I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 343 341. Argument

From the Olympics to now, although we can't talk about getting along day and night, Xu Xin thinks he is relatively familiar with Director Zhang's various habitual little actions.

For example, when he frowns, he is thinking.

For example, if he puts his hands on the back of his head in a daze, he is making a choice.

Another example is when he wipes his face.

That means helplessness.

This is what he does when he encounters something "impossible to do".

In connection with what he just said...

Xu Xin thought for a while and said:

""Three Guns"..."

Zhang Yimou waved his hand:

"let it go."

"..."

Hearing this, Xu Xin was stunned for two or three seconds before he reacted.

Is Director Zhang... giving up on treatment?

? ? ?

But he didn't want to mention it, and Xu Xin couldn't say anything.

We simply changed the topic of children and talked there.

Things like full-moon wine, how to take care of children in the past, and how to take care of children now are different.

After chatting for about twenty minutes, Zhang Mo came back with Gu Xiaobai, A Mei, and Yin Lichuan.

Seeing Xu Xin, Zhang Mo said hello.

"Coming."

"Hey, Sister Mo, some teachers."

After everyone was polite, Yin Lichuan took out two scripts from his bag.

Xu Xin took it and glanced at the title of "Hawthorn Tree Love" and then turned to the first page.

"1. Country road, day, outside.

A bus drove along a country road toward the countryside, and the sound of neat students reciting quotations came from the bus. "

"2, station, day, outside

The bus stopped at the county station. The buildings here were all in the style of the 1970s. The students got out of the car one after another.

At the door of Dadai, Captain Zhang of the village production team, who was leading the team, held up a piece of red paper with the words "Welcome to the Education Practice Group of No. 8 Middle School of the City" written on the red paper..."

Xu Xin was watching little by little, and Zhang Yimou was also watching little by little.

Others, including Zhang Mo, remained silent, but also held the script in their hands.

On the one hand, it is to check again to see if there is anything wrong. On the other hand, these people have more or less cooperated with Director Zhang and know his habits.

Director Zhang is the kind of person who reads and reads at the same time, and then asks questions when he feels something is wrong.

He asks and you answer.

If the idea cannot convince him, and he cannot convince you, then everyone starts discussing how to change it.

Although this scene... Director Zhang said that it was this young director Xu who was filming it, and that he would play the role of producer or director in the film.

But still no one dared to take it lightly and thought that Director Zhang just looked and didn't speak.

Even judging from Xu Xin's respect for Director Zhang, the leading role in this drama... is probably Director Zhang.

Everyone except Zhang Mo thought so.

But……

As more than one and nearly two hours passed by... Zhang Yimou remained silent.

Not a word was said from beginning to end.

Although he occasionally seemed to want to say something, he never spoke.

On the contrary, Yin Lichuan and the others didn't know what to do.

You old man wants to say... but you should speak up.

Always panting like this makes others feel very mysterious.

But Zhang Yimou just didn't speak.

Until Xu Xin put down the script and narrowed his eyes.

He lit a cigarette.

In this smoke-filled atmosphere, the story of the entire script began to fit together in my mind.

First, there is the skeleton of the entire story line, and then there are various fragmented plots. After linking them all in the mind, the main storyline of the entire story has been clearly grasped.

Several screenwriters abandoned many things and characters in the original work according to their own requirements.

Only the character lines of Captain Zhang’s family, the third child, Jingqiu’s family, and Jingqiu’s classmates are retained.

The rest of the things were thrown away cleanly.

For example, after all the expressions of lust were abandoned by Wan Changsheng and Zhang Yi in the original work, the love between Jingqiu and Laosan has indeed achieved a pure effect.

But the conflict of the entire story has been weakened a lot.

This seems to be a shortcoming of scar literature as well.

It seems that without that turbulent era, writing a story using this literary phenomenon as a carrier seems like an ordinary trivial matter.

The whole script looks like the love process of an ignorant girl.

It's just that other people's love is at most a breakup, but the love between Jingqiu and Laosan has become a world apart.

The death of Lao San, in the original work, seems to be a tribute to that era.

Xu Xin guessed...even if this story is true and has a prototype. But after writing it, Amy wanted to give it a layer of reflective attributes, reflecting the sadness of that era.

Even if this story is true.

And when he was reading, it was like he was in that era without knowing it.

But in the current script, after he took the initiative to get rid of those things, it seems that he looked back after that era and how the entire era was... confused from the perspective of today's people.

Let’s use this word first.

Therefore, its storyline began to be infinitely weakened.

Give a very vivid example.

It's like a peanut covered in scarred literature.

At first glance, it looked very plump, but after peeling off the shell, I discovered that although the inside was far from hollow, the peanut kernels were very small.

After thinking for a while, he opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Yimou immediately:

"How are you feeling?"

"How do you feel?"

Zhang Yimou asked rhetorically.

Then, Xu Xin’s answer made others look like they agreed:

"The shell is thick and the fruit is small. After stripping away the sense of age, there is nothing left."

Hit the nail on the head.

After hearing this, Zhang Yimou also nodded:

"Then what do you think? Do you want to add it back?"

"don't want."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Several screenwriters subconsciously widened their eyes.

Don’t want it yet?

...Say something back?

But Zhang Yimou didn't seem surprised. Instead, he continued to ask:

"What do you think?"

"I'm going to add an element."

Xu Xin thought for a while and said:

"A... element that can bring others pleasure that seems to go beyond morality and etiquette, but is also reasonable."

Then he looked directly at several screenwriters who frowned at the same time after hearing his words.

"That's it, teachers. I'm very satisfied with the main line of the script, but I believe everyone can see it. It seems that without the kind of struggle in the background of the times, we can all feel that Jingqiu and Lao San are This kind of pure love doesn't seem that touching. So, I want to add an element here. That is the bottom line of that era, and the relationship between men and women that repeatedly jumped above the bottom line."

"..."

Yin Lichuan frowned slightly.

After thinking for a while, he said:

"Director Xu, can you be more specific?"

"The specifics are very simple. In fact, to put it bluntly, it is rebellion against pure morality."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The three screenwriters frowned again.

But Zhang Yimou's eyes lit up.

"The current script, the love between Lao San and Jing Qiu is too peaceful...at least for me, it doesn't resonate with me."

Xu Xin lit another cigarette for himself, sat on the sofa, thinking, and said:

"It's... the audience of the film, do you understand what I say?"

After he finished speaking, he realized that what he said was a bit confusing.

So he continued to explain:

"Let me speak for myself. I have not experienced that era. But I know that in that era, there were only four words to be cautious in words and deeds. These four words can sum up a lot of things. However, just like those who have Green grass will always grow in the cracks between the stone slabs. What I want is this... In the environment of this big stone slab, that kind of desire that transcends morality. And this desire is born from the environment that includes All those who have never experienced that era, including myself, feel the joy of being under the stereotype of that era.”

After he finished speaking, Zhang Yimou summarized his meaning for him:

"Xiao Xu means that what these two people do must have a secret pleasure that transcends the limitations of the times."

Having said this, he paused again before continuing:

"But don't mix it with sex or lust."

"right!"

Xu Xin nodded vigorously, sighing deeply at the old man's profound skills, and said:

"To me, this story is more like the...puppy love phenomenon in junior high school. The school doesn't allow it, and the teacher strictly prohibits it. Anyone who is found out, that's asking their parents...I don't know if my metaphor is appropriate. .But this is the starting point for my interpretation of the script~

Teachers won’t let it, parents won’t let it, and even society prohibits students from falling in love early. But this didn’t stop me from secretly grabbing a girl’s hand after school, or kissing a female classmate in the alley behind the school! "

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

This time, the speechless people included Zhang Yimou.

You really learned a lot.

But Xu Xin's thoughts at this moment have been completely clarified with the words.

On the contrary, my thoughts came to life completely:

"That's the feeling. The definition of Jingqiu is, first of all, Sanliwan. In her, I want to see something between the charm of a mature woman and that kind of... pure and mixed qualities. When others see her, the first thing they see is It just feels beautiful…”

Zhang Yimou frowned again.

But Xu Xin continued to tell;

"She must have the stereotypes of that era. For example, khaki pants, rubber shoes, or...she has big breasts, so she has low self-esteem and always walks with her breasts in her mouth. But no matter what , she is an image that can be secretly called Sanliwan, and every man who meets her will be fascinated by her."

Zhang Yimou's brows furrowed more and more tightly.

"But, I want a clean scene for this scene. Her charm is an attribute, an attractive quality. It is something she is born with and cannot be changed. But the more charming she is, the purer and more lustful she is. , I want her to be as clean as possible. This is first of all a moral pleasure."

"Very charming...very lustful...but also innocent?"

Gu Xiaobai seemed to want to say something.

But Xu Xin waved his hand:

"No, what I'm talking about is my understanding of Jingqiu's character. But the storyline also starts from this point. Puppy love...well, that's the idea. Teachers, don't worry about the image of the actor, just follow me. Think about it. That era was just a school. And Jingqiu, whether it was her family background or... that school, was a metaphor for that era.

In this metaphor, what she and Laosan did had to be a step-by-step process of transcendence. It is necessary to accumulate the comfort of moral rebellion in everyone's heart bit by bit, just like building a house... Can you understand this idea of ​​mine? "

A Mei thought for a while and asked tentatively:

"In other words, it's like puppy love. The two of them must maintain a kind of restraint during the day or in certain situations. But within the restraint, it's like passing notes in class and going home together after school. That journey, and the diary filled with longing for each other after returning home?"

"Snapped!"

The moment he heard this, Xu Xin slapped the table:

"That's right. That's how it feels. And when no one is around, the two of them will have that sweetness that no one else can see."

“…but clean.”

"Yes! A smile, a look at each other, holding hands, or just walking together for a while..."

Xu Xin nodded vigorously:

"Just follow this idea. This story... is too pale. I need to create such an emotional atmosphere to bring the audience into it."

His explanation was clear enough.

The three screenwriters looked at each other...

The director has said so, so what else can we do?

Continue to change?

But don’t say it yet…

This angle of entry is really strange and appropriate.

At that time, wasn't it like a school that banned puppy love?

And Jingqiu's goal of staying in school and her family's expectations, aren't they just like parents hoping that their children will be admitted to a key middle school?

And then... if the parents knew that their daughter, who had placed hope on changing the fate of the whole family, was run away by a "bad student" who didn't know where she came from, it would be strange not to explode.

Thinking about it this way...

Eh?

It seems to be true...

Although I don’t know what a script based on this idea will look like in the end...

But who is the director?

If the director provides ideas, then just follow their requirements.

but……

As Yin Lichuan, who has collaborated with Zhang Yimou for the longest time, after thinking about it, he still asked Zhang Yimou:

"Director Zhang, what do you think?"

"..."

Zhang Yimou broke away from the mood of frowning and thinking.

After hearing this, he looked at Xu Xin and then at Yin Lichuan...

"Let's follow this idea first."

"OK."

Seeing that he had already said this, Yin Lichuan stopped talking.

But he didn’t leave either.

Instead, the three of them began to discuss some details in the original work. With Xu Xin's on-site inspection, they chatted for a whole afternoon. After coming up with a general idea, they had dinner at Zhang Yimou's house before taking a bunch of Leave with a notepad of ideas.

Xu Xin originally planned to come, but after Zhang Yimou glanced at the few people eating, he wanted to see the nanny washing the dishes, and waved to Zhang Mo and him:

"Let's go to the study and talk."

…

The study room of Zhang Yimou's home is also very large.

It occupies the entire second floor.

Obviously, both he and Zhang Mo stayed on the third floor, including the guest rooms.

In this large study room, Xu Xin saw a lot of "good things".

For example, various film films, awards, even photos with some people, as well as various information documents, books, etc.

There are even some... sundries that I don't know what they are used for.

Quite life-like.

The few times Xu Xin came here, he basically stayed in the lobby on the first floor.

This is really the first time I have entered this study.

I feel quite curious.

Look here and there.

Zhang Yimou didn't stop him. Even if he asked something, he would answer it in detail.

For example, who sent this painting, what kind of film was that thick pile of information used for, etc.

Xu Xin didn't sit down again until the teapot on the tea table in the study boiled.

"What kind of image do you want for Jingqiu in this movie casting?"

Xu Xin understood as soon as he heard this.

So he asked:

"What ideas do you have?"

Zhang Yimou nodded, clamped the teacup prepared for Xu Xin with a clamp, poured out the tea for warming the cup, and said:

"Are you going to find someone based on the original image?"

"right."

Xu Xin nodded:

"Looking for someone with the image of Sanliwan...but I guess it's not easy. I'm worried that actors who are too young won't have the acting skills and natural charm. I'm also worried that when people with this acting skills get older, even if they rely on Even makeup can’t make up for it.”

After he finished speaking, he asked again:

"What do you mean?"

In fact, he had already stated his requirements for the role in the afternoon.

He didn't believe that Director Zhang didn't hear clearly.

And the reason why I ask this now... I intuitively tell myself that Director Zhang should also have an image of Jingqiu in his heart, and it conflicts with him.

as expected.

"I think it would be better to find an actor who is more natural and simple."

"For example?"

He was curious about who Director Zhang's "love" was.

But the other party shook his head directly:

"not yet."

"..."

Xu Xin is a little ridiculous.

You, the old man, are not sure about it yourself?

but……

"I'm even considering whether to look for it among students. I don't want plastic surgery or any multi-standard acting skills. What I want is that unpolished simplicity."

"...Amateur????"

Xu Xin was stunned.

Especially when the old man nodded...

He glanced at Zhang Mo subconsciously.

Well.

good.

This sister was also confused.

It seems to be on his side.

but……

"As an amateur, what about acting?"

"The acting skills can be adjusted slowly. But at least it must be in line with the aesthetics and simplicity of that era."

"this……"

Xu Xin realized something more clearly.

The old man... is obviously resonating with his own experience.

In his experience, at that time, students in the 1770s and 1800s had plain faces.

Maybe he was dressed in a rustic way.

Thinking of this, he said:

"The kind with two braids, floral clothes, and a military green schoolbag slung across the body...that kind of thing?"

"right."

Zhang Yimou nodded:

"The kind that when you look at her, you know that she is from this era."

"What about the beauty? What about the camera feel?"

"Simplicity is beauty."

"..."

Hearing this, Xu Xin shook his head:

"I think your point of view is wrong."

"..."

Zhang Mo was speechless.

However, Xu Xin immediately changed his mind:

"It's not that your point of view is wrong. It should be said that your entry point has naturally become the symbol of that era. So, what you want is...for example, people of your age go into the cinema and watch At the first glance of this girl, you can find the resonance of the era you experienced at that time. Or to put it more simply, through her face, appearance, clothing, grooming, and the setting in the camera... it brings people back. Into that memory?”

"Yes. Because it is a mark of time. What it needs is not expression, nor does it mean that we give it a summary... the specific time in the original work is July 3rd and July 4th. This time may be indicated at the beginning. , but it will gradually become blurred later. Because it is this person who directly carries the mark itself..."

Before Zhang Yimou finished speaking, Xu Xin said directly:

"But that's your Love at the Hawthorn Tree."

"..."

He was startled.

Just listen to Xu Xin continue to say:

"Or to put it more intuitively, it is "The Love of the Hawthorn Tree" that belongs to the memory of your generation. In dealing with this aspect, you chose to return to the original memory. Through the road you have traveled, the memories in your memory Keep in mind the symbols and messages of the times, and even the appearance of everyone in their prime, to construct the lens and style of "Hawthorn Tree Love" in your own work. This is a place that resonates with you~"

He hit the nail on the head... or ruthlessly, he said what was in his heart.

Because the discussion at this moment is not a dispute between the student and the instructor.

It's a dispute between two directors over their creative concepts.

Although it is not clear whether it will produce the kind of "I convince you" result.

But at least Xu Xin would not and could not compromise.

Because he is the director, the authority and the final interpreter of this play.

All he needs to do is be responsible for his own works and his own ideas.

Just like what Director Zhang said to him now, it was also his own thoughts.

There is no distinction between those who are late and those who are advanced, and there is no distinction between high and low.

It's just a debate over the concept of artistic creation.

"Frankly speaking, in terms of literature."

"Pap..."

Choosing to light a cigarette to strengthen his courage, Xu Xin said:

"The book "The Love of the Hawthorn Tree", in terms of language skills and literary creation level... I don't know how high it is in your mind. But what you want me to say... Amy's writing skills are better than some contemporary For mature writers...it's actually a bit worse.

In fact, the descriptions of time transitions in this book often give me a sense of déjà vu with a hammer in the east and a stick in the west. So, you asked me to see it. Otherwise... Regardless of whether the subject matter interests me or not, in terms of its text structure... it is actually very ordinary. "

After hearing this, Zhang Yimou did not deny it.

Because what Xu Xin said is true.

Amy's writing skills are indeed average.

Compared with her writing skills, the emotion brewing between the lines is what makes this book outstanding.

"On this point, first of all, it will raise my reading threshold. However... although you are the beginning of my relationship with this script, since you have chosen me as the director to direct this film, I must stand on my own From a different perspective, I try to make the things contained in this story tend to be... my creative concept. And from my creative concept, I am not just filming this story for your generation."

There is no hasty and shameless resistance.

There is no unrelenting denial either.

When it came to the debate on artistic concepts, Xu Xin chose to tell the truth bluntly:

"The first is acting. Unless you let me see an acting genius. Without training or tempering, she has a simple face and can use acting skills to interpret the Jingqiu in my heart... Otherwise, I will still do it according to my choice...I want to find...the "Three Mile Bay" in my heart."

And is Zhang Yisheng angry about Xu Xin's resistance?

No.

On the contrary, he was quite lucky that his daughter was sitting next to him.

Because my daughter can learn the most valuable qualities of a director from this young man she likes.

That is confidence and persistence in one's own creative ideas.

It is true that if the film fails, this kind of confidence and persistence may be nonsense.

But... a director who has his own persistence and self-confidence may fail a hundred times.

But as long as he is recognized by the audience once, he will be remembered by the audience who recognized him.

But if the director doesn't even have this kind of persistence and self-confidence, he will keep compromising for fame, money, status, etc.

To use the most appropriate words to describe it, it is called: All living beings are not worthy of heroes.

He is not afraid of his daughter making mistakes.

I'm just afraid that she might be wrong, that she doesn't understand anything and doesn't realize it.

Completely lost in this big dye vat.

At that time, with the reputation of a "tiger father and dog son", it ended hastily, and was labeled as "unfit for use" and was swept into the garbage heap.

Therefore, as a father, he felt that Xu Xin taught his daughter a very good lesson at this moment.

But class is class, and as a director, he also has to choose to argue with the "opposite" director:

"You have to consider the overall rhythm of a movie. An actor's face is like a part of the entire movie. If you take an actor who is classified as a modern beauty in terms of image and temperament, or the roles she has been good at in the past, suddenly she will They threw her into the 1970s. The audience will definitely come with their inherent knowledge and look at her with a prejudiced eye. Don’t deny this, right?"

"Well... that's true."

Xu Xin nodded:

"But you have also forgotten... the audience of this movie. In other words, the most important audience in the current film industry is not actually the people who have the same memories as you of that era. Even if some of them were in the 1970s Born, but as an active and optional art, the audience buying tickets is nothing more than coming for one, the director, and two, a certain actor or a certain star..."

"But this kind of literary film..."

"I don't think it's an art film."

Still shaking his head, still determined.

Xu Xin smiled and said:

"Have you forgotten? When we were talking about what kind of movies I wanted to make in the future, I told you. I said that no matter what kind of artistic or commercial films, I would only make films that interest me. Although I also understand what it means to be in the world. It means I can't help myself. But in the final analysis... I will only shoot if I am interested.

Of course, I may encounter other things in the future that impact this idea.

But from beginning to end, the movies that make me take them seriously must be the movies that interest me. As for my movie, I want people to recognize it artistically. But at the same time, while being recognized, I also hope to get enough outstanding results at the box office. If you don't have desires, you will be just. I have money and I don't expect movies to make money. Based on this premise, can't I have higher requirements for myself? "

Zhang Yimou began to roll his eyes after hearing this:

"You call this demanding? Doesn't high box office also mean making money?"

Xu Xin chuckled:

"Movies make money. What does it have to do with me having money...?"

"..."

"..."

The father and daughter were instantly speechless after hearing such strong words.

But now, Zhang Yimou also knows that... Xiao Xu wants to take the path that countless people want to take, but it is difficult for anyone to take a clear path.

That is to achieve a perfect balance between artistry and commerce.

Thinking of this, a trace of reason and regret flashed in his eyes.

It stands to reason because not only Xiao Xu, but also he is also working hard to pursue this path.

Regrettably……

It's so difficult.

Shaking his head slightly, he said:

"Then let's go like this, walk on two legs, you look for a suitable actor, and I will help you find the person who meets my requirements. You are the director, and when the time comes...you decide."

Xu Xin immediately became happy:

"hey-hey."

Then he nodded vigorously:

"Um!"

And Zhang Mo, who was watching the whole conversation between the two, after hearing his father's decision...

There was only one very vague idea in my mind.

Do you... dote on him too much...