Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 305 I haven't gotten out of this mess.
Tian Zhuangzhuang received a call from Lao Situ, inviting him to dinner that evening.

This made Lao Tian a little uneasy. He couldn't discern any emotion in Lao Situ's words and was unsure what it was about.

He went over his recent behavior and was pretty sure he hadn't done anything out of line, so there was only one explanation: the movie!
Well, Cao Yang is really something, he went to Old Situ to complain, didn't he?

I'm feeling a bit down; I'm sure I'll get yelled at tonight.

I'll just take the scolding.

He simply refused to believe that Old Master Situ could force him.
Old Tian clearly remembers that when he first met Old Situ in class in 78, after he had just been admitted to the Beijing Film Academy, Old Situ said:
...You are a generation shouldering a special mission. If you become directors in the future, you must not forget your original aspirations. You must learn to use the hardships and apparent fates of ordinary people to illustrate the deep-seated problems and future of the nation, and to show your deep sympathy for the underprivileged and ordinary people...

I've always done it this way, so how could I be wrong?

Cao Yang's script, "Saint's Lament," is truly excellent!

On a broader level, it describes the chronic problems and pain points of society, pointing out the issues that plague us and urgently need to be addressed.

On a smaller scale, it explores human nature through the suffering and fate of ordinary people, showing compassion for the underprivileged and embracing a spirit of empathy and compassion.

Old Tian couldn't help but sigh again, "This script is really well written. It uses extreme character relationships to explore universal emotional themes, and under the shell of blood and violence, it wraps up the ultimate question of human redemption."

Why set such a good script in Hong Kong?

Wouldn't it be perfect to do it domestically?

If Old Situ were to scold him, Old Tian was prepared to refute him with the words Old Situ had said in class.

Old Tian couldn't help but think smugly, "This is using your own spear to attack your own shield. Let's see what the old man has to say about me then."

When Lao Tian arrived at Lao Situ's house that evening, he was surprised to find that Lao Situ was cooking a meal himself.

"Please sit down first. We'll eat after I finish making this scrambled eggs with tomatoes."

Old Situ, wearing an apron around his waist, pointed to the sofa and said...

Then he went to the kitchen to get busy.

Old Tian opened his mouth, then sat down on the sofa, somewhat annoyed.

He had considered countless scenarios, but he never imagined that Old Situ would personally cook, and even make his favorite dish, scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

He remembered very clearly that the old man didn't like to eat tomatoes, and he didn't like the sour taste of tomatoes because he was allergic to tomatoes. Whenever he ate tomatoes, red rashes would appear between his lips and chin.

This old man, don't think you can move me or make me submit like this.

After Old Situ finished cooking, Old Tian brought the dishes up and asked, "Where's Cao Yang? Didn't he come?"

"It's just the two of us today."

Old Situ washed his hands and asked as he dried them, "What would you like to drink? I have Luzhou, Wuliangye and Red Star here."

Old Tian was stunned again. Had the sun risen in the west? The old man actually offered him a drink.

"Red Star, it tastes better with Red Star."

Old Tian has a special affection for Red Star. During the ten-year ban on directing, especially in the first few years, he drank a lot of Red Star liquor. It was spicy, flavorful, and smooth.

To Lao Tian's surprise, Lao Situ didn't talk about anything until almost the end of the meal.

To his surprise, the old man ate quite a bit of scrambled eggs with tomatoes during his meal.

Watching Old Situ eat bite after bite, he couldn't help but remind him, "You're allergic to tomatoes, so you should eat less."

Old Situ picked up another piece of tomato with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and said while chewing, "When I was young, I was allergic to tomatoes, so I never dared to eat them or try them. That's how I've lived for decades."

As I grew older, I couldn't resist trying it once, and it was so delicious that I fell in love with it. At first, I had an allergic reaction; my mouth and chin felt numb and itchy. However, after eating it a few times, the reaction miraculously disappeared, which is quite strange.

Old Tian isn't stupid; he must have understood what Old Situ meant.

He took a closer look at the old man's chin and found that he really didn't have any small red rashes, which puzzled him.

Old Tian picked up his small wine cup, downed it in one gulp, smacked his lips, and bluntly said, "Old man, just say what you want to say directly. Beating around the bush isn't your style."

Old Situ glared at Old Tian, ​​but didn't respond. Instead, he picked up his small wine cup and took a sip before saying, "I remember your graduation project was called 'Small Courtyard,' right?"

"It's been so long, who still remembers?"

Old Tian picked up a piece of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, chewed it, swallowed it, and then spoke.

Seeing that Old Situ was about to hit him with his chopsticks, Old Tian quickly said, "Yes, yes, it's called 'Small Courtyard'."

Old Situ angrily threw his chopsticks on the table and cursed loudly:
"Forget it, I'm not going to pretend anymore. I can't fake nostalgia and tenderness, especially not with you, you stubborn mule. Just seeing you makes me furious. You little brat, go get me a glass of water. This lousy tomato is making my mouth numb and itchy."

Old Tian quickly got up, wanting to laugh but hesitant. He poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Old Situ, asking with concern:

"How are you? You're so old, why are you trying to be strong? If you can't eat, then don't eat. Why are you being so stubborn? Shouldn't you go to the hospital to get checked out?"

"What a fart!"

Old Situ took a sip of water and said irritably, "Who is the photographer for 'The Courtyard'? Don't tell me you don't remember, or I'll punch you."

Old Tian curled his lip and said, "With your fiery temper, no wonder Xie Fei and Zheng Dongtian said you're a rude documentary filmmaker."

It's really strange. You're a documentary filmmaker, yet you've taught so many great directors of art films. Where can we go to reason with that? No wonder Xie Fei is so frustrated.

"Zhang Yimou, Hou Yonghe, and Lü Le."

Old Master Situ sighed and said earnestly:
"Zhang Yimou is from the photography department. He was your photographer and also Chen Kaige's photographer. Look at him now, he's winning awards left and right. In terms of fame and influence, he has long surpassed you and Chen Kaige."

And Chen Kai, you were classmates. He wasn't as talented as you back then. Among you, I had the most faith in you. And now? He has the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and his fame and influence have surpassed yours.

Not only me, but Xie Fei, Zheng Dongtian, and those other old guys all thought you were the most talented one back then, and Marco Müller was also very optimistic about you... Sigh!

Old Tian didn't say anything, picked up the wine bottle and filled Old Situ's glass, then filled his own glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Cough, cough..."

Perhaps he drank too much, or perhaps for some other reason, but Lao Tian choked and coughed, his face turning red.

Old Situ ignored Old Tian's cough, slammed his hand on the table, and said with exasperation:

"I've read the script Cao Yang gave you. If you make a good film out of this kind of script, it's easy to win an award. This is your last chance. I'll just mention a few points, and then you can decide where to set the story."

The Olympics are in 08, and next year will be 07. At this crucial juncture, do you think this kind of movie can pass censorship? I think it's very difficult.

You've been banned from directing for ten years already, do you want to be banned again?

Besides, don't you even use your brain? The whole world is coming to Beijing for the Olympics, and you're telling the world that there are such cruel organized crime groups in China? Isn't that smearing the country?
Have you ever thought about this? Even if you are the director, the screenwriter is Cao Yang. To put it bluntly, your reputation abroad is not on the same level as Cao Yang's. Foreigners will only think that this is Cao Yang trying to convey something to the outside world.

Aren't you trying to harm Cao Yang? What will the higher-ups think of Cao Yang? They'll think he's trying to sabotage things at this crucial time of the Olympics.

Cao Yang gave you a script that could win a major award, but you let Cao Yang bear this kind of reputation. Don't you feel guilty?

At first, Lao Tian didn't take it seriously. So what if he was banned from directing again? It might even enhance his reputation. But as he listened, something seemed off, and he couldn't help but frown.

"It can't be that bad. I'm the director. If anyone's to be blamed, it's me. How can Cao Yang be involved?"

Old Tian asked somewhat uncertainly.

"What do you say?"

Old Situ glared and said irritably:

“If the screenwriter were an ordinary person, you wouldn’t be able to blame the screenwriter. But is Cao Yang an ordinary person? People will wonder what Cao Yang is trying to convey through you. Otherwise, why would Cao Yang set the background in Hong Kong instead of the mainland?”

"I……"

Old Tian opened his mouth, but what came out was, "I was just thinking about the possibility of setting the background in mainland China, I didn't say that the background had to be set in mainland China."

He wasn't afraid of being banned, but if Cao Yang was implicated because of this, that was not what he wanted. He definitely didn't want Cao Yang to be involved.

"Can I present the story from the script in its entirety?"

Old Tian picked up his wine glass and stared blankly at the clear liquid inside.

If the setting is in China, he has extensive experience and knows how to film and present the story, which is one of the reasons why he wanted to set the story in mainland China.

How should I take the photos?

This was the first question Lao Tian asked Cao Yang after they met again.

"What? How do you shoot it?"

Cao Yang was somewhat puzzled; Lao Tian's question was too abrupt.

"I think you're right, the story is best set in Hong Kong."

Old Tian was a little hesitant when he said this, but after he said it, he suddenly felt much better, as if he had unloaded a psychological burden.

"However, I'm afraid I won't be able to capture the essence of Hong Kong, which would be a waste of such a good script."

Cao Yang originally wanted to say, "Just film according to the script," but then he thought that such a general statement might only confuse Lao Tian more, so he went into more detail.

"You can use a direct and forceful approach, such as zoom lenses, close-ups, and overhead shots, to try to convey a sense of oppression and coldness."

After thinking for a moment, Cao Yang added:

"You don't need to specifically pursue the so-called 'jianghu' feeling in Hong Kong. There is no so-called jianghu in the script. There is only one debt collector from beginning to end. The focus is on the characters, not the jianghu."

We only set the film in Hong Kong to make it easier to pass censorship; it wasn't necessary to capture the essence of Hong Kong. As long as the male and female leads are believable, the movie is done.

Cao Yang tailored a script specifically for Tian Zhuangzhuang!
This news caused quite a stir in the industry.

Everyone envies Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Everyone knows that Cao Yang can win awards, promote people, and achieve high box office returns, but beneath these accolades lies his ability to write scripts.

Anyone who knows Cao Yang even slightly knows that he writes all the screenplays for his movies himself. So, an overlooked fact is that Cao Yang's screenplays are absolutely top-notch in the industry.

This is based on facts.

He wrote "Juno" for Fox Searchlight, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay for the third consecutive time for this film.

He wrote "Crazy Stone" for Ning Hao, a relatively unknown director, which turned Ning Hao into one of the few directors in China to have a film grossing over 100 million yuan.

It was even earlier than when Chen Kaige entered the "100 Million Yuan Club".

Now he has written a script for Lao Tian, ​​which is said to be an art film, so it is certain that Lao Tian is about to make a comeback.

Suddenly, everyone began to pay attention to "Saint Seiya".

The actors, in particular, have already started to take action, inquiring about what kind of actors the film needs and whether they have the possibility or ability to join the crew.

In this era, film resources are already scarce, good resources are even rarer, and top-tier resources are even scarcer.

Any resource associated with Cao Yang is a top-tier resource.

"You know, Cao Yang wrote a script for Tian Zhuangzhuang, and it's all over the industry now."

Sister Hong rushed in from outside and said to Old Chen.

Since "The Promise" was criticized in China and failed at the North American box office, Chen was disheartened and stayed at home all day, not going anywhere, not socializing, and not contacting friends, claiming that he was in seclusion.

Upon hearing what Sister Hong said, Old Chen, who was lying on the recliner with his eyes closed, suddenly sat up abruptly. He sat there blankly for about twenty seconds before slumping back down.

"Tian Zhuangzhuang has been banned from directing for so many years, he has long lost his passion. Look at what he has made in the years since the ban was lifted. There is no inspiration left. Even if Cao Yang writes a good script for him, it is unknown whether he can make it well."

Old Chen pretended to doze off again and lazily said to Sister Hong.

"You two are classmates and even brothers, why don't you think highly of him?" Sister Hong asked with some curiosity.

"What's the use of me being optimistic about him? He's the one who's become lazy and decadent. How can you blame anyone else for that?"

Old Chen's tone remained as nonchalant as ever.

"What if he succeeds?"

Sister-in-law Hong asked.

At the same time, a thought suddenly popped into Sister Hong's mind: could Cao Yang also write a script for Old Chen? If she went to Cao Yang herself, he should be able to agree, right?

Subsequently, Sister Hong dismissed the idea that had just surfaced. Old Chen was arrogant; the more people said his scripts were bad and his movies were nonsensical, the more he wanted to prove himself in that regard.

It's easy to imagine that Old Chen would almost certainly not use Cao Yang's script.

Even if the movie is a success, Lao Chen definitely won't accept that the success of the movie is due to the good script.

What if it succeeds?

Old Chen muttered something to himself.

What is success? In what areas is success?
For a director like Tian Zhuangzhuang, who comes from an art-house film background, box office success is certainly not considered a success.

Just like Zhang Yimou now has two films that have grossed over 1.5 million yuan, but when people in the industry mention him, the first thing that comes to mind is the numerous awards he has received.

Therefore, if Tianzhuangzhuang wants to succeed, it needs to win a major award, preferably one of the top three awards in Europe.

"Is that possible? It's impossible."

Old Chen muttered something to himself again and then pretended to sleep once more.

(End of this chapter)