I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 1059 1054. Diversity of Art

Xu Xin actually didn’t tell Dapeng that he had submitted the script.

Instead, he sent it directly to the Art Creation Center.

If the Art Creation Center didn’t pass, Dapeng would have to find someone else.

However, the threshold of the Art Creation Center is not very high. On the contrary, it is not high, but it is more complicated.

It’s like asking you to write a 400-word essay on a topic. Others will start writing after thinking about the topic, but when you go to the Art Creation Center, it still requires you to write at least a 300-word outline to plan the structure of the text.

The main reason why the studio has multiple rounds of review is that they don’t want the director to ruin a good story.

They must have a clear and well-organized understanding of the story they want to apply for or the script they want to get funding for.

How you should shoot, how to shoot, how to divide the shots, how to show the characteristics of the characters, etc., all need to be written in detail like a report.

Once written and passed, it cannot be moved.

Of course, you are allowed to make changes, but the producer will judge by your report.

It is one thing for you to make a report, and it is fine to make the film according to the theme, but it is fine to add icing on the cake with careful craftsmanship. But if you write it in writing and the film is completely different, it will definitely not work.

At first glance, this requirement is nonsense.

After all, art is difficult to quantify.

Especially if you really meet a director like Wang Jiawei, if you ask him what to shoot tomorrow and how to shoot it, he may not know it himself.

But the most basic elements for the director to shoot a movie must be complete.

And these most basic elements are actually the main thread and trunk of the story. No matter how fancy you are in the plot, the story will not change.

Once it is changed, it means that the direction of the whole story has changed.

They are preventing this kind of director's messy behavior.

And doing so, in a sense, is more like a combination of Hollywood's producer-centered system and OLD SCHOOL's director-centered system.

But there is no standardized set of things yet.

It tests the producer's emotional intelligence and business ability.

How to get along with the director, how to use rich experience to control the direction of the film, etc.

This is also the main reason why the factory is extremely short of excellent producers now.

The old people have their own jobs. After one movie, they may have to work on the next project without stopping. But the newcomers are still growing.

In a sense... it's difficult.

Of course, this is a bit far-fetched.

In general, in Xu Xin's memory, the story of Dapeng's script is okay. It is a tragic core wrapped in a comedic coat.

As long as the plot is well connected, this kind of story is a very classic and everlasting drama template.

With this kind of routine of tragedy at the core and comedy on the outside, as long as it is not messed up, and with the control of the factory, the effect should not be bad.

What's more... he is the apprentice of Mr. Benshan.

That piece of white mountains and black waters is full of outstanding people and beautiful scenery.

You can't underestimate a school that can carry forward a niche art.

...

After a cup of coffee, Xu Xin's fatigue gradually subsided.

The dinner party in the evening was in the hotel.

To be honest, not many people came.

Apart from the jury, there were 7 people from the film festival.

First, the rules were read out, such as the absolute confidentiality of the information of the judges' personal votes for the films, the confidentiality of the judging process, the confidentiality of the awards, etc.

These are the most basic ones.

But some things can actually be moved a little.

For example, last year, he was reminded by Wang Jiawei and knew that he would definitely win an award.

He just didn't know what it was.

Xu Xin "asked himself", if the Chinese film didn't win the award, he would definitely keep it secret.

But if it won the award...

My eyes were dry, and I accidentally blinked and sent a Morse code, then it must not be my fault, right?

I still said the same thing.

Our Xu dog...

No.

Our old Xu.

There is quality.

But not much.

At the banquet in the evening, Xu Xin and Corporal James chatted well.

Others can only be described as "enthusiastic but unfamiliar".

Including the eldest princess of the 007 family, Barbara.

Although they are all judges, it is obviously unlikely to become friends after a dinner. What's more, the guy in "The Green Hornet" was quite embarrassed... He knew that he had a good relationship with Jay Chou.

And "The Green Hornet" was so bad... It seemed that he would not use Xu Xin's "friend".

But anyway, although they are not friends for the time being, after all, they just met, but the relationship is not tense.

As one of the three major European film festivals, the Berlin Film Festival trusts them and invites and appoints them as judges for the main competition unit of the 64th Berlin Film Festival.

Compared with personal relationships, everyone cares more about the responsibility behind this honor.

Even if Xu Xin expects Chinese films to perform well, he has no intention of showing any mercy in terms of the judging criteria.

Good is good.

The Chinese people do not steal or rob.

If you want to win, you must win openly.

If you lose, you must let everyone see the heritage and breadth of our ancient country with a five-thousand-year-old culture under the magnificent power of heaven!

When you go out, you represent the face of the Chinese people.

He can be embarrassed.

But he must never discredit his own country!

…

December 1st.

A sudden snowfall hit Berlin.

When Xu Xin walked out of the hotel, he looked at the snowflakes flying in the sky, and suddenly a light bulb went off in his head...

"Meng Meng."

"Ah?"

With a big earmuff on her ear and a heavy ski suit, people who didn't know her thought she was going to go skiing. Su Meng turned her head in confusion:

"Brother Xu, what's wrong?"

Her outfit was actually for Norway.

After all, after a round of review, she would follow Brother Xu to Norway to see the Northern Lights.

The cunning assistant had already asked Sister Apple to bring her snowboard there in advance.

She vowed to enjoy the Northern Lights and ski resorts in Norway.

Oh, yes, and take a lot of photos.

These earmuffs, bunny gloves, etc., were all bought to look cute when taking selfies at the ski resort.

But now in this not-so-big snow in Berlin, it seems a bit out of place.

"You shouldn't wear this today."

"Ah? Why?"

"You should wear a Soviet military coat."

"..."

Su Meng's mouth twitched.

She vaguely felt that what Brother Xu said was a bit hellish.

But as the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together.

Xu Xin is such a dog. If there is no Husky beside him, not to mention others, even he himself will feel lonely.

The Husky with three fires between his eyebrows tilted his head:

"Then should I carry another red flag and plant it on the roof of Berlin City Hall later?"

"Haha."

Xu Xin laughed happily.

"That's not necessary. Today we are going to plant the flag of victory on the top of the Golden Bear's head!"

"..."

Su Meng's mouth twitched.

Although she knew Brother Xu's ambitions at the moment, he must have felt that the two of them were the Soviet army that invaded Berlin...but the question is, is it really appropriate to plant the flag so high in the morning?

Don't be so toxic.

She quickly covered Xu Xin's mouth with a glove with a rabbit pattern:

"Brother Xu, stop raising flags randomly!"

"Hehe."

Xu Xin glanced at the driver who was still waiting for him to get on the bus, and endured the word "Davarish"... He was also afraid that the Germans would think he was racist.

But before getting on the bus, he still silently shouted in his heart:

"Hurrah!"

...

"Good morning, Xu."

"Morning, Barbara. You look great."

"Haha, thank you, Xu."

In the small screening room inside the Golden Bear Awards, when Xu Xin arrived, only three of the eight judges had arrived.

But now it was half an hour before the agreed time of 9:30, so everyone was not in a hurry.

The judges of this film festival were 4 men and 4 women.

Xu Xin sat next to the Oscar Best Supporting Actor, Christoph Waltz, who became famous for "Inglourious Basterds".

As soon as Xu Xin sat down, he smelled a faint smell of cigarettes on this big brother.

So he laughed.

I didn't notice it last night, but it turned out that there were smokers here too.

"Hello, Xu."

"Hi, Chris. What brand?"

They are both smokers.

Christopher was happy when Xu Xin spoke.

He took out a pack of Winston from his trouser pocket.

Xu Xin had smoked this cigarette in the United States. It was okay, but not as fragrant as the flue-cured tobacco in China.

So he waved his hand and took out the Zhonghua in his pocket and gestured.

Christopher's eyes also showed a hint of curiosity.

Then, the elder brother looked at the time.

Although Xu Xin had just sat down, he still made an invitation:

"Shall we go and try it?"

"Haha, let's go."

So the two smokers walked out directly.

Right in front of the trash can outside, you try my Winston, I try your Zhonghua.

Because they had already eaten yesterday, they were not unfamiliar, and they talked about Hollywood.

He seemed to know that Xu Xin and Paramount had cooperated on a movie, but he was not very clear about the specific details.

After asking, when he learned that there was only a $25 million investment, the elder brother exchanged phone numbers with Xu Xin. Straightforwardly:

"If there is any opportunity in the future, I can recommend it to him."

Obviously, a movie of this size... in his opinion, it is just a low-budget movie.

But he has seen "Perfect" and knows that the director who won the best film last year is not a simple director.

This is how relationships are built.

While the two of them were smoking, the other judges came.

Seeing the two smoking, he greeted them and walked in first.

After all, it was snowing.

When the two finished smoking and walked into the house, not only the judges had arrived, but also the staff.

They had to ensure that the judges did not use any video equipment to record the screen during the screening, and were responsible for keeping these unreleased film films to prevent them from leaking out.

It was a bit like taking off pants to fart.

After all, the judges would not lower their status to do such a thing.

But tradition is tradition, and everyone didn't care.

At the suggestion of Corporal James, everyone listened to his taste choice.

The first film, under his curiosity, was a movie called "The Grand Budapest Hotel".

Soon, the curtains were drawn.

In the dim light, a touch of... almost gorgeous color came into Xu Xin's eyes.

Looking at the picture with extremely symmetrical beauty and extremely pleasing color, Xu Xin lowered his head and looked at the contents of the information book in his hand.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel".

Director: Wes Anderson.

This guy... isn't bad.

…

Speaking from my heart.

Xu Xin who watched "The Grand Budapest Hotel" can be described in four words.

Delightful for the eyes.

The director's use of tone is actually not a particularly profound technique.

But it happens to be an unusual combination in the movie.

but……

"What do you think?"

Corporal James asked after the movie.

Although the first round of judges does not vote.

But they can discuss it.

Or speak your mind and inspire others.

"..."

"..."

"..."

No one spoke.

I don’t know if I’m still thinking about this movie or if I don’t know how to answer.

But Xu Xin prefers the former.

This movie is actually a very interesting movie.

It is somewhat similar to Zweig's "Yesterday's World: Memories of a European".

After Lu Haibo recommended this book to him, he read it.

Even if you think about it carefully, the core of the film and this memoir are actually similar.

Was it adapted based on this?

While he was thinking about it, he heard Christopher over there say:

"It's very similar to Zweig's "The World of Yesterday"..."

Xu Xin turned his head and glanced at Big Brother.

Sure enough, no one who can come here is a idiot.

Everyone has their own understanding of this movie.

And with him at the beginning, the movie soon entered a state of discussion:

"I think the most interesting thing about this movie is that all the wonderful adventures and interesting trips that Mr. Gustav took are all accompanied by the simple sentence "They dragged him out of the car and beat him to death." It disappears into thin air, which makes people feel that no matter how beautiful the experience is, it will eventually be crushed by the cruel reality... I really like this kind of layered gap."

"Not only that, he also has a satire of war...or a discussion of the ambiguity between civilization and barbarism. The soldiers they met in a car for the first time, even during the war, were It was a civilized approach. But it was different the second time. After Zhupoloka no longer existed independently, barbarism invaded it, so the soldiers in the second time were like synonyms for barbarism, no matter what they were under the cold war machine. The art of this kind or the brilliance of humanity are all lost to the invisible..."

"For an American, I actually see it from a slightly different perspective than everyone else. To me, it is more like a nostalgia for the old times. The old times, the old people, the bustling center of the world... I actually watched the whole movie There are many metaphors, just like what is said in the movie, the reason why many people like "ruins" is not because it was once intact, but because the ruins will be modified by their memories and become what they imagine... …”

"I don't know if you saw it, but the shootout scene was actually very interesting. If I'm not mistaken, the actors, props, and costumes he chose are all directional... as if they are referring to different eras. people……"

Everyone is talking.

Except Xu Xin.

He was just looking at the black screen in a daze.

Until Corporal James, who discovered him fishing in the water, found him:

"Xu, what do you think?"

Following his words, several other judges looked at him.

In this review, there are producers, directors, actors... everyone is not simple.

Although it is a discussion, it actually has the flavor of "each showing its own strengths".

And the youngest person here is obviously Xu Xin.

Greta Gorwig is 3 years older than him and was born in 1983.

While a group of people were discussing, he kept his mouth shut... It would be a bit unsocial not to say anything, but after all, you have to give some fresh feedback... or feedback that no one has said before, after you have been thinking about it for so long, right?

Examine.

Or...expectation.

Or maybe it's curiosity.

The looks are different.

But the current atmosphere actually echoes an old saying in China.

It's a mule or a horse, come out and take a walk.

So, after Xu Xin came to his senses, he glanced at everyone and raised two fingers:

"Two points actually seem more interesting to me."

As he said that, he looked at the young lady who was born in 1983:

"I won't talk about the color. What I care about more is the director's shooting techniques. His shooting techniques... Looking at the whole film, in fact, 90% of the techniques are just horizontal and vertical panning." Madam, have you noticed?"

Greta Gorwig was startled.

Seeing this, Xu Xin did not pursue her answer and just continued:

"This kind of horizontal and vertical swing, paired with its symmetrical style, actually expresses a cold tone very intuitively. Even though his colors are very gorgeous, the background of this film is cold. Just now Farahani and Barba La debated whether this was an extension of absurd comedy, but the director actually gave his own interpretation in the film."

As he spoke, he did not try to summarize whether this was an absurd comedy or not, but continued to raise his second finger:

"And... I found that everyone has overlooked one thing. That is, this film covers three time periods. One is modern, which is the time when the author published the novel, and the other is when the author listened to Zero The screen size is different from the era of Mr. Gustav's story and the experiences of Gustav and Zero at the end.

Although these are just some small changes, it can be seen that the director put some thought into it.

As everyone knows.

The screen movie ratio in the 1930s was 1.375 to 1.

In the 1960s, the screen size of most theaters was 2.35:1.

But by the 1980s, all mainstream movie theaters were 1.85 to 1.

I think the timeline told by the director should be here. "

He didn't say anything particularly original.

Or maybe it’s the overall view of the film.

No need.

From what these people just said, you can actually tell that none of them are simple people.

And reviewing movies is not a debate of opinions.

I have to use my ideas to convince you to join my camp.

Otherwise we are enemies...

That's nonsense.

A large part of the reason why movies are called art is that everyone can see something that belongs to them in a fixed image.

For example, some people saw the train, others were paying attention to the scenery along the way, and still others were observing the passengers on the train.

To put it bluntly, the picture is fixed. But in each fixed frame, the movie contains visual units that can accommodate everyone's own understanding.

What did you see, what did you think of, what did you feel...

That's all your own business.

This is like a person who weighs more than 200 pounds and spent a year to lose weight. Some people think... wow, so inspiring.

But when some people first read this news, they will have a feeling of "What does your fatness and thinness have to do with me? Why should I pay for your changes?"

And if this incident is made into a movie and is written about in a big way, Xu Xin doesn't know what others will think.

His first thought was that he was sick.

An actor dedicates himself to his role, which is the most basic professional ethics of an actor.

If even this is necessary to promote the so-called competitive or inspirational...

That is the tragedy of the entire industry.

So, everyone here has his or her own opinion.

Everyone has their own point of view.

The judging of film festivals is not a sport where one convinces the other.

Whoever the judges think is better, just vote for it.

The final result is only a victory for the majority, but it is definitely not a defeat for the minority.

Therefore, Xu Xin just expressed what he saw from the perspective of a director.

He loved the movie.

I like its composition, the tone, the way he tells stories, and the quackery that makes him laugh and curse at his fingertips.

Yes……

Xu Xin saw in this film a kind of... unique Jianghu atmosphere that exists among the marketplace.

very funny.

It's like an old man basking in warmth at the door, telling you a story that seems absurd, but is actually absurd, but can make you think deeply.

After hearing his words, some people fell into deep thought.

But the jury chairman, five-star Corporal James, did not.

He just asked:

"So, as a side note, if this were the final review, would you vote on it?"

"I won't."

Unexpectedly, the first person to say this was Xu Xin.

He didn't even think much about it.

Seeing everyone looking at him again, Xu Xin just shook his head slightly:

"I admit that this movie is great. The theme is very clear. The lens and visual sense brought me great enjoyment. Even after the movie is released, I will buy a DVD and go back to study it again and again. But... in my I feel that he gave me too much, leaving me no possibility to think. Even the director's symmetrical aesthetics is a shackle in my opinion.

In fact, it's like what I just said. Everyone is discussing its theme and its ideas...but the rhythm of the movie is that he kept holding my head down while watching it.

No empathy, no thinking. He didn't leave me any room to expand.

Of course, it’s not impossible. For example, the thoughts about ruins, civilization, and barbarism...but it's not enough.

It's a good movie, no doubt about it. But the director set the boundaries very clearly. I don't like this feeling of hitting a wall. All my ideas born from his films will hit a wall when extended to the point. This sense of boundary is what I dislike the least. So I won't. "

Rarely, Xu Xin directly sealed the deal.

"He's good, but not that good. Of course, maybe this is just my first time watching it, and maybe I will change my mind in the future."

As soon as he finished speaking, Christopher on the side also nodded:

"I agree with Xu. It is indeed a great movie, even one of the most interesting movies I have seen this year. But as Xu said, the director used gorgeous techniques to tell a very interesting story. A great story, but it’s so packed that there’s not much left for us to enjoy.”

"That's right."

Iranian director Farahani nodded:

"We can only follow his ideas, which is too authoritarian. I don't like it very much either."

"I think this is a great approach."

Greta shrugged in 1983:

"If it is the final review, I will list it as one of the candidates for the Golden Bear... Sorry, I disagree with you. But I like this kind of art that is carefully crafted under the narrative structure. I don't even agree with your point of view. What we see with our eyes is only the movie in our eyes, not the director's movie. Art can be inclusive, but the most important thing is that artists must stick to their own ideas. I like this movie very much."

"I have the same opinion as Greta."

Trine Tihon, who started as a child singer and became a famous Danish actress, also joined the discussion.

Then, one by one, everyone began to express their opinions on whether this film was good enough to enter the final competition and whether they would vote...

To be honest, it is obviously unnecessary to start talking about these things after just showing a movie.

After all, this is just the beginning...

But including the staff, it seems that no one is surprised.

Obviously, this scene is not uncommon.

It is indeed not rare... In their eyes, this is just a two-sided split.

One side thought it was good, the other side thought it was good, but not good enough...

They have also seen several judges quarreling for a whole morning over a movie, and finally swearing at each other.

This kind of operation... is just a drizzle.

Everyone talked about "The Grand Budapest Hotel" for nearly half an hour.

Finally, the discussion stopped under James' "mediation".

The reason is simple.

On the first morning, everyone came late and the film didn't start until 9:30.

And after the film was shown, they talked for more than half an hour.

It's time to eat.

The old guy James Shams, as if the source of the discussion and dispute just now was not him, smiled and wiped his glasses with a glasses cloth:

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's go to lunch. There are still a few movies to watch in the afternoon."

So far.

The discussion about "The Grand Budapest Hotel" ended.

It was very polarized.

Both sides insisted on their own opinions and exchanged sharp words.

But after the end, Greta stood up and said to Xu Xin:

"Xu, are you free at noon? I want to discuss a script I wrote with you. You just gave me some inspiration..."

On stage, they were "rivals".

But off stage, they became friends.

It seems ridiculous at first glance.

After all, she was the one who took the lead and thought the movie was particularly good.

But Xu Xin didn't think it was a big deal.

As the saying goes, an expert knows whether it is good or not once he makes a move.

After half an hour of discussion, he felt that not only he, but everyone present could feel that the "other party" was not a fool.

Under this kind of virtuous cycle of academic exchanges, it is not difficult to become friends.

So he nodded readily:

"Okay."

"Ha~ I'll treat you. Everyone, we'll leave first."

The very straightforward American girl waved to the others.

Leaving first.

Xu Xin politely greeted and followed.

This is how exchanges between peers work.

If you have real skills, can chat and like each other, then chat more.

But this sister is really good at talking. The two of them sat at the table and chatted about everything under the sun.

She was the one talking most of the time.

They talked for almost an hour, and at about 1 o'clock, everyone returned to the theater.

We only watched one movie in the morning, so we have to hurry up to watch these 20 movies.