Back to 80: My Literary Life

In fact, there were some reasons that Chen Kaige did not tell Fang Minghua.

The film "Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin" he filmed last year was a flop.

With an investment of 80 million yuan, this film brings together many domestic big names such as Gong Li, Zhang Fengyi, Li Xuejian, Wang Zhiwen, etc., and is known as an epic blockbuster. Although it has not yet been released to the public, it premiered at the Great Hall of the People on October 8 last year (1998). As a result, it was criticized by the audience and the media.

In the end, the main producer, Yanjing Film Studio, decided to postpone the release and asked Chen Kaige to revise it again.

This caught him by surprise.

I want to make an epic blockbuster, not only for art, but also for box office success!

how so?

The blow left him stunned. Although the film was finally revised, Chen Kaige's Taoist heart was broken.

What made him even more sad was that a senior producer in the industry said to him: Kaige, we have nothing to say about you making art films, but that’s not how commercial films are made. No, you still have to learn. "

As a result, I accidentally heard Jiang Wen talking about this news some time ago, and I suddenly had the idea of ​​​​directing in the United States.

He, Zhang Yimou, went to learn it. Why couldn’t I, Chen Kaige, learn it?

In the future, we will make blockbusters and compete again!

Fang Minghua actually knew a little bit about Chen Kaige's thoughts.

Historically, Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou fought with each other for decades, falling in love and killing each other.

But for Chinese audiences, it might not be a bad thing.

Zhang Yimou is back from studying, and Chen Kaige is leaving again, which is a good thing.

Now Chen Kaige himself took the initiative to request it. Fang Minghua pondered for a moment and said: "Director Chen, I think you are suitable. Let's do this. I will contact my wife and tell her your thoughts. Just wait a moment."

Fang Minghua didn't hesitate, picked up the phone on the coffee table and dialed Song Tangtang's mobile phone number.

In the United States, Song Tangtang bought another mobile phone because of the convenience of doing things.

But surprisingly, no one answered.

It should be about seven o'clock in the evening in New York the night before yesterday, so maybe she was busy.

Fang Minghua told Chen Kaige about the situation.

"There's no rush, I have to stay in Xijing for a few more days." Chen Kaige said, "Then I'll leave first. If you have any news, tell me." He left his mobile phone number.

"Director Chen, don't leave in a hurry. Let's have lunch." Fang Minghua greeted warmly.

"You're welcome. I'm going to find Yimou. I haven't seen him for a long time and want to have a chat."

"Do you know Yimou's contact information?" Fang Minghua asked.

"I know his cell phone number."

Fang Minghua sent Chen Kaige away, and not long after, Song Tangtang's call came back.

"Minghua, I didn't hear you during the meal just now. Is something okay?"

"Chen Kaige came to see me." Fang Minghua told Song Tangtang what happened.

"Huh? He wants to come to the United States to direct? Sure, he is also an award-winning director, not much worse than Zhang Yimou, but it's a pity that he is not from our Shengshi Film and Television." Song Tangtang said.

"The structure is bigger. They are all Chinese directors anyway. Their generation cannot have just one Zhang Yimou."

"I know, it's just a talk. I have to give Wu Tianmin some air on this matter. After all, he is still the Chinese producer of this film."

Wu Tianmin's daughter stayed in the United States after graduating from the United States, so now Wu Tianmin has not come back after filming.

"Don't worry, Chen Kaige is considered half of Wu Tianmin's disciples, so he will definitely not have any objections."

"Oh, one more thing. I received an email from the company yesterday. It said that Zhang Yuan, the director who had just been released from the ban by the State Film Administration, wanted to make a new film and asked the company to invest. He said it was you. Yes, I think I heard you mention him."

"Young man, come directly to me, you have to go around in such a big circle." Fang Minghua laughed and cursed: "I promised."

Fang Minghua briefly explained what happened.

That was the summer before last when Jia Zhangke filmed "Xiao Wu". In order to successfully pass the review, Fang Minghua not only became the producer of this film, but also made a special trip to find the staff of the film bureau.

After the film passed the review successfully, Jia Zhangke thanked Fang Minghua for inviting him to dinner and invited several friends including Zhang Yuan and Lou Ye to accompany him.

During the dinner, Zhang Yuan complained that the leadership of the film bureau was stubborn and conservative, causing all of his films to be banned. During the dinner, Fang Minghua said that even if your movies passed the review, no one would watch them, which made Zhang Yuan very unconvinced.

He said that after he was lifted from the ban, he would make a movie to prove his worth and asked Shengshi Film and Television to invest in it. Fang Minghua readily agreed.

Now, Zhang Yuan and others have lifted the ban and found him as expected.

"Tangtang, just invest in him and let him make it. This guy's movie is a mess at the domestic box office, but it can be done internationally. At least it can protect its capital and win an award." Fang Minghua expressed his opinion.

"I'm worried that I won't make another banned film," Song Tangtang said.

"No, he has just been released from the ban and needs to be honest for a while." Fang Minghua explained: "You can ask the company to review his script."

"Okay, that's settled."

In the afternoon, Fang Minghua received a call from Zhang Yimou.

"Minghua, Kai Ge came to Xijing. I heard that he was at your place this morning. I would like to treat him to a meal tonight and invite you and a few friends to accompany him. Do you have time?"

"Okay" Fang Minghua agreed happily: "Where?"

"Let's stay at the old place, Xijing Restaurant. Book a private room and I'll send you a text message."

"good."

At around five o'clock in the afternoon, Fang Minghua told the nanny to leave the courtyard. He knew he was going to drink, so he didn't drive and took a taxi.

In addition to Fang Minghua, there are Lu Wei, Gu Changwei, Zhao Jiping, Tao Jing, and Hou Yong, all of whom were the backbones of the original Xiying Studio. Of course, they are all employees of Shengshi Film and Television now.

Chen Kaige is also familiar with these people.

Hou Yong, Gu Changwei, Zhang Yimou, and Chen Kaige are all classmates at Yandian. Lu Wei, Zhao Jiping, and Tao Jing are not only members of Zhang Yimou's creative team, but also have worked with Chen Kaige.

Chen Kaige is proud of "Farewell My Concubine", Lu Wei is the screenwriter, Gu Changwei is the photographer, Zhao Jiping is the music, and Tao Jing is the sound recorder!

This banquet became a gathering of old friends. Everyone talked about the past, and they laughed and talked. Of course, they congratulated Chen Kaige on his going to the United States to direct.

Chen Kaige is very sober.

"Hey, what's there to congratulate? Yimou, Tao Jing, both of you have been there. To put it bluntly, we will be students there and learn how to make commercial blockbusters from the Americans!"

"Now, Yimou has returned from his studies. What are you going to make?" Chen Kaige said, looking at Zhang Yimou who was sitting next to him.

"I haven't thought about it yet." Zhang Yimou said vaguely, and the topic turned to something else and asked casually, "Kaige, I heard that the production of "The Emperor and the Assassin" you shot has been completed. When will it be released?"

"Well, let's not talk about it. I guess it was a failure." Chen Kaige shook his head and drank the wine glass.

Everyone was surprised to hear this.

Unlike Zhang Yimou who has always been more humble, Chen Kaige is very high-profile in doing things. It is rare to see him so depressed.

Because of drinking?

Of course, everyone also vaguely guessed why Chen Kaige suddenly went to a foreign country to make a movie like Zhang Yimou.