Arthur Miller was even more confused when he was rejected again.

In the 1980s, there were many Chinese writers going abroad. Many of them were invited to visit abroad. Among them, very few were officially invited to go abroad. Basically, they were invited by informal private organizations.

For example, the famous International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in the United States has invited many famous Chinese writers to the United States for exchange visits. This writing exchange program started in 1981 and continues two thousand years later.

Some writers who had been invited to participate in this writing project expressed their experience this way when recalling it many years later:

“It was only later that I gradually understood the nature of this activity. It was founded by Nie Hualing and Paul Angel.

They get some money and hold this event once a year, mainly for developing countries, so those who go there are from so-called "problem countries". The session we went to was the one with the most "problems". "

Since there are countries with "problems", there are naturally countries with "no problems". Who is this country?

it goes without saying.

To explain in Chinese, this is called Bucket Station.

99% of the writers who were unofficially invited to visit in the 1980s experienced this kind of experience. Some people were happy with it, while others only realized it later.

Of course, Arthur Miller's invitation to Lin Weimin was more of an official nature, and it was definitely not as exaggerated as those invitations.

But he also knew very well that he would not be any better than those writers if he went to the United States.

The reason is simple: lack of fame.

This is not a question of whether you are Chinese or American, but whether you are famous or not.

Don't think that doing drama in the United States is very noble. Many times, the situation of those doing drama in the United States is not even as good as that in China.

At this time, China has a planned economy, and the gap between rich and poor is very small. Those who engage in drama can be regarded as literary and artistic workers, and their happiness index is very high.

Go to Broadway in New York and see that there are countless unknown musical and drama actors on the street. There are very few actors who can really make their mark. Some of them can't even pay the rent.

Most people who do drama in the United States don't live that cool life.

On the contrary, if you break out of this industry, such as switching to the film or television industry, almost everyone will become rich.

This has to be said to be a huge irony.

Local people have such virtues, let alone Lin Weimin, a migrant.

Therefore, even if he was invited by Arthur Miller, a well-known playwright, Lin Weimin refused without hesitation.

Lin Weimin is willing to let Arthur Miller bring his works to the United States. Anyway, he is just trying the water. If he fails, there will be no loss.

But let him go to the United States now?

Not interested in!

He is not one of those young people who have been brainwashed by all kinds of propaganda. The United States is a free country, and the air in the United States is sweet...

Without fame or money, you are a piece of shit wherever you go!

Arthur Miller deeply regretted Lin Weimin's unhesitating rejection and kept saying, "Lin, you really should go to Broadway."

Lin Weimin understood his appreciation for himself, but this appreciation could not be eaten.

If you go to the United States, you won't be treated like Arthur Miller in China, so why bother asking for trouble?

After deciding to bring "The Intouchables" to Broadway in the United States, the first thing Arthur Miller had to do was to find a reliable translator to translate the script into English.

The first thing that comes to mind is naturally the translator who translated "Death of a Salesman" into Chinese - Ying Ruocheng.

Ying Ruocheng's nickname in Renyi is "Ying Da Wen". He graduated from the Foreign Languages ​​Department of Shuimu University and is a well-known talent in Renyi. When he was studying in Mizuki, he was a popular figure in the school drama club.

Because he is proficient in English and familiar with stage language, Ying Ruocheng led the translation of "Death of a Salesman" this time.

Arthur Miller did not understand Chinese, and Ying Ruocheng provided him with great help when he directed the Chinese version of "Death of a Salesman", so Arthur Miller trusted Ying Ruocheng very much.

"Teacher Ying, I'm sorry to trouble you!" Lin Weimin said politely to Ying Ruocheng.

Ying Ruocheng's face was full of smiles, "Mr. Lin, it is the pride of all of us that your works can be exported abroad. I will definitely try my best."

After finding the translator, the next step is to wait.

There were only a few days left before Arthur Miller left China. Mr. Wan took the time to treat him to a meal, and Lin Weimin was also invited to accompany him.

After coming out of Yanjing Hotel, Mr. Wan asked, "I heard that Mr. Miller invited you to go to the United States. Why didn't you agree?"

Lin Weimin smiled and said, "I thought you wouldn't ask!"

Then, he said calmly: "Think about several aspects. In terms of drama, I can actually do very little. Lao Mi is quite poor in drama, and he probably won't make much money, and he may not be famous if the drama is performed. .You said, why did I go?"

Mr. Wan burst into laughter.

"You, you, you really don't look like a scholar! You never suffer a loss!"

"You have wronged me. I gave the script of "The Intouchables" to Mr. Miller without asking for a penny!" Lin Weimin shouted.

Mr. Wan said: "You don't want any share of the performance?"

"Then you can't let me work for others for free, right? I'm sharing the risk with Lao Mi Tou, an international friend!"

When Mr. Wan saw that he was starting to act like a naughty boy again, he couldn't help scolding him: "Do you call me Lao Wan Tou behind your back?"

Lin Weimin waved his hands quickly, "I don't dare to talk nonsense. You are my personal teacher, can you be the same as Lao Mi Tou?"

Mr. Wan snorted twice and couldn't help laughing.

There was a bit of relief on his face.

I am relieved that my student is not such a shallow person and is not blinded by the small profit in front of me.

The next day, "Death of a Salesman" was officially premiered.

As one of the most influential plays in the American drama industry, the performance of "Death of a Salesman" quickly attracted the attention of the Yanjing drama community, drama lovers and the media, and the Capital Theater became lively again.

Arthur Miller's mission of being invited to China has been completely completed.

A few days later, Lin Weimin accompanied Mr. Wan to the airport to see him off. The conditions were similar to those when he arrived. In addition to the comrades from the People's Arts, several comrades from the Ministry of Culture and Yanjing City were also present.

"Lin, what a pity you didn't agree to my request!" Arthur Miller said again before leaving.

Lin Weimin held Arthur Miller's hand, "Old friend! Just because I didn't go to the United States this time doesn't mean I won't go there in the future. Maybe I will go to your country for a book signing in two years!"

Arthur Miller laughed loudly, "I'm looking forward to that day, and I will definitely go to cheer you up then!"

"You have to remember what you said!" Lin Weimin laughed.

"It's a deal!"

"It's a deal!"

So he watched Lin Weimin and Arthur Miller communicate freely and freely, like old friends, with eyes full of envy.

"Teacher Lin is really like everyone!" A comrade from Yanjing City suddenly sighed.

So he nodded in agreement.

Everyone participated in the reception work. Compared with Teacher Lin's relaxed and approachable attitude towards Arthur Miller, everyone was always respectful, reserved, and sometimes even cautious when receiving Arthur Miller. .

You must know that the other party has Mr. Wan’s status in the American drama circle!

Watching Arthur Miller walk into the departure gate, the farewell mission ended.

Lin Weimin joked: "Comrade Miller's visit this time was not in vain. He sent "Death of a Salesman" to China and took away "The Intouchables". Reciprocity is reciprocated!"

Several people around laughed.