Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 423 'Good People' Must Do Bad Things First to Do Good Deeds?

Chapter 423 'Good People' Must Do Bad Things First to Do Good Deeds? (Incense Surpasses 2046)
"Yaya, you are such a good woman."

"Brother Ma, what are you saying?"

Although Ma Xun's words seemed casual, Ya Ya loved to hear them.

It must be emphasized that Ma Xun did not lie.

He genuinely thought Ya Ya was a good woman.

She's always very obedient, and her little tiger teeth are indeed cute, especially before... cough cough.

Since that's the case, Ma Xun should naturally treat Ya Ya better too.

So, let's talk about this movie.

"If we don't let you act in that famous director's movie this time, will you...?"

"Brother Ma, I won't overthink it. I know you're doing this for my own good."

Oh, it seems there's no need to say more about that.

However, Ma Xun still had to say something, at least he had to explain the reasoning behind it.

"Don't you think it's weird?"

"I don't think so... Oh, it's a little strange, isn't it?" Ya Ya's obedient manner almost made Ma Xun unable to continue speaking.

There's no other way but to stick to the story.

"This film, 'Still Life,' is not just about you not being able to play the female lead; I also think there are probably serious problems with the film itself."

"Huh? Could it be... there's some risk involved? But didn't this movie say he's a good guy?"

"As you know, I'm a boss in the industry, and many projects come to me for investment, so I've only briefly looked at Director Jia's script."

"Brother Ma, you've figured something out, haven't you?"

"Yes."

Fortunately, Ma Xun is good at bluffing, and what he said wasn't wrong.

So, what exactly are the risks of this film?

Ya Ya is extremely curious now.

What do you think of the title "Still Life"?

"Isn't this a good person who does good deeds?"

Ya Ya's statement is correct, because the movie title sounds like a film about doing good deeds.

Ma Xun smiled and shook his head. "What I mean is, what do you think this name is similar to?"

"Huh? What else could it be similar to? This..."

Ya Ya really couldn't understand it for a moment.

But it's not his fault, because the things inside are hidden quite deeply.

Moreover, if an ordinary Chinese person, someone who doesn't know much about film theory, were to use this name, they wouldn't think much of it at all.

Ma Xun was different; he then mentioned another 'work'.

"Section Chief Jia's name is very clever. I dare say that 99% of people don't understand the meaning of his name."

Even among those in the film industry, more than 8% couldn't see his true intentions.

Let me first mention a film to you. There was a film master named Bertolt Brecht, and he had a famous work called "The Good Person of Szechwan".

Do these two works have similar titles?

Ya Ya suddenly realized what was going on when she heard this. "Oh, so that's how it is. But... I don't really know much about 'The Good People of Sichuan'. I've only heard my teacher mention it."

This is perfectly normal, because the theoretical education of film in China is basically based on Stanislavski, especially in the area of acting, where the main focus is on the method acting approach.

Most of Brecht's students studied directing.

Ya Ya hasn't been at the Central Academy of Drama for very long, so naturally she hasn't learned much yet.

However, now that Ma Xun has brought it up, any normal person would think that the two movie titles are similar.

Some things are just best avoided when compared.

If you only watch a movie called "Still Life", especially the word "good person" in it.

Ordinary people certainly wouldn't think much of it.

However, if compared to another work, this good guy definitely has a special meaning.

The key point is, this is still a movie!
"Both movies are about good people, and the locations are about the same distance, so..."

“Brother Ma, I understand, there’s definitely a connection here! But this connection…”

Do you know what "The Good People of Sichuan" is about?

"This... seems to involve gods and immortals or something?"

"Correct."

Ya Ya clearly doesn't fully understand the full meaning of "The Good People of Sichuan" yet; she only knows some of the content of the work.

Indeed, the story in "The Good Person of Sichuan" is about a deity who descended to earth and did many things.

However, this deity was actually just a smokescreen.

Ma Xun gave a simple summary: "In my opinion, 'The Good People of Sichuan' can be summarized as: if a person wants to do good deeds, he must first do bad deeds."

In other words, only by doing bad things can one gain the power to do good things.

This summary is way too simplistic and crude!

But when Ya Ya thought about it carefully, her mouth dropped open and she smiled in surprise.

"Brother Ma, you're amazing!"

Indeed, Ma Xun's summary is very simple, but the work "The Good People of Sichuan" is really just like that.

The story is roughly about a person who wants to do good deeds, but in doing so, she does many bad things, and in the end, she is judged. Were the things she did good or bad?

Let the audience figure out the answer themselves.

Brecht's school of thought is like this; "The Good Person of Szechwan" is the most fundamental work in Brecht's system, and one could even say there is none.

As a foreigner, he doesn't really understand our Chinese mythology system. The gods in his works are just so-so, so don't think too much about the gods. Let's just look at the essence.

So, let's go back and look at this film, "Still Life".

"Got it?" Ma Xun asked Ya Ya, quite confidently.

Ya Ya shook her head again, "It seems like Teacher Jia hasn't filmed any stories about immortals, has he?"

Her charming appearance made Ma Xun like her even more.

I might as well give her an answer.

"I ask you, is the Three Gorges Project a good thing?"

"Of course, of course it's good."

"So, in order to do this good project..."

As soon as Ma Xun finished speaking, Ya Ya understood!
Her eyes widened, and she said, "This movie... is it just..."

Ma Xun added for her, "There's only the bad part in the movie."

Is that too absolute a statement?

Most people who have seen "Still Life" can vouch for Ma Xun.

In fact, Ma Xun can proudly say that very few people across the country can truly understand the film "Still Life".

At least, he never heard of any professors in the film industry who could tell that the Three Gorges and Sichuan were connected.

What everyone can see is the suffering during the demolition process, and a glimmer of optimism amidst that suffering.

And why there is so much suffering... well, that's all in the title of this movie.

You have to compare the two movies to finally understand.

No wonder this movie is called "Good People"—there are no "good people" in the movie, and the real "good people" are actually outside the movie.

That is, the Three Gorges Project...

To put it bluntly, Section Chief Jia was just being sarcastic and sarcastic.

As for this film, it's his business how he, Section Chief Jia, wants to manipulate it.

But Ya Ya is one of his own people, so Ma Xun certainly couldn't let his own people take risks.

Now Yaya understands, that...

"Brother Ma, you're the real good guy!"

what?
No, is this considered a friend-zone rejection?
It's obvious that Ya Ya is considering the context.

Ma Xun laughed after hearing this, "That's right, I've also done a lot of bad things, and I'm not sure I'll do anything good."

When he said that, Ya Ya disagreed.

"No! Brother Ma, you've only done good deeds!"

Wow, such unwavering support, who wouldn't like that?

Ma Xun was straightforward; he put his arm around Ya Ya's slender waist, intending to give her more positive energy.

But Ya Ya was already exhausted and couldn't take it anymore. Fortunately, she made a quick decision.

"Sister Xiaoran, she actually misses you, Brother Ma, very much too."

Does she need to find help?

What else can Ma Xun, such a good person, do?
Call her over!
Let's meet the beauties again today!

……

Section Chief Jia intended to cast Tong Liya in his film, simply because she was a newcomer and because her portrayal of a village girl in "Incense" perfectly suited his style. It's worth noting that Ning Hao and Section Chief Jia are from the same hometown, and "Incense" was filmed there; they're even considered fellow apprentices.

That makes perfect sense.

After being persuaded by her brother Ma, Ya Ya naturally declined the opportunity.

This was originally a minor matter.

However, the Wang brothers found out.

We have to do something!
"Rumor has it that a rising star turned down an invitation from a well-known director?"

"The rising star is rumored to be Tong Liya! And the director is rumored to be Director Jia!"

"Is Tong Liya getting too big for her britches? She even rejected a director as famous as Director Jia?"

"No way, how many actors want to be in Director Jia's films but can't get the chance?"

Copy it!
This matter must be amplified! It must be put on the internet so that more people can see it!

This whole thing is not only a smear campaign against Yaya's rising career, but also a serious issue.

The key is to give "Incense" a good whack.

Don't underestimate this tactic; as long as it can make more people feel disgusted with a certain actor.

Therefore, it will definitely affect the works that this person appears in.

This is absolutely true.

Although this method seems very simple, in reality, a simple method is enough as long as it works.

The mutual attacks in the entertainment industry and the business battles in the business world are not actually that sophisticated.

It's too early to tell what the outcome will be.

However, the Wang brothers discovered an opportunity.

They simply invited Section Chief Jia to Huayi Company.

Moreover, another person was also invited, namely Mr. Zhang Xinming!

Section Chief Jia and Zhang Xinming are both from Shanxi, and one of them makes movies while the other invests in them.

They also appeared together at the advertising company owned by the Wang brothers.

What amazing sparks will fly when they collide like this!

Yes, there was a collision, there really was a collision.

The group met and exchanged pleasantries.

There were naturally several other bosses present, but the conversation quickly turned to the film "Still Life".

"Director Jia is one of the top directors in our country."

"That's right, winning international awards is just commonplace for them."

Sure! The Wang brothers were the first to give it a shout-out.

Section Chief Jia's face was full of smiles, even though his relationship with the Wang brothers was just so-so before.

We all keep to ourselves, but we're all in the same circle, and there hasn't been any major falling out between us before.

There's nothing wrong with discussing new film investments.

Who wouldn't take money if offered to them?
The key point is that, over the years, Section Chief Jia has hardly ever lived a life of luxury. He can't be said to be extremely poor, but compared to people like the Wang brothers, he really can't compare.

Even compared to directors, he is hardly wealthy.

Of course, Director Jia is definitely not a poor director without money.

In short, his international reputation and the number of awards he has received are indeed not very commensurate with his achievements.

And now, his fellow villager is still around, and he's even a coal mine owner... This...

"Brothers, you are too kind. The film I am currently preparing, 'Still Life,' will tell the story from a unique perspective."

Section Chief Jia began, and although he was talking about his own film, it was as if he were making a proposal.

The business owners present all understood this.

Listen to what the film is about, but in reality, the deciding factors for investment, and their relationship with the film itself... are not that significant.

These days, investing in a film or television production is a big deal.

I don't really care about the play itself; what I care about is who the director is and who the actors are.

How famous they are.

How much money they can make for us... This is actually an estimate, and the key is that it is directly linked to their previous fame.

So, Section Chief Jia can just say it for a while, right?

Immediately, someone spoke up.

I have high hopes for this movie!

Thirteenth Young Master was very decisive and straightforward.

The Wang brothers were very happy to have him take the lead.

Now, the key is the big fish, Zhang Xinming.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Zhang seems to be facing a lot of trouble today.

Are you angry? Did you have a fight with your wife?
Or did the wife catch her husband cheating?
neither!
Finally, it was Zhang Xinming's turn to speak. He said, "Director Jia, I've always wanted to ask you, what's the deal with those movies you've made?"

He spoke in his hometown dialect, which made Section Chief Jia realize something was off, but he still smiled and replied, "I don't know, what aspect is Mr. Zhang asking about?"

Section Chief Jia still spoke in Mandarin.

But Zhang Xinming didn't mince words, "Many of the movies you made before were filmed in our own area, weren't they?"

"Well, that's right."

"And what about the story?"

"This...the story is..."

Without giving Section Chief Jia a chance to explain, Zhang Xinming immediately launched into a tirade.

"What's the story behind yours? If it's all about our fellow villagers, what do you mean by this? Isn't this airing your dirty laundry in public? Isn't this making a fool of yourself on the international stage?"

Good guy!
Everyone, including the Wang brothers, was stunned!

Why is Mr. Zhang Xinming so direct?
This burst of power, this offensive force, this firepower... absolutely incredible!
The scene instantly became extremely awkward!

The key point is that Section Chief Jia can't say much, because Zhang Xinming has a point, and besides, Boss Zhang is an investor.

This infuriated Section Chief Jia to the point of internal injury.

So what's the point of investing in this project?!
Zhang Xinming then unleashed another torrent of abuse before storming off.

The Wang brothers panicked, but they were both considered smart.

I know why Zhang Xinming is so angry.

You should still try to persuade them.

In any case, this so-called conference ended on a sour note.

Section Chief Jia lost a lot of face.

Seeing this unfold, Li Xue naturally witnessed the whole situation, and he definitely had to tell Ma Xun about it.

Ma Xun's response was quite interesting.

"The movie '2046' cost Zhang Xinming a fortune. The Wang brothers even came to see Section Chief Jia. It would be strange if Zhang Xinming didn't curse them out."

Right!

That's exactly the situation.

Looking at the current box office growth of "2046", it's like an old ox sinking into a quagmire.

Difficulty.

Upon hearing this, Li Xue giggled even more.

However, she told Ma Xun that she would probably be going on maternity leave.

This... Ma Xun was somewhat surprised.

The seeds have already been sown on the enemy's side, cough cough...

Anyway, let them be as they see fit as they are, like the Ice and Snow Sisters.

As for Ya Ya, Ma Xun naturally had to make the decision for her.

Soon after, such rumors began to circulate online.

Tong Liya to star in Ning Hao's new film!