I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 214, Flower Girls at Funerals in the Old Days?

"Election" is also very famous in Hong Kong's entertainment circle. Although the budget was second-tier, it was actually a first-tier production.

Judging from this cast alone, it would be difficult to imagine such a lineup, whether in the past or the future.

It brought together almost all of Hong Kong's top actors, and they weren't even from the same generation.

Three eras.

From the Shaw Brothers era, the golden age, to today's new generation.

Many actors work without pay, especially the older generation. Those who play roles of grandparents or great-uncles perform on a voluntary basis, and some even bring their own people and money with them.

"I won't attend this funeral. I'm moving towards a new era, and I won't attend the funerals of you old folks."

Wang Jing was all smiles at this moment. This time, "The World's Number One" in mainland China had brought him a lot of success. These are things from the old days.

He had long since given up on it.

Only older generations like one's own father would always reminisce about the past, be so immersed in it, and find it hard to extricate themselves.

"I know that dwelling on the past is not a good thing, but when people reach this age, they will always become obsessed with some things from the past, especially when those things once brought you glory and brought you half a lifetime of success. You may then get caught up in these emotions and be unable to extricate yourself."

At this moment, Wang Tianlin, who is also Wang Jing's father, said leisurely.

Wang Jing discovered that his father had aged.

wrong.

Wang Jing suddenly realized that it wasn't just his father who was getting old.

Holy shit.

"Turns out I'm getting old too, I'm almost 50 years old."

“We will all grow old, it’s just that you haven’t reached the point where you need to attend the funeral of the old era yet.” Wang Tianlin smiled slightly: “When that time comes, you’ll probably understand how I feel.”

At this moment, Wang Tianlin sighed, somewhat looking forward to the start of the filming, which might be his last appearance on the big screen.

This is the last chance.

I might not be able to act anymore in the future.

"Maybe I'll understand your feelings in the future, but not now. I hope you can express your feelings this time."

At this moment, Wang Jing sincerely wished that his father could find his own old era in this movie.

"However, the only drawback is that a mainland Chinese person somehow managed to sneak into our old-fashioned funeral this time."

At this moment, Wang Tianlin sighed, which was a slight source of his dissatisfaction.

Surprisingly, a young mainland Chinese person was mixed in with the cast of the new generation of characters.

It's not that Wang Tianlin has any issues with mainlanders; in fact, it was this old guy who orchestrated Wang Jing's move to the mainland, as he was very optimistic about the development trend of the mainland entertainment industry.

That's why I have a slight opinion about this mainland Chinese person.

It's also purely because...

The mainland did not experience that era.

During that period of power transition, the land was ruled by a group of rats from the gutter, and these rats formed the Dragon City era.

Those who haven't experienced it can't understand that feeling.

Then you wouldn't have that kind of understanding.

“Mainlanders really can’t handle it; they didn’t experience that era.” Wang Jing clicked his tongue at this point. This wasn’t a derogatory remark, but rather a compliment. The mainland was at the height of its gangster power. He was also a gangster, a rat in the sewers. But in Hong Kong, back then, these guys were in cahoots with the Governor and the police; that was the official order.

The movie "Kung Fu Hustle" also has a metaphor for that era. Although it is about the Axe Gang being extremely arrogant during the War of Resistance against Japan, it also describes how Hong Kong, under British rule, was just as bad after the war ended.

You can't truly understand something if you haven't experienced it.

Works like "Infernal Affairs" have also invited mainland actors to make cameo appearances. For example, in "Infernal Affairs 3," a mainland actor was even invited to play a gang leader.

At the time, I felt that mainland Chinese actors couldn't portray that kind of feeling.

He couldn't capture the shady, underworld feel of Hong Kong's underworld.

The feeling of being a dark rat in a sewer is something that people from mainland China find hard to express.

"Yeah, that Li Xuan."

"Wait a minute, you just mentioned Li Xuan, right?"

"Ok?"

When Wang Jing heard the name Li Xuan, his DNA immediately reacted.

Did you just mention Li Xuan?

"What's wrong with Li Xuan?" Wang Tianlin asked, puzzled.

"You mean, Li Xuan was involved in your film this time?"

"Yes, there's an actor from mainland China named Li Xuan. He plays a fairly important role, kind of like a member of the main cast. What's wrong?"

"It's him!" Wang Jing murmured. He never expected to hear Li Xuan's name here. Come to think of it, he is someone who works in both movies and TV series.

A dual-threat in film and television!

"You know this kid."

"He is a major contributor to my new TV series 'The World's Number One'. He is not the main character, but he is better than the main character. His popularity has basically overshadowed the main characters. It can be said that all the publicity and promotion done by companies in Beijing, Taiwan and Hong Kong for their own main characters has benefited him."

"so smart?"

Wang Tianlin was somewhat surprised. He rarely saw his son praise people. In the end, his son was also an arrogant fat man, just like him.

Just like Stephen Chow.

The relationship between Wang Jing and Stephen Chow this week is not very good.

Although the two have collaborated on many projects, they have never developed a friendship that goes beyond that of colleagues. Over the years, they have produced many hit works together, but in most cases, it has remained a purely professional relationship.

Although Wang Jing didn't particularly like Stephen Chow's personality, he still gave him very high praise as an actor.

Stephen Chow is a true actor.

You are a truly excellent and powerful person.

The last person to praise him was Stephen Chow.

This time it's Li Xuan.

"No, it's precisely because I think this kid is capable that I felt he was bound to fail this time."

At this moment, Wang Jing paused and then spoke.

He possesses a uniquely masculine charm.

If you ask him to play a righteous and important figure, he can definitely give you a decent performance. He can also play a villainous and ruthless character. But if you ask him to play a nobody in a damp sewer, he might not be able to handle it.

People are born with a certain temperament and aura, and Li Xuan is not suitable.

In this funeral of the old era.

He can only be a flower boy now.

"Actually, I still think that Mr. Xiang's choice this time was somewhat presumptuous. I still think that he acted on emotion this time. Reality is reality, and acting is acting. There will always be some differences. Art, after all, is based on reality but transcends it."

At this moment, Du Qifeng was pondering a question.

What Mr. Xiang said makes sense; his impulse stemmed from the feeling he had when he saw Li Xuan looking in the mirror.

The feeling of having one's ugly side exposed.

Originally, "Election" and "Peace and Harmony" were already revealing enough, but in the end, they even stripped away the bare bottom.

That would actually be less than ideal.

Let's leave some room for maneuver.

Of course, there's another reason, which is probably also a feeling.

Gu Tianle would be a better choice.

He is more "authentic".

Because no matter what, Li Xuan's performance was just an act, so how could he compare to Gu Tianle, who actually worked as a petty thug?

No matter how good the acting is, it can't compare to real life experiences.

"Actually, I think the biggest challenge is that all the big names participating this time are really too big."

As the screenwriter, Yu Naiyang's observation was that there were just too many big-name actors participating this time.

If I had to put it this way, my most basic concern is that Li Xuan's acting in the show won't be good enough to share the stage with the veteran actors. If it were any other role, it wouldn't be so bad, but Jimmy's role is quite challenging among the roles played by the new generation of actors.

He has a clear career path.

From a lackey to a boss he was forced to become, this was a growth process he had no choice but to undergo.

"The stars are too big. That's true, but I've also considered it. Young people have their own stage, and those two old guys have their own stage. Their acting competition doesn't affect the younger ones, so it doesn't really matter."

At this moment, Du Qifeng waved his hand.

"Besides, the news that he was personally chosen by General Manager Xiang has already spread, and I'm afraid it will affect the crew's attitude towards him, and thus his mentality and performance." "I thought you didn't like this mainland guy."

This was somewhat surprising. At first, Yu Naiyang thought that Du Qifeng had a problem with mainlanders.

“Mainland China and Hong Kong are one family, originally of the same bloodline. Now that it has returned, what is there to object to? It has been over for so long. Besides, I don’t dislike that kid. I just think he might not be as suitable as Gu Tianle.” Du Qifeng threw down his cigarette: “Speaking of which, if it weren’t for the white people’s despicable behavior, there wouldn’t have been the incident of having someone film a movie while holding a gun to their head. It was extremely shameful.”

Even Du Qifeng, who is famous for making gangster films, has one true opinion.

That's it. A grand funeral is the best way to prepare it.

If you're dead, don't try to get back up like you're doing sit-ups.

It's harmful.

At this moment, Li Xuan arrived at the film set and suddenly sensed that the atmosphere had become somewhat subtle.
I could see quite a few people, including Wang Jing's father, and some familiar faces.

The younger generation, Zhang Jiahui (渣渣辉).

Fei Xue and Dongguan Zai are also well-known actors.

At this moment, Li Xuan felt that all eyes were on him.

Fei Xue and Lin Jiadong greeted Li Xuan politely, but didn't exchange many words or discuss the script or characters; they were quite indifferent.

In fact, Zhang Jiahui's treatment in this crew was similar to that of Li Xuan, so they were quite like brothers in misfortune.

"It's because we're both people with connections."

Zhang Jiahui then approached Li Xuan and smiled slightly.

He was also one of the few people in the crew who were quite friendly towards Li Xuan.

At least initially, they were quite close.

Li Xuan stared at the plane in front of him.

Short and thin, he doesn't have many advantages in terms of appearance as an actor.

But there was a tenacious quality in his eyes.
This seemingly brainless gangster isn't actually brainless.

"The two of us."

"You were handpicked by the General Manager." Zhang Jiahui smiled slightly and replied, "I was handpicked by the Director."

For Fei Xue and Lin Jiadong, the opportunity they had overcome to get here was the starting point for others who parachuted in.

At this moment, Li Xuan was both amused and exasperated, realizing that he too had become a "connected person" one day.

Although he claimed to have gotten the job through a legitimate audition, to them, he was just someone with connections who went through the motions, merely wearing a formality.

After all, no one believes that Li Xuan defeated Gu Tianle through direct confrontation, especially considering that Gu Tianle has a well-known history within the entertainment industry.

He used to be a gangster.

This is a dark and isolated period of history.

That's also the history that shows he's absolutely suited for the role.

Such a perfect fit for the role.

You said you weren't rejected because you used connections.

It seems like it's not very believable anymore.

A student from mainland China, he looks like he has connections to the back door.

For other ordinary actors who aspire to this career...

It certainly tastes a bit sour.

"But I'm really not someone with connections."

"I'm not a person with connections either, but this isn't something we can decide. Most people only look at the results."

Compared to airplanes that don't require brains.

Zhang Jiahui is indeed intelligent, and very intelligent at that.

Words are indeed a pale and powerless thing in the face of the silent rejection of colleagues.

We still need to rely on real strength.

Regarding the controversy surrounding nepotism on film sets, Charles Heung did not deny it, or rather, there was no need to deny it.

As the producer, the CEO, and the person in charge of this project, so what if I use connections to arrange things?

I'm the boss here.

Those two old guys are someone I can still give face to, so what about the other minor actors? If they can come here to film, it's because I'm giving them a chance to make a living.

"Don't tell me about the little actors' thoughts anymore, it's pointless. Instead, tell me about other things on set, such as the current state of the actors, the attitude of the older generation, and what's going on now."

At this moment, Xiang Huaqiang said calmly.

After the others gave their report, they left, not disturbing the old man's reminiscing.

"What's there to say? Just act well, but I don't know if they can capture the spirit of us back then."

The old man next to Xiang Huaqiang is named Chen Min. He used to be a double-flower red stick in the 13K triad. Later, he became an actor. He does not hide his triad history in the industry at all. Unlike the new generation who are secretive, he does not feel that there is anything shameful about his history.

It's simply a matter of choosing a promotion path that aligns with the times.

In that era, getting by was the best path to advancement, bar none.

"If you want them to put on a show, the old guys certainly can. They have acting skills, experience, and they have truly witnessed our rise and fall, they have truly seen our glorious era, so they are indeed quite different."

Xiang Huaqiang had complete trust in Liang Jiahui and Simon Yam, two veteran film stars, believing they would be able to convey the essence of the roles without any doubt. This was only natural.

As for the new generation of actors.

"By the way, I know you recently adopted a godson. Is it the one you recommended to join the cast of 'Dragon City Years'?"

"It's not him. My godson is much more outstanding. He's a brilliant student from the class of '96. Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. He's just a guy who only uses his muscles."

"I know her, Zhang Ziyi from the 96 class of mainland China, that prodigy who broke into Hollywood at a young age with a mainland identity."

"Looks like you're not just good at fighting."

"After all, I'm in this industry too, how could I not know? Don't treat me like some clueless brute."

At this moment, Chen Min felt somewhat helpless.

This Mr. Xiang really thinks he's a brute.

“That guy named Huang Xiaoming is my sharpest weapon for infiltrating the mainland circle. This young man is quite interesting.”

At this moment, Xiang Huaqiang said calmly.

"That person has the best acting skills?"

"No, that person is the most skilled at dealing with people and things. He is worldly-wise, flexible, and adaptable. Such a person is most likely to achieve great things. You know, the first time he came to me, he said he wanted to become my godfather."

"He is indeed a talented person."

Chen Min also genuinely admired him, recalling how, back in his days in the underworld, he often used sworn brotherhood or adopting someone as a godson as a pretext to forge relationships based on mutual benefit.

I never imagined that even in the new century, there would still be people who admire traditional customs and come here to pay homage to their godfather.

"I plan to arrange for him to make a movie, and I hope that his performance in the Beijing film circle will not disappoint me."

At this moment, Xiang Huaqiang squinted his eyes.

That was the young man he had the highest hopes for.

He has acting skills, is flexible and adaptable, is famous, has talent, and is good-looking—he possesses all the elements of success.

Without exaggeration, he believes that, based on his overall achievements, Huang Xiaoming should be the number one among the new generation in mainland China, without exception; he is the champion.

Moreover, the kind that can reach an even higher level.

Li Xuan's words simply show that he possesses a certain talent, which reminds Xiang Huaqiang of his past. As an actor with natural talent, he will likely follow the same path as Stephen Chow, a character who is both specialized and domineering.

As for how far he can go, that depends on his own abilities.

"As for this grand funeral, let's see how Simon Yam and Leung Ka-fai perform."

"I feel so too."

At this moment, Chen Min smiled and said, "How about we go to the film set to check on the crew?"

"can."

"Haha, that's the advantage of Hong Kong. There are so many people and so little land, so it's easy to go anywhere you want."

Chen Min's words carried a hint of sarcasm.

Visiting the set is convenient.

But this place is ultimately too narrow and too crowded.

Charles Heung neither confirmed nor denied it. He was betting on mainland actors, specifically Huang Xiaoming, hoping that this local talent could bring him profits.

This represents our interests.

(End of this chapter)