Millennium director

Zhang Guorong was silent, his eyes swinging back and forth between the script and Wu Yuan's face.

The script of "The Embalmer" is really good.

As an actor who has made dozens of movies, Zhang Guorong clearly knows that if this movie can be made and the quality is high, it will indeed win the top three awards in Europe.

Because Europeans and Americans themselves feel mysterious about Eastern culture, if there is a movie that explores Eastern views on life and death and mourning culture, it will really attract their interest.

But it took half a year to make this movie, and it was half a year when all other work was thrown away, which made Zhang Guorong hesitate.

Among the dozens of movies he has made, only two took more than half a year to prepare and shoot, and that was "Farewell My Concubine" and "Happy Together."

And these two works did live up to expectations and brought him the highest artistic achievements.

So can this "The Embalmer" do the same?

Looking at the unacceptably young mainland director in front of him, Zhang Guorong hesitated for a moment, but still did not agree on the spot.

"Director Wu, thank you very much for your willingness to ask me to make a film, but the six-month schedule is not something I can decide in a few words. I'll go back and think about it first."

This result had long been expected by Wu Yuan.

He never thought that he could persuade Zhang Guorong to suspend all work and follow him to the mainland to practice in seclusion with just a few words. This was unrealistic.

Zhang Guorong is an Asian superstar! Moreover, both shadows and songs live together, and there is a lot of work to be done. How could he agree to it at the drop of a hat, without considering the impact at all.

"It doesn't matter, I will be in Hong Kong Island these days, and this movie won't be started in the near future. I haven't finished my work in the United States yet. You have time to think about it slowly.

"By the way." Wu Yuan thought of something and said with a smile: "I heard that you also want to be a director. Maybe I can help you connect with the China Film Group in the Mainland?"

"No film company on Hong Kong Island is willing to take over, but that doesn't mean the mainland doesn't welcome it."

Wu Yuan knew that Zhang Guorong actually had talent as a director.

He has participated in directing film and television works such as "Days of Being Wild", "Golden Flowers" and "A Chinese Ghost Story", although he did not leave his name.

Moreover, the MVs "Dream of the River" and "Peerless Youth" directed by him were also very well shot.

As early as 2000, he directed a public welfare short film of more than 30 minutes, which was a promotional short film called "Smoke Flying Smoke" to call for quitting smoking.

Zhang Guorong handled everything from the story to the directing of this short film, and it only took five days to shoot!

Although the film is not long, from the plot rhythm, light and shadow art, and shooting techniques, this film can fully reflect Zhang Guorong's directorial talent.

It cannot be said that he has no talent in directing. On the contrary, his directing talent is quite outstanding.

To be fair, there are so many mainland actors who are good at acting and directing, and they can do the job of directing very well. Although they can't make any artistic masterpieces, they are more than enough to direct commercial films.

Then why can't Zhang Guorong do it?

It’s just that it’s not popular in this era for actors to become directors.

According to the original trajectory, in 2002, he finally prepared "Stealing Heart", his first feature film as a director, with all the factors including script and actors in place.

As a result, the film investor's company was suddenly detained and the funds were withdrawn, causing the film shooting plan to be aborted.

He was already suffering from physical depression at this time, and this news undoubtedly made it worse for him. 【6】【9】【s】【h】【u】【x】【.】【c】【o】【m】

It's not that Zhang Guorong doesn't have the money to make movies by himself. He has the money, but as an actor, he can't find a film company to distribute it for him. There is a barrier between actors and film capital, which is not easy to break.

At least in Hong Kong, you can't make movies just because you have money. You have to have connections, connections, and someone who is willing to help you and give you a chance.

In fact, it's the same in the Mainland. If you don't graduate from the three major universities, you won't have access to major film studios, and it's basically impossible to become a director.

There are barriers to becoming a director these days, and even superstars find it difficult to transition into directing.

After experiencing the miscarriage of his first feature film, Zhang Guorong became completely depressed, suffering both physical and psychological consequences.

Later, he wrote in his autobiography: "I think I may be a little depressed. The reason is probably that I am dissatisfied with myself, others, and even more dissatisfied with the world. Those days were really dark."

It can be seen that the shattering of the director's dream caused an irreparable blow to him who suffered from depression.

Since Wu Yuan wanted to change him, of course he had to solve some problems that might lead to psychological depression.

Don’t you just want to be a director?

There are a lot of superstars here on Hong Kong Island, and all of them can sell at the box office. Those film companies can't stand a movie with the title "Director Zhang Guorong" and are unwilling to bear the risk of box office losses.

But the mainland is short of superstars!

Just because Hong Kong Island can't do it, doesn't mean the mainland can't do it!

China Film Academy is currently short of new-generation directors. Director Han is always talking about the hope of having a few more directors who can sell the box office.

China Film is very happy to let Zhang Guorong go north to develop, and will support him whether he is an actor or a director!

These three words "Zhang Guorong" can sell box office in the mainland!

Zhang Guorong’s Ning Caichen is the Bai Yueguang of so many mainland women!

He and Ma Ge filmed "A Better Tomorrow" and "Across the World", which are idols in the hearts of countless men in the mainland!

Regardless of whether he is an actor or a director, as long as his name is on the movie poster, it is worth 10 million at the box office!

If he is willing to direct and act, that would be even better!

It’s just that the two sides have been lacking a communication channel!

Zhang Guorong never thought of contacting China Film in the Mainland. China Film had no idea that Zhang Guorong was preparing to direct a movie.

Wu Yuan can definitely be the go-between. It's just a matter of talking, so why not?

In this way, Leslie Cheung will have no time to spend in Hong Kong Island for the next whole year!

I spent half a year filming "The Embalmer" with Wu Yuan, and half a year I worked on my own "Stealing Hearts"!

After filming these two movies, both the body and the soul were completely healed!

depression?

Zhang Guorong, who is happily busy working on his first directorial film, has no time to be depressed!

I have to say that Zhang Guorong was deeply moved by Wu Yuan's last suggestion.

The dream of directing has been his dream since he retired from the music scene in 1989.

When he was interviewed by the media, he once said: "I think the director is the soul of the movie. I hope that one day I can fulfill my wish and make a movie."

Since 2000, he has been working hard for this dream, trying to make short films for public welfare, which received a good response from the industry. However, the preparation of his first feature film was still not smooth.

Almost no film companies in Hong Kong were willing to take over the film, and they all tried to persuade him to just continue being an actor, and there was no need to be a director.

At this time, Wu Yuan proposed that he could help him connect with the China Film Group in the mainland. It's strange that Zhang Guorong didn't accept this proposal!

In his heart, Zhang Guorong was already inclined to agree to Wu Yuan and sell him the hundred pounds.

It's just that the inner reason finally took over.

Leslie Cheung held the script of "The Embalmer" tightly in his hands, stood up and smiled shyly at Wu Yuan: "I will seriously consider Director Wu's proposal."

"I'll give you an answer as soon as possible."

After saying that, he shook hands with Wu Yuan again, indicating that he needed to leave.

He was afraid that if he didn't leave, he would be persuaded by Wu Yuan's smooth tongue.

Wu Yuan stood up and said goodbye with a smile on his face: "Zhang Sheng, go slowly."

Nod, smile, and close the door again.

Standing at the door of the box, Zhang Guorong took a deep breath, suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart, and walked out.

What a coincidence, his song was playing in the tea restaurant at this moment.

"When the wind rises again, my heart will silently no longer care about running."

"I am willing to go back with tears in my eyes."

"In these precious years, I am looking for the poetry in my heart."

Hearing this song, Zhang Guorong stopped in his tracks.

"When the Wind Rises Again" was his farewell to the music scene in 1989.

At that time, Zhang Guorong thought that this song brought an end to his career.

But it turned out later that this was just a semicolon.

But now, he once again stood at the decision-making point of his life.

Will this decision mark a new chapter in his life?

he does not know.

But he hopes.