Back to 80: My Literary Life

After Wang Xiaoshuai left, Song Tangtang called Wu Tianming: "Mr. Wu? I'm Song Tangtang. Come to my office. There is a movie script for you to read."

Wu Tianmin has been very busy preparing for the filming of his new film "Face Changing" recently, but when Song Tangtang called, he still put down his work and went to Song Tangtang's office.

"Mr. Wu, this is a script written by a young director named Wang Xiaoshuai." Song Tangtang handed the script to Wu Tianmin and briefly introduced Wang Xiaoshuai's situation.

Wu Tianmin was secretly surprised when he heard this.

In the few years since you left China, so many outstanding young directors suddenly appeared?

Going abroad to win big prizes is just for fun.

But he didn't say much and read the script carefully.

After watching for a long time, Wu Tianmin suddenly sighed deeply and said to Song Tangtang, who was reading the report: "Mr. Song, I am really old."

"What's wrong with you? Are you saying this? Mr. Wu, you are only in your early fifties this year. You are very young. Look at Director Xie Jin. He is already in his early seventies and is still filming." Song Tangtang said half-jokingly and half-seriously.

Wu Tianmin laughed and said, "I mean my thoughts, specifically my understanding and knowledge of the movie, as far as this script is concerned? To be honest, I didn't understand it. I don't know what this director named Wang Xiaoshuai wants to film?" What’s the point of this?”

"oh?"

"As far as this script is concerned, unlike Yimou, Kai Ge and others, whether it is Zhang Yimou or Chen Kaige, the themes they film are grand narratives related to national culture and historical fables, such as "Yellow Earth", "Red Sorghum", "Red Lantern" Hanging high" and so on.

"It is also different from our generation. Movies like mine tell stories about ordinary people, and explore the philosophy of society and life from ordinary people's trivial matters. But this script, although it is also about ordinary people, is actually about ordinary people. A kind of marginalized person in society, talking about personal feelings, look at this line: "

Wu Tianmin turned to a page and pointed:

"Almost all of them are mumbling to themselves, just talking to themselves, asking themselves, and doubting themselves."

"Ten years ago, when I was the director of Xi Film Studio, this script would definitely not have passed the test." Wu Tianmin laughed.

"What about now?" Song Tangtang asked.

"I think you can try it." Wu Tianmin gave his answer.

"Mr. Wu, your words are somewhat contradictory." Song Tangtang smiled.

"Yeah, it's a bit contradictory, but after all, it's not like ten years ago. Society is developing, and film art is also developing. Just because I don't understand it doesn't mean that it's not good. I think we still have to give the young man a chance."

Song Tangtang laughed after hearing this: "Mr. Wu, when you urged Zhang Yimou, who is a photographer, to direct "Red Sorghum", was this the same idea?"

"Yes, that's it. We should boldly let young people try it."

When Song Tangtang returned home in the evening and the whole family was having dinner together, Song Tangtang said: "Minghua, a young director came to our door this afternoon and asked me to invest in his new film."

"who?"

"Wang Xiaoshuai, who graduated from Yandian University, was assigned to the Fujian Film Factory and resigned."

"He? Did he make a movie called "Winter and Spring Days" and win awards abroad?"

"Ah, you know him?" Song Tangtang was surprised.

"I don't know." Fang Minghua quickly denied: "I only read this news in movie magazines."

After saying that, I picked up a piece and put it in my mouth, chewing it slowly, but thinking in my heart:

Yes. It actually attracted another representative of the sixth generation of directors.

Wang Xiaoshuai is one of the sixth generation directors. His masterpiece is the movie "Seventeen Years Old Bicycle" starring Gao Yuanyuan.

Song Tangtang didn't notice his expression and continued: "The script he brought today is called "Extreme Cold". I brought the script back and you can read it too."

"Okay, let's wait until the meal is over."

After the meal, the nanny cleared away the dishes. Fang Minghua first helped the two children with their homework. After completing the task, he went upstairs to his wife's study, picked up the script and read it carefully.

Before coming to this era, Fang Minghua had never seen this movie, or even Wang Xiaoshuai's debut film "Winter and Spring Days", because these were banned films!

I just read the movie synopsis online.

In fact, Wang Xiaoshuai has made many banned films, including his masterpiece "Seventeen Years Old Bicycle", but this one was finally lifted.

Fang Minghua carefully read the script and asked, "Tangtang, what did you think about it?"

"Brother Wu and I specifically discussed this script today." Song Tangtang recounted the discussion process with Wu Tianmin.

"Well, Wu Tianmin has a good attitude! No wonder Xiying Studio can produce so many outstanding talents!" Fang Minghua couldn't help but sigh:

"We have a traditional understanding that film directors and authors are behind the camera, and they point the camera towards the outside to shoot the outside, the workers, peasants, and soldiers, and society. This is called a movie. But this script is not like that, just like Wu Tianmin The murmuring movie asks itself and doubts itself. In fact, it is also called a movie.

"So what do you mean, we can invest in this movie?" Song Tangtang asked.

"Yes, yes, but Tangtang, you have overlooked one thing. Have you seen his film "Winter and Spring Days"?"

"No. This movie was not released at all in China last year. Are his award certificates fake?!" Song Tangtang suddenly stood up as he thought of a possibility.

"You are mistaken." Fang Minghua said with a smile: "The magazine did report that this film won a foreign award, but it was not released in China."

"Forbidden film? Didn't get the dragon mark?!" Song Tangtang suddenly understood.

"Yes, and I suspect that after "Extreme Cold" is finished filming, it will probably be difficult to obtain the Dragon Award."

"ah?!"

"Don't you feel that the story told in this script is crazy?" Fang Minghua asked.

"It's a bit crazy." Song Tangtang thought about it carefully and found that it was indeed what Fang Minghua said.

"Then? I refuse tomorrow? Anyway, I told Wang Xiaoshuai that I would give him a reply tomorrow." Song Tangtang said.

"Let him shoot it." Fang Minghua said with a smile: "Banned films are not necessarily bad films. There are various factors in them. As for if they can't win the Dragon Award and can't be staged in the mainland in the future, then forget it. Anyway, this is It’s a niche movie that won’t do well at the box office. Fortunately, the cost is low and you won’t lose a lot of money.”

"Lossing money is one aspect. If we really can't win the Dragon Award, will the relevant departments be angry with our company if we use it to participate in foreign awards? You reminded us of this issue in the movie "Alive"." Song Tangtang expressed his worries.

"It is also very common for films that cannot be screened in the mainland, but can be screened or screened abroad. Of course, even if you go to win awards abroad, you must obtain the consent of the relevant departments. We cannot touch this red line." Fang Minghua emphasized. Finished sentence.

"But you don't have to worry. As far as this script is concerned, it does not involve politics or sensitive times. After the filming is completed, it is very likely that the higher-ups will agree to go abroad for awards."

"Well, it would be good to get more awards and increase the reputation of our company." Song Tangtang agreed.