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

Chapter 312: A battle of wits and strength, reminiscent of *The Warlords*, *Disciple*, and *Lust, Caution*.

at this time.

In Peking.

Guan Hu, Lou Ye, and Lu Chuan gathered in the small teahouse.

Watching the world go by with a smile.

At this moment, Lu Chuan was a little nervous in front of the two seniors.

This circle still values ​​seniority.

I am a seventh generation.

They are nothing but juniors compared to these two sixth-generation leaders.

A very young junior.

"When gods fight, the best course of action is to protect yourself. To get involved at this time would be the most arrogant and foolish thing to do."

Guan Hu clicked his tongue in disapproval, noting that this year's situation was quite rare.

The fifth generation of crossovers, plus actors returning from Hollywood.

It doesn't seem like a good time to release my own work.
"But as a viewer, I do think this battle of the gods is a good time to watch and learn," Lou Ye said with a smile. Those who don't have any works this year are tough, legitimately cowardly, and don't have to bear the label of coward, which is fine.

It's not that I'm afraid to face them, it's that I don't have any work this year!
Meanwhile, Lu Chuan, who was able to participate in the gathering of sixth-generation directors, naturally became the target of ridicule.

"How long until your film 'Nanjing' is released? We can't wait!"

Originally, "Nanjing" was scheduled for release this year.

But seeing this lineup of gods fighting, Lu Chuan naturally chose to shrink back.

Although it might seem a bit strange to talk about seniors and juniors in the art industry.

But that's the current situation.

The fifth generation of directors were at their peak in terms of overall strength, influence, artistic vision, and appeal.

The sixth generation of directors, while slightly inferior, possessed unique strength in artistic expression, though overall they were slightly less accomplished than the fifth generation.

The seventh generation of directors, that is, Lu Chuan's generation, is often said to be the lingering legacy of their ancestors, with their fathers and grandfathers making a comeback. They also have their own personal strengths.

From "The Missing Gun" to "Kekexili".

In particular, "Kekexili" shattered the illusion surrounding Jiang Wen, the real director of "Looking for a Gun".

This allowed his name to also appear in the field of vision of contemporary directors.

He was even the leader of the seventh generation.

Despite appearing inferior to the Sixth Generation directors, Lu Chuan is no ordinary person; he is a representative of the Seventh Generation directors.

At this moment, Lu Chuan said.

"We'll release it next year. There was a mistake in the post-production editing, which meant we had to re-edit it, so it won't be available until next year."

“That’s a real ‘pity’,” Guan Hu said, stroking his chin.

The specific reasons can be figured out by thinking about them carefully.

That's just cowardice.

Originally, this wouldn't have been a big deal. If we ask ourselves honestly, the sixth generation members present would have been cowardly under such circumstances, especially given their general preference for art films.

Don't ask why they're good at art films; are they trying to compete with the Fifth Generation directors in commercial films? That would be very difficult.

"However, there is a freak in your seventh generation."

At this moment, Lou Ye, who was standing next to him, said, "A man named Li Xuan, under these circumstances, not only did not postpone, but actually moved closer to the release date for that month."

He wasn't particularly interested in the seventh generation of directors. Looking at the seventh generation, only Lu Chuan seemed somewhat promising, as he came from a family with a long history and his style was inherited from his father.

It can also be considered a kind of 'inheritance,' let's carry it forward and make it flourish.
Li Xuan.

This name
Lu Chuan remembered.

He even remembers it very clearly.

I met him during the filming of "Looking for a Gun". He was an extra, someone people in the industry often call a "peasant".

A person who evoked very complex feelings in Lu Chuan. To be honest, he was still jealous of Li Xuan to this day. Back when they were filming "Looking for a Gun," Jiang Wen's attitude towards him and Li Xuan was completely different.

He treats himself like a 'junior'.

He treated Li Xuan more like an 'equal'.

Jiang Wen is a 'genius' director who belongs neither to the Fifth Generation nor the Sixth Generation. He has an absolutely unique and distinctive style. When he is passionate, he is like the Fifth Generation, but when he expresses his thoughts in a delicate way, he is more like the Sixth Generation.

It's the 'genius' Jiang Wen.

The moment Lu Chuan received Jiang Wen's praise after the release of "Looking for a Gun," he felt that his life had reached a more complete state and a more fulfilling feeling.

That was his own 'teacher'.

The feeling of receiving genuine recognition from one's master is truly wonderful.

Li Xuan also felt conflicted; as an actor, he simply couldn't find fault with him.

Especially the ability to input text.

When Lu Chuan was working with Li Xuan, he had a feeling that he wasn't understanding the script, but rather that he had traveled into the script, lived as that person for decades, and then become the person in the script, acting with himself.

The film is about his 'life'.

When filming "Kekexili", he felt it even more strongly. When he invited many local herders to film, he knew what it really meant to play oneself.

That's roughly how it is.

Because of Li Xuan's personality, Lu Chuan's feelings were very complicated.

Especially the mess he made at the Beijing Film Academy, the TV series "The Young Students," which is known to almost everyone in the industry.

After all, with an entire student body, he's bold and really dares to do something like this.

And they actually managed to make it happen.

The strongest graduation performance in the history of Beijing Film Academy.

At this stage, Lu Chuan was quite impressed; as a peasant and extra, he had managed to get to this point.
However, after learning that he was going to make a movie, that admiration vanished.

after all.

The film market.

But it's my cake!
If you continue down the path of becoming a 'seventh-generation TV drama director,' I am willing to learn from you and humbly seek your guidance.

But if you come to the film industry, as a seventh-generation director, as a director outside the Beijing film circle, or even outside any circle at all.

This makes it absolutely impossible for Lu Chuan to view Li Xuan with the same mindset as before.

Yes.

enemy.

It's still one.

A foolish enemy.

In this year of fierce competition among industry giants, those who don't back down but instead move closer either display absolute arrogance or a lack of understanding and respect for the film market.

That's why these sixth-generation directors noticed something strange. While the leaders of the sixth and seventh generations were backing away, he actually chose to take the initiative to approach them.

This
This
No wonder she started out acting in TV dramas.

Do you think that if a TV series is well-made, a movie can be made too?

It's important to understand that television dramas, as a free medium, are far more forgiving than movies.

Movies, on the other hand, generate real money through box office revenue, and ticket prices are not cheap.

We are currently in a phase of rapid economic development, and a movie ticket costing a few dozen yuan is only an expense for families or couples, perhaps once a week.

The difficulty of 'recouping costs' is far greater than that of TV dramas.

Many film directors are not short of money; they just want to win awards and monetize their wealth elsewhere.

Simply robbing movie theaters is too difficult.

Moreover, the people who come to rob us are those burly fifth-generation directors and Hollywood figures.

It's impossible, absolutely impossible. Li Xuan's actions were tantamount to a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

"He is a very good actor."

At this moment, Lu Chuan remained silent for a moment before saying, "But he's also a fool."

Just focus on being a good actor.

It would be good to be a director in the field of television dramas.

Why do you want to get involved in the film market?

This is not a place you should be involved in.

You're fighting this all by yourself.

How could they possibly rival my family's three generations of heritage?

Absolutely impossible.

In addition, this lack of wisdom is evident.

"At heart, he's still just a peasant."

Just as Lu Chuanrui was commenting on Li Xuan, a faint voice came from the side.

"And what about you?"

Turning around, I spotted a familiar face.

This is a high-end teahouse in Beiping (Beijing). It doesn't even have a sign or name; it's a very private place, usually only open to internal staff. People who can come here are either children of high-ranking officials or members of the Beijing elite.

A cup of authentic Beiping tea costs at least a thousand yuan.

Authentic, high-class.

The person who spoke surprised Lu Chuan.

"Old teacher".

The speaker was Jiang Wen, who was also having tea there at the time.

Looking at Lu Chuan, the emotions conveyed in Jiang Wen's eyes stung him.

A very straightforward expression.

'coward'

He's a peasant, so what are you?

You are a coward who doesn't even dare to face reality.
Jiang Wen didn't say anything, just chuckled, paid the bill, and left.
This left Lu Chuan and several sixth-generation directors in an awkward position.

Guan Hu broke the silence first, saying softly, "Lu Chuan, don't worry about it. This world is materialistic and objective. What kind of consequences a person will achieve will not be changed by a few words."

Even with Jiang Wen being such a prodigy, they dared not offer any sharp criticism.

All that is known is that Jiang Wen's strength and talent are indeed 'strong' in a very simple way.

He's simply strong; he's strong in both entertainment and artistry.
"Um"

Lu Chuan was in a very awkward position at this moment.

But Guan Hu's words are indeed the most truthful statement.

This world is always materialistic, always objective.
Lu Chuan was even more jealous at this moment.

They became even more furious.

Even my teacher says that about me.

Why should he?
Why do I have such high hopes for you?

You peasant, you extra.

In Lu Chuan's eyes, Li Xuan was still that extra who ate his boxed lunch on the train.

Why should he?
"Just based on Jet Li, just based on this superstar with a salary of over 100 million, even if we add 'Assembly', there is no cast in this release window that is more competitive than our 'The Warlords'."

At this moment, Chen Kexing stood beside him and said with a smile.

The three directors are now meeting in teahouses in Hong Kong.

A gathering that appears amicable on the surface, but is actually rife with tension and hostility behind the scenes.

Of course, Derek Yee was just there to make up the numbers—this time it was actually a battle between "Lust, Caution" and "The Warlords." He was well aware of his own limitations in terms of box office performance, knowing that his subject matter was not as advantageous in terms of achieving commercial success.

Moreover, "Protégé" was also produced by the renowned Hong Kong director Chan Ho-sing, so he can be considered as part of the main creators.

Regarding commercial achievements, Derek Yee finished his tea and took a half step back, but when it comes to artistic achievements, I won't give way.

"It feels like we're fighting with gangsters over the dragon head staff."

"The principles of this world are pretty much the same."

Li Xuan watched the whole thing with great interest.

They also had to engage in a "literary contest" first.

The 'fight' at the box office.

Cultured gangsters can be quite captivating.

At this moment, Li Xuan and Wu Yanzu, as actors, were on the outside, watching the main creators drink tea and compete in terms of momentum. At the head of the main table were the director, the core actors, Tony Leung from "Lust, Caution," and his female companion Liu Jialing, although Liu Jialing's face looked very dark.

Even Wu Yanzu was still wondering next to Li Xuan why Liu Jialing looked so unhappy.
Tony Leung's "Lust, Caution" is considered a major adaptation of an existing IP, and it was directed by an internationally renowned director.

It's fair to say that this work has considerable ambition and is generating a lot of buzz.

"Guess why it wasn't released in mainland China? And not even a censored version?"

"Then," Wu Yanzu suddenly realized, and then asked, "Why?"

Li Xuan: ",,,,,,"

Ah Zu.

You'll know once the "Lust, Caution" DVD is released.

Wu Yanzu, puzzled, why not theatrical release?
Ok.

I do not recommend watching it in theaters.

I really don't recommend it.

That's all I have to say.

but.

Their verbal sparring and threats at the dinner table will ultimately depend on the box office results, and the dynamics of the dinner table are quite interesting.

Takeshi Kaneshiro didn't sit at the table, Andy Lau was half a step behind Jet Li, and Jet Li was on equal footing with director Chen Kexing. You can see the status of the stars and directors in the "Warriors" crew.

At the table in "Lust, Caution," Li An had absolute control. Hmm, the interaction between Liu Jialing and Tang Wei at that table was quite exciting; you could practically smell the gunpowder at our own table.

Let's fight! Let's fucking fight! I love watching women fight, pulling their hair!
Unfortunately, this wasn't a situation where a fight could break out.
At this moment, looking at Tang Wei across the table, although he was sitting in a corner, his movements were hunched and humble, but his unwavering determination was still very evident.
After filming "Lust, Caution".

She has no regrets.

No matter what.

Her 'realization' was indeed genuine, and at that time, the industry probably didn't know that 'Lust, Caution' had launched a top-tier art film actress.

"If Ma Xiaogang had come this time, it would have been a complete 'battle of wits,' but unfortunately the mainland won't play these games with us Hong Kong people."

At this moment, Derek Yee sighed slightly, "It hasn't been easy for Hong Kong to assemble this lineup over the years."

Derek Yee has a very good attitude.

Not competing with these two at the box office doesn't mean I have low expectations for my own box office performance.

At least in Hong Kong, Ah Zu is carrying the box office.

There will absolutely be no problem. Derek Yee has confidence in his box office expectations.

Ultimately, these are the three major directors in name only, even though they themselves seem to be just there to make up the numbers.

However, it was also aiming for both critical acclaim and commercial success.
"Actually, I think this lineup is actually quite good."

At this moment, Zhang Jingchu, who was standing next to her, smiled slightly and said, "Xiao Li's movie is also premiering in this episode."

All eyes at the table were now focused on Li Xuan.
(End of this chapter)