Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 307 Candidates

Old Tian is very excited that the project "Pietà" is about to be approved.

With the project "Saint Lament" approved, Lao Tian began to feel nervous and uneasy again.

He was somewhat ashamed of himself. How old was he? It wasn't like he hadn't been famous before. Back in the day, he was known as one of the "Three Heroes of Beijing Film Academy" along with Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige.

But I can't help worrying.

They are very anxious about gains and losses.

He knew that Cao Yang intended to use this film to help him win the Golden Lion Award at Venice.

A ten-year ban on directing may have diminished much of Lao Tian's inspiration for filmmaking, but his vision remains.

He knew very well that as long as he could present the story in the script, with Cao Yang and Marco Müller on board, they would definitely have a chance to compete for the top prize at next year's Venice Film Festival.

This is my best chance to turn my life around.

Even with the Golden Lion, Tian Zhuangzhuang can still be considered one of the "Three Heroes of Beijing Film Academy" alongside Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige.

But it was precisely because he knew these things that he felt nervous and uneasy.

That's how people are.

Do you have any suitable candidates for the male and female leads?

Lao Tian asked Cao Yang.

Edko Films, China Film Group, and Lao Tian in Hong Kong discussed that the film would be shot in Hong Kong, and that they would hire the minimum number of staff required by the Hong Kong Film Awards in order to achieve something at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Cao Yang had no objection to the suggestion. It would be good if Lao Tian could get a Golden Horse Award. He didn't need it, but Lao Tian really needed to "decorate" his image.

Most importantly, if "Lust, Caution" is actually made into a film, it will definitely be nominated for the Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards, and Lao Tian can compete for it then.

"You can choose the female lead from actresses who have been in Hong Kong for about 60 years. They are around 45 years old and, with a little dressing up, would be very suitable for the role."

Cao Yang thought for a moment and could only think of a few people, including Kara Hui, Cherie Chung, Rosamund Kwan, and Ye Tong.

“I’m not very familiar with Hong Kong actresses of this age, but you should be very familiar with them. As long as you think the role fits the female lead, you can choose whatever you think is right.”

After discussing it, the group decided to give the role of the female lead, who is also the male lead's apparent mother, to a Hong Kong actress, while the male lead would be chosen from mainland China.

This is also why Cao Yang told Lao Tian to handle it himself; he has little contact with these older Hong Kong actresses and is not very familiar with them.

"What do you mean I should be familiar with her? How am I familiar with her? It's not like I pay attention to Hong Kong actresses in their forties all the time."

Old Tian muttered something, but to be fair, as a fifth-generation director, he was definitely more familiar with actresses of this age group than Cao Yang was.

What are your requirements for this role?

Old Tian asked another question.

"The acting skills must be excellent; that's the most crucial point."

Cao Yang emphasized that this character needs to have a very strong performance, as he is a key figure in the whole play and the focal point of the drama. He must be able to portray hesitation, allure, warmth, or eeriness.

Otherwise, the movie would lose its appeal and lack the persuasiveness of its plot twists.

If Cao Yang were to direct this movie, he wouldn't be afraid of using pretty faces or actresses lacking acting skills. As long as the actress's acting isn't too outrageous, getting into character would be easy.

Old Tian doesn't have that ability, so he can only choose actresses with good acting skills.

Especially for actresses of this age, who are over forty, if they still haven't developed acting skills, then it's almost certain that they are just old vases with no potential.

"Any other requirements?" Lao Tian asked again.

He is also considering who to send audition invitations to.

This was a movie that would turn his career around, which is why he tirelessly sought advice from Cao Yang.

"She appears to be a virtuous wife and loving mother, yet she can deliberately project a certain worldliness."

Cao Yang thought of the original female lead, Zhao Minxiu. Her acting skills were still commendable, the only shortcoming being that some of her tearful scenes seemed a bit contrived.

Old Tian frowned, thought for a moment, and wrote it down in his notebook.

He kept pondering to himself, "She seems like a virtuous wife and loving mother, so how could she possibly have a worldly air about her?" Then, he added a question mark after writing down the sentence. He decided to carefully consider its meaning when he got back, and then filter through the options to see what kind of actress could fit that description.

"What about the male lead? What are your thoughts?"

Old Tian transformed into a humble student, even carrying a notebook, looking genuinely serious and hardworking.

Cao Yang was speechless.

I said, Lao Tian, ​​you were once one of the big names in the film and television industry, a truly famous and popular director, is it really necessary?
"The male lead should be the right age, preferably under 25, look young, and have a ruthless or roguish vibe."

As Lao Tian took notes, he asked, "Do you have a suitable candidate?"

Cao Yang found it difficult to speak up. He did have his own preferred candidates, but he wasn't sure if those two could deliver the desired effect.

If the director of the film were someone else, he would have taken control long ago. But the director is Lao Tian, ​​and he doesn't want Lao Tian to feel resentful or think that he is interfering with his filming.

Domestic directors, especially famous ones, are particularly concerned about this and hate it when others interfere with their films.

"Alright, put away your little schemes. I really want to make this script a good film. Just say what you want to say. Do you think I'm like you? I helped you so much, and you give me attitude in your first movie."

Old Tian said with a smile.

Cao Yang smiled too.

When he was filming "On the Beach at Night Alone," he was still a student. Although Lao Tian was still banned from directing, he was still a famous director. He was afraid that Lao Tian would take over the control of the film, so he often gave Lao Tian a hard time.

"I have two candidates, but I'm not very familiar with either of them."

Cao Yang emphasized one point first, meaning that if you feel these two are suitable, then use them; if not, then forget it. Don't feel embarrassed just because it was my suggestion.

Old Tian laughed and raised his hand as if to hit Cao Yang.

"One of them is Zhou Yiwei, who graduated from our school. His acting skills are just so-so, but he should be able to portray some roguishness. The other is Wang Baoqiang, who played Sha Gen in 'A World Without Thieves.' I heard he studied martial arts, but I don't know if he can portray ruthlessness."

Cao Yang wasn't sure how good Wang Baoqiang's acting was now, but if he had a few more years of experience, Wang Baoqiang would definitely be able to portray the ruthlessness of a male lead.

After hesitating for a moment, Cao Yang said, "Actually, there is another candidate, Duan Yihong. He is a little older, but his acting skills are enough to support the role of the male lead."

Cao Yang hesitated to mention Duan Yihong because he was a bit old, over thirty.

However, Duan Yihong's acting skills were already quite good, and after Cao Yang added an extra experience to get into character, his acting skills became even better, so he would definitely be able to play the male lead.

The only disadvantage is that he is a bit old.

Old Tian carefully noted down the three actors Cao Yang mentioned, and he decided to call them all over to audition and see who was the most suitable.

As for Cao Yang's comment about Duan Yihong being older, Lao Tian didn't seem to care much.

He had met Duan Yihong before. The man looked rather young; he could easily pass for someone in their twenties.

While Lao Tian was busy with the preparations for "Pieta", "Inception" had already been released for more than a month.

So far, Inception has grossed $3.9 million in North America, and it should easily gross $4 million by the time it leaves theaters.

The domestic version has been delayed, but Mr. Han wants to aim for 5 million.

In Hong Kong, it unexpectedly garnered over 5800 million in box office revenue, a figure that shocked many.

Since 2000, Hong Kong cinema has been in rapid decline, and to date, only a handful of films have grossed over 50 million at the box office.

The 01 film "Shaolin Soccer" cost a little over 6000 million.

The 02 film "Infernal Affairs" grossed 5500 million at the box office.

There's also "Kung Fu Hustle," which grossed 6100 million at the box office.

Now, Cao Yang's "Inception" has also been added.

This is unbelievable to people in Hong Kong.

Of course, when they learned that Inception had grossed over $9 million worldwide, their disbelief turned into unbelievable shock. They realized that Cao Yang's movies were so amazing!
$9 million globally, it's unimaginable.

(End of this chapter)