1980 My literary era

"Farewell My Concubine" did not undergo localization. It was equivalent to translating the original script and using it directly. The screenwriter became the translator, and the work suddenly became easier.

It only took Lin Weimin a few days to sort out the script and hand it over to Arthur Miller, and then the two of them communicated and revised the script tirelessly.

After working like this for a few days, Arthur Miller said that Woody Allen was back in New York to make a movie again, and asked Lin Weimin if he wanted to go and see it.

After working for several days, it was time to take a break, and Lin Weimin readily agreed.

The next evening, Lin Weimin and his wife, accompanied by Arthur Miller, arrived at the filming site at the Green Garden Lounge.

Among American directors, there may never be another director who loves New York as much as Woody Allen.

There are elements of New York in almost every one of his films, and a large number of them were shot directly in New York.

When Lin Weimin and his party arrived at the shooting scene, Woody Allen was sitting in the director's chair looking at the monitor, and a bearded, black-haired middle-aged man sat next to him.

Meeting Lin Weimin again after three years, Woody Allen hugged him warmly, "Lin, I watched the movie "The Last Emperor", it was really good!"

"Thanks!"

Immediately afterwards, Woody Allen introduced the middle-aged bearded man next to him to Lin Weimin, "This is Francis Ford Coppola, the director of the movie "The Godfather". This time we co-directed "New York Story", Each is responsible for a short film."

The movie Woody Allen is filming is "New York Story", a love-themed movie co-directed by him, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. The three of them each directed a short film and together formed " New York Story" movie.

It sounds no different from those platter love movies of later generations. The only praiseworthy thing about this movie is that the three directors are all well-known directors in the American film industry.

After exchanging a few words, Lin Weimin watched the filming process of the movie with great interest.

Woody Allen is responsible for the short film called "The Troubles of Oedipus", which he wrote, directed and starred in.

In the movie, Woody Allen plays Sheldon, a 50-year-old lawyer. He has a mother who overindulges in him and has to control him in every aspect, whether in life, work or relationships.

Sheldon got a girlfriend, and his mother was very dissatisfied with his choice of girlfriend.

Once, the three of them went to see a magic show. The mother who was invited to the stage to assist in the performance was disappeared by the magician.

But the mother who didn't give up appeared in the sky and continued to scold Sheldon and his girlfriend.

The whole story is absurd, funny, and joyful, full of Woody Allen's early style. It was easy for him to make a movie in this style.

A few scenes filmed today were Sheldon, played by Woody Allen, dining with his mother at the Green Garden Lounge. His mother complained about the bad table, and also complained about the rudeness of New Yorkers.

This group of people will not treat themselves badly. They can find places to have fun wherever they go, and they will encounter unspeakable liquids if they are not careful.

The colorful jokes were so joyful that even Lin Weimin, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help laughing.

I watched the filming of the movie with great interest for more than an hour until the movie was finished.

Woody Allen used the Green Garden Lounge, which was closed, to treat Lin Weimin and others to a meal. Accompanying him was the heroine of "The Troubles of Oedipus", Mia Farrow.

Everyone knows what's going on between the director and the actress. The two have been living together for nine years, but they are not married.

Nearly three years have passed since the last time we met at Arthur Miller's home. Lin Weimin came to the United States again, and his popularity was completely different from a few years ago.

Woody Allen naturally mentioned "The Intouchables" that Spielberg was filming. He was born on Broadway and has always written, directed, and occasionally acted. Spielberg's attempt seemed to him too It's past childhood.

"I really think it would be better for Steven to film "The Untouchables" than to film your film "Burning." Woody Allen said.

"Avi, do you like "Burning"?"

"Of course. Who can not love such an excellent work? Didn't it win the National Book Critics Circle Award? If I didn't like writing by myself, I really want to make your novel." Woody Allen joked .

"Burning" is ruthless in its criticism of the United States. Generally, R-schoolers will not be able to appreciate this kind of novel. Only relatively low-level readers are interested in this novel.

Woody Allen did not mention that if this novel was made into a movie, I am afraid it would not be well received by the film industry and ordinary audiences.

Compared to "Burning", works with a mysterious oriental flavor like "Farewell My Concubine" are safer.

When Woody Allen heard that Lin Weimin and Arthur Miller were going to put "Farewell My Concubine" on Broadway, he said excitedly: "You must invite me when it premieres."

"No problem at all!"

The topic returns to the movie "New York Story". For this type of movie, Woody Allen is very good at shooting this type of movie. Another director, Martin Scorsese, is also very good at shooting this type of movie. Only Francis Ford Copper can handle it very well. La is not good at this type of movies.

Francis became famous in 1970's "Patton," for which he won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

In 1972, "The Godfather" was a ground-breaking success, and in 1974, "The Godfather Part II" continued its efforts, creating a unique series of films in the history of American film. Francis also became one of the top directors in the American film industry through these two films.

By 1979, perhaps because of the success of two consecutive "The Godfather" films, Francis was a little swollen. He filmed the adventure drama "Apocalypse Now" solely. Although the film won the Cannes Palme d'Or that year, it failed at the box office. It was so tragic that this movie, which cost 36 million US dollars, ended up losing all its money.

The failure of "Apocalypse Now" seems to have started the decline of Francis' film career.

Since then, he has directed many films such as the romance film "The Sweetheart", the drama "Betta", the fantasy romance film "Peggy Sue is Getting Married", etc., but most of them have received mediocre reviews and have neither artistic achievements nor box office success. .

After several years, Coppola seems to have only the empty title of a great director.

Countless investors and film critics have sentenced him to death. Francis Ford Coppola, the great director who once shocked the world of cinema, has exhausted his talents!

Francis came to Woody Allen's set today with the idea of ​​learning from his experience.

Several people present were quite accomplished in drama creation. After hearing him tell the plot of his short film, they all frowned.

Francis's short film is called "Life without Izzo". It is roughly about the separation of the famous flute player Gadu and his wife. His 12-year-old daughter Zoe was sent to an aristocratic school to study, and she had an affair with a new Indian kid in the class. Be nice to the prince. The gangsters robbed the hotel where Zoe's father stored jewelry. When they fled the scene, they lost an envelope, which was picked up by Zoe.

Inside the envelope was a pair of teardrop-shaped diamond earrings that my father had kept for the Indian princess. At the grand banquet, the Indian prince asked his concubine to wear the famous pair of teardrop-shaped diamond earrings, but the father was worried about the safe being robbed. At this time, Zoe took out the earrings, and her father was overjoyed. With Zoe's help, Gadu and his wife restored their old relationship.

Nothing good to say!

Lin Weimin didn't know what Arthur Miller and Woody Allen felt like, but this was the only feeling he had after hearing this story.

Francis frowned, seeing that everyone was silent, he already understood everyone's evaluation.

He said with some annoyance: "I really shouldn't have accepted this movie."

Woody Allen consoled him: "Frank, this is just a platter movie. Don't be so nervous. What does it matter if it doesn't get a good reputation?"

The failure of several consecutive films had a huge negative impact on Francis, severely damaging his self-confidence, otherwise he would not have come to Woody Allen to learn from him.

"Frank, to be honest, I think you are more suitable for movies with strong temperament and full of emotions. Everyone has something they are good at, and sketch-style movies like "New York Story" are not suitable for your style. Lin Weimin said.

What he said was entirely from the perspective of a movie fan. Looking at the films directed by Francis over the years, "Sweetheart", "Betta", and "Peggy Sue is Getting Married" are relatively brisk and bright in style. The movies failed without exception.

On the contrary, films with strong temperament and full of emotions such as "The Godfather" series and "400 Years of Vampires" have achieved unprecedented success.

From the perspective of Lin Weimin, an audience member, Francis's films in the former category are completely exploiting his shortcomings and avoiding his strengths, and the gain outweighs the loss.

If Lin Weimin was just a writer, Francis might not even pay attention to his words.

But Francis had just finished listening to Arthur Miller's introduction. Lin Weimin's script not only won the Academy Award, he also won the Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival.

Lin Weimin may not have much say in the business of directing, but Francis believes in his ability in film appreciation.

"Lin, do you really think so?" Francis asked somewhat unconfidently.

"Of course it's true, but this is just my feeling as a movie fan." Lin Weimin said with a smile.

Francis looked at him and did not despise his remarks because he said he was just a movie fan. Instead, he asked, "Can you tell me more specifically? According to your feelings, what kind of movie can I direct?"

Lin Weimin looked at Francis and asked, "Do you really want me to say it?"

"Of course!" Francis said seriously.

"I think "The Godfather III" is a good choice!" Lin Weimin blurted out.

Francis was stunned for a moment, looked at Lin Weimin, and then laughed, "Lin, you really know how to joke. The story of "The Godfather" is over."

Woody Allen and Arthur Miller also laughed, "Is this the selfishness of movie fans?"

Lin Weimin shrugged and said indifferently: "You can understand it this way."

Several people laughed happily. After Francis finished laughing, he said: "Okay, I have received your wishes as a die-hard movie fan, but I can't make another "The Godfather" because its story is over."

Lin Weimin smiled and said nothing.

You old boy, remember what you said. I hope you can still be so confident when you are going bankrupt next year.

Kavinka is so uncomfortable, I have to go through the outline and information. I am almost blind looking for information. There will be two updates today and tomorrow.