1980 My literary era

Michael Phillips was already prepared before meeting Lin Weimin.

He has become famous at a young age and is very talented. It is unrealistic to say that Lin Weimin is easy to talk to, especially when it comes to his works.

This was something Bertolucci also said when he communicated with him.

But despite being mentally prepared, Michael Phillips still showed great discomfort when faced with Lin Weimin's strong aggression.

He has also been a well-known producer in Hollywood for many years. Every project he handles, even the director, must follow his opinions. He never thought that one day he would have to listen to the instructions of a screenwriter.

Michael Phillips almost couldn't control his emotions several times and wanted to slam the table and get up, but looking at Lin Weimin's confident expression, he still held back his temper. For Hollywood producers, being soft and hard is a required course. .

"Lin, you can't make these excessive demands just because you think I'm sincere!" Michael Phillips couldn't help but said.

Lin Weimin shook his head, "We have a saying in China, first the villain, then the gentleman. Mike, I think you also know very well that once the rights to adapt the movie are handed over, my control over the work will basically be zero. I now propose These requirements are just to enable the adaptation to maintain its original standards!”

"You should trust my level."

"Of course I believe you, otherwise I wouldn't be wasting my time with you here."

Michael Phillips smiled bitterly upon hearing this. This young and over-the-top screenwriter was surprisingly difficult to deal with.

Because there were too many details to discuss, the negotiations between Lin Weimin and Michael Phillips lasted two days before they finally agreed on all the details.

Then Lin Weimin made a special call to communicate with Arthur Miller that the film version of "The Intouchables" would be based on the American version of the play, and Arthur Miller also contributed to this version of the script.

When Lin Weimin signed the contract with Arthur Miller's company, there was an agreement that the copyright of "The Intouchables" belonged to Lin Weimin, but Arthur Miller's company had to participate in the copyright operation in the United States. Now that the copyright of the drama is being re-developed, Ah Arthur Miller's company must get a piece of the action.

After receiving a call from Lin Weimin, Arthur Miller welcomed the incident. The film adaptation of "The Intouchables" will help expand the influence of the original play and will also be helpful for future revivals.

With the consent of the three parties, Lin Weimin signed a contract with Michael Phillips and handed over the film adaptation rights to "The Intouchables".

After the contract was signed, Lin Weimin received a script fee of 400,000, of which 100,000 was to be distributed to Arthur Miller.

This huge script fee made Michael Phillips feel a little pained. Lin Weimin joked: "Mike, you really should have come to me earlier. A month earlier, maybe you could have gotten this script for 100,000 yuan."

The blessing of the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay gave Lin Weimin the confidence to quote a price of 500,000 yuan. Michael Phillips had to cut the price for half a day to 400,000 yuan, and he could no longer cut the price.

Michael Phillips was also helpless about this. His net worth doubled after winning the award. This is the rule and reality of the film industry.

Fortunately, "The Intouchables" is a feature film, so the investment is not large. His initial plan is to invest 6 million US dollars.

Lin Weimin just won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, so the 400,000 spent is still worth it.

“Happy to work with!”

“Happy to work with!”

After the two parties shook hands, Lin Weimin suddenly said: "Mike, I still suggest you find a craftsman-type director. The script of "The Intouchables" has been polished to perfection. A director who is too unreasonable will only destroy the integrity of this work. .”

Michael Phillips nodded cautiously, "I will consider it, and I will communicate with you again when choosing a director."

The contract has been signed, so it stands to reason that he would have no problem treating Lin Weimin's words as nonsense.

But Michael Phillips was eager for Lin Weimin's other works. During previous negotiations, he wanted to sign the exclusive rights to adapt Lin Weimin's works. However, he was frightened by Lin Weimin's lion's mouth and had no choice but to give up.

But he has not given up. As long as the adaptation of "The Intouchables" is a certain success and there is a basis for cooperation, it will not be difficult to cooperate with Lin Weimin in the future.

You must know that Lin Weimin's "The Kite Runner" is currently performing on Broadway and is more popular than "The Intouchables".

The total sales of his novel "Farewell My Concubine" in the United States have exceeded 2 million copies, and the sales in other countries around the world cannot be underestimated. This is a big IP, and there is still a certain gap between the top IPs in Hollywood. But as long as you work hard, you will have no problem making a lot of money.

Even his latest novel, "Life is Beautiful No matter what," has only been published for two months and has already climbed to the top 20 of the New York Times bestseller list.

As time goes by, it is another work that has been at the top of the best-seller list all year round.

Not to mention that Michael Phillips also knows that Lin Weimin is young and has a large number of works. This is a walking IP library. How can he not maintain a good relationship?

After the negotiation for the adaptation of "The Intouchables" was over, Michael Phillips declined Lin Weimin's invitation to visit Yanjing and hurried back to the United States. Obtaining the adaptation rights was just the beginning, and there was still a long way to go before the real birth of the movie.

After Michael Phillips left, Lin Weimin returned to his normal life and work rhythm.

The script of "Burning" that he had previously promised to Renyi has been released after these days of creation, and he sent the script to Renyi.

The Renyi team that went to France for exchange performances in March has returned to China. Lin Weimin listened to them talk about their experiences in France. It was obvious that everyone was very excited.

So he gave Lin Weimin a letter. The letter was written by Alain Resnais to Lin Weimin. When Alain Resnais went to see the people's art performance, he asked the translator to translate his words to the people of the art. After they finished writing, they sent it to Lin Weimin.

Lin Weimin accepted the letter without reading it. After talking about business, he was about to leave when he saw Feng Yuanzheng waving to him furtively.

"It's so generous and generous. Just say a few words and you're not doing something sneaky!" Lin Weimin said.

Feng Yuanzheng looked a little embarrassed when he said something, but suddenly he became happy again, "Teacher Lin, I received an invitation from Professor Mersin!"

"What a good thing! Xiao Feng, congratulations to you, you will study abroad soon!" Lin Weimin said with a smile.

"Thank you!" Feng Yuanzheng thanked him.

"It's just a reminder. Without me, you will be able to react in a few days. Have you talked to your dean?" Lin Weimin asked.

"No, I just received the invitation letter and plan to tell the dean tomorrow. Didn't I meet you today? I want to tell you the good news!"

Lin Weimin patted him on the shoulder, "Okay, let's talk about it and have a better attitude."

"I understand, thank you!"

Feng Yuanzheng bowed to Lin Weimin, and Lin Weimin helped him up, "Don't be polite, I'm leaving first!"

Back home, Lin Weimin opened the letter brought to him by Alan Reinaito.

Last year, Lin Weimin went to France to receive the Goncourt Literature Prize. The two met at a dinner organized by Gallimard Publishing House and had a great conversation.

After receiving the award, Lin Weimin was invited to visit the theater where Alain Resnais filmed his movie, and they became a long-lasting friend.

Previously, Lin Weimin gave Alain Resnais the popular play "Jia Jing and Hai Rui". He was very interested in it. He heard that Renyi was performing in France, so he went to see it and watched "Farewell My Concubine" and "Set of Love". "Horse Man", Alain Resnais was full of praise. His only regret was that he did not see the avant-garde drama "Jiajing and Hai Rui" that Lin Weimin talked about.

At the end of the letter, Alain Resnais did not forget to congratulate Lin Weimin for winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Alain Resnais is a filmmaker. Although the movies he makes are completely different from Hollywood, he also knows that he has won this award. The award is not easy.

After reading the letter, Lin Weimin looked happy, but the language barrier made it more convenient for the two of them to write letters.

Lin Weimin wrote a letter back to Alain Resnais. In addition to expressing his gratitude to him, he also invited him to visit China when he had time, and then invited him to watch "Jiajing and Hai Rui".

After going to work the next morning, Lin Weimin ran to the foreign literature editing room in the agency.

"Xiao Guo, do you have time?"

Guo Xugang is the editor of the agency, specializing in French and responsible for the editing of French literary works in the foreign literature editing room.

In the Chinese Literature Society, the translation work of many foreign classics is left to the society's senior translators or scholars from various universities in Yanjing. Editors like Guo Xugang and others with professional backgrounds do not have many opportunities.

"Teacher Lin, what's the matter with you?" Guo Xugang asked as he stood up.

Usually, in the Chinese Literature Society, older colleagues would call him "Wei Min", and young people would all call him "Teacher Lin." On the contrary, very few people would call him "Teacher Lin."

"I have something to trouble you with." Lin Weimin took out the letter he wrote to Alain Resnais. "I wrote a letter to a friend in France and I would like to trouble you to translate it."

Guo Xugang took the letter and said happily: "No problem, please wait for me for a while."

Lin Weimin said: "Don't be in a hurry."

"It doesn't matter. Your letter is not long. Ten minutes is enough." Guo Xugang said.

When Lin Weimin saw this, he waited in the office for a while and chatted casually with several other editors.

Translating a letter is not a translation of a classic, and does not require careful consideration word for word. Guo Xugang did not take long to translate the content of the letter and copied it for Lin Weimin.

"Thank you so much, Xiao Guo!" Lin Weimin threw out a pack of cigarettes.

The cigarettes are Marlboro Red made in America, sold at Youyi Store, with a 40-yuan foreign exchange coupon.

"Teacher Lin doesn't need it!" Guo Xugang hurriedly handed the cigarette back to Lin Weimin.

Lin Weimin pushed back the cigarette, "Pencil polishing fee! Pen polishing fee!"

Seeing Lin Weimin's firm attitude, Guo Xugang thanked him and put away his cigarette.

Guo Xugang tore open the cigarette case on the spot and spread a circle of cigarettes around the office. "Thanks to Teacher Lin today, let's take a smoke outside."

Everyone laughed. There were many smokers in the various editing rooms of the Chinese Publishing House. On weekdays, when you open the door of the editing room and enter, it is normal to be filled with smoke.

While smoking a cigarette and chatting, Guo Xugang asked: "Teacher Lin, I see that the person you wrote to is called Alain Resnais. Is he the French director?"

Lin Weimin nodded and said, "Yes, I met him when I went to France last year to receive the award."

Guo Xugang said with envy: "You are really a scholar who talks and laughs, and has no idle contacts."

Lin Weimin smiled and waved his hand. The people next to him heard Guo Xugang's tone and asked curiously: "Is this Alain Resnais famous?"

It is true that Alain Resnais is a great French director, but his works have never been introduced in China. Only a few people have seen his works through internal reference film channels, so not many people in China know his name.

Guo Xugang knew that Alain Resnais was entirely because his major was French. He said in a slightly exaggerated tone: "Very famous! He is an important director of the French Left Bank and one of the standard-bearers of the New Wave of French cinema. "

The term "Left Bank" is unfamiliar to Chinese people, but when it comes to the New Wave of French cinema, many people know from watching "Popular Cinema" that this is a film movement with world influence.

Since he is one of the standard bearers of the French New Wave of Cinema, he must be great.

After hearing Guo Xugang's explanation, everyone nodded convincingly and looked at Lin Weimin with a bit of admiration in their eyes.

Xiao Guo's words were a bit explicit, but his meaning was correct.

Lin Weimin chatted with everyone for a while and then left. Everyone focused on Guo Xugang's Marlboro and smoked a whole box of cigarettes before letting Guo Xugang go.

After work, Lin Weimin went to the post office to mail the letter.

A few days later, May was approaching, and Lin Weimin was busy publishing the fifth issue of "Contemporary" when he received an infuriating news from the Cultural Association.