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

Chapter 353, Which of the two perspectives on "Nanjing" is better?

'die'

It's a feeling, a feeling of 'nothingness' throughout the body. Li Xuan initially felt that when he had a deep enough understanding of acting 'death,' this time it refreshed his feeling.

Only when you truly immerse yourself in the era of the Nanjing Massacre can you personally experience the torment and suffering involved.
That's something that photos simply can't convey or experience.
The photos only convey brutality and cruelty; these visible things represent a painful death for the victims.

For those who survived, it was a painful survival.

Survival is an instinctive desire. During the Nanjing Massacre, I, as a postman, tried every means to survive. For this reason, I was even willing to become friends with the person who caused me physical discomfort.

She even helped him develop the photos.

Even though these things are hard for me to accept, I can only force myself to accept them through a certain mindset.

Perhaps there really are "good Japanese people".

What drives this consciousness is the idea of ​​merely surviving.

But when these photos were sent over, and when they were developed, there was no longer any way to deceive myself.

They are a bunch of beasts.

I'm just a postman.

I don't really understand what national righteousness means, let alone revolutionary spirit. I'm just a nobody, a humble person. All I know is that our lives were destroyed from the moment the Japanese entered the city.

It's not life, it's living.

Love, hate, like, dislike.

Everything.

Everything was destroyed at this moment; those who laughed and those who cried, children, women, and men all turned into rotting things.

The fragrance of osmanthus blossoms in the air had turned into the smell of decay.

But they wanted to preserve this scene, to record this hellish experience, and use it as a claim to their own country.

Why would an ordinary person risk their life to protect these negatives?
Even though there was a chance for life to continue.

Because I have nothing left but life.
Since we have nothing, what is there to be afraid of?

As a 'person'.

For my destroyed life.

Protect those negatives
Even though I have nothing, I will protect the negatives with my life.

"He didn't punish me; instead, he entrusted me with a heavy responsibility."

at this time,

During filming, Huang Xiaoming also discovered that the despicable character he was playing...
Although he was utterly despicable, he actually understood one thing: he seemed to be carrying the soul of the Nanjing Photo Studio.

"This role has truly placed such a heavy burden on me, and it has indeed affected me in this way."

Even if you simply ask him to play a Japanese officer, he wouldn't have much of a special feeling. He could play the role very well with his broken Japanese and a little bit of 'malice'.

This time, the Japanese man, Hideo Ito, instinctively didn't allow him to harbor any malicious intent.

Go and join the Japanese concept of 'benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness'.

One is a 'young nobleman' and the other is a 'cowardly' person. One has a lot of positive qualities and is also a dog lover.

Feeding poor dogs next to the mutilated corpses of humans.

He is so 'kind'.

Despite possessing so many positive qualities, Huang Xiaoming felt even more deeply that he was an utterly despicable and hateful person.
It is even more repulsive than orthodox 'evil'.

The characterization of Li Xuan is truly terrifyingly strong.
That's really scary.
When Huang Xiaoming was here, he could no longer treat Li Xuan as an equal.

For him, Li Xuan's existence was no less than that of a renowned senior figure in the industry.
Even if you want to suppress those feelings.

He also found it difficult to suppress.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress the heartfelt sense of admiration that had arisen in him for Li Xuan.

hateful.

There's no such thing as 'being so attached to one's hometown that one's conscience suddenly awakens'.

There was no 'empathy with the Chinese people and release of civilians' either.

There was no sense of guilt or remorse among the rank-and-file soldiers who felt they had no choice in the matter.

To film a photo shoot about 'Sino-Japanese friendship,' Su Liuqing and Lin Yuxiu need to play a married couple, holding a baby, and 'happily' taking good photos.
As for what to do if the baby being used for a friendly photo shoot is noisy—stab him to death, and he will stop crying and be able to cooperate for the 'friendly' photo shoot.

"To take them in is a kindness!"

"Giving them food is an act of righteousness!"

"Promising to give them the passes is a promise!"

"Using someone else to do the dirty work is a sign of wisdom!"

"I trusted you so much, I considered you a friend!"

Ito angrily accused Su Liuqing, this traitor—"I am a nobleman of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness, and I have been so obsequious to you."
Until filming wrapped up, everyone was immersed in their own destiny, and unknowingly, everyone became immersed in that era.

That Hellish Era
Not everyone understands things like national righteousness. Tang Wei is like that; the era is too far removed from his own. Even if he empathizes with such things, they are actually too far removed from his own life.

Director Li Xuan conveyed the pain. She was able to empathize with that pain.

Everything except life was destroyed. The meaning and principles of survival, even life itself, were nothing more than things that the Japanese devils could play with at will.

It's a kind of immersive experience of torment and pain.

It also allows one to reach a more perfect level of acting skills.

but now.

Even more painful.

It should be Li Xuan.

Filming for "Nanjing Photo Studio," a microcosm of a story told from the perspective of a photo studio, was completed in just two months.

After filming wrapped, everyone fell into a state of quiet solitude.
That means you're too immersed in the role.

"Our crew doesn't need all that fancy stuff. We'll just have a meal after filming wraps up, wait for the release, and I don't think anyone really wants to chat right now."

Li Xuan's eyes were very calm. As the writer, director and actor, he led everyone back to the 'ruins' of the past era, to eke out a living in such a hell.

It seems that only Li Xuan has 'broken out of the scene,' while everyone else is still trapped in the ruins of their thoughts.

Huang Xiaoming simply took leave; this most despicable character in the entire movie didn't show up.
Li Xuan stayed alone in the ruins of this site.

It's just a dilapidated ruin; once the film set filter is removed, it's nothing more than a staged film set.

"Smoking?"

"Don't smoke."

"Cigarettes are a bad thing, but when you feel depressed, they can also be a good thing. They can numb your heart and give you some comfort when you are in pain."

At this moment, Tang Wei appeared with a woman's cigarette in his mouth.

Something unexpected happened to Li Xuan.

I thought she had something on her mind, but she was just talking.

When we also feel pain, the pain you, as the director, endure will only be amplified.

When you can lead us to the ruins.

You yourself are the ruins themselves.

Li Xuan noticed it immediately.

"Thank you. Indeed, you are right. I am in pain. When I stand in these ruins, the cries of the victims echo in my ears."

“That Mr. Ito is still echoing in my ears, repeating his so-called benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness, telling me that I betrayed him.”

"And those two beasts who were competing to kill a thousand people were telling me about the joy they felt while competing to kill a thousand people with such innocent smiles."

Li Xuan used a very calm mind.

He was recounting things that Tang Wei imagined that he shouldn't have imagined.

This is terrible. Putting myself in her shoes, I probably wouldn't have been so calm if this had happened to me.

"Why don't you smoke one?"

"No"

At this moment, Li Xuan looked at the cigarette and said, "Pain should not be numbed. One should remember what caused the pain, remember it deeply, and never forget it. That is the right thing to do."

If you truly "painfully" numb yourself.

That's what the enemy wants.

Bear the pain, remember the pain.
At this moment, there was a look in Li Xuan's eyes that made Tang Wei's heart tremble.

Among the men he met.

Perhaps to feign melancholy, or perhaps for other reasons, she was always smoking, and she had learned to use cigarettes to numb her pain.

Only a person with delicate emotions can become a good actor.

This sensitive capacity for empathy can also bring trouble and illness.

Many actors suffer from similar illnesses.

But Li Xuan, who clearly suffered more pain
When faced with pain, he didn't respond with nicotine and alcohol, but with a direct gaze.

His sharp eyes, penetrating Tang Wei's body, were fixed on the 'Japanese soldiers' behind him.

You want to cause me pain and break my spirit? I won't.

I will only do one thing, and that is to remember the 'pain' of this moment.

He is really 'strong'.

Regardless of his future achievements or the status he may reach, he is the most determined man Tang Wei has ever met.

A real man.

Tang Wei hadn't left yet, and Huang Xiaoming had arrived as well.

"I knew you'd be here, but I didn't expect you to be here too."

"Alright, stop hating me. I'm Huang Xiaoming, not Hideo Ito!"

At this moment, Huang Xiaoming could feel the disgust in Tang Wei's eyes, and he felt very innocent and pitiful!

I'm an actor!

I'm in pain too, okay!

"Yes, I know," Tang Wei said casually. "I'll go first, you two chat."

At this moment, Huang Xiaoming sat down next to Li Xuan and tsk tsk.

"Hey, I'm here to comfort you, but I'm in pain too, so why don't you come and comfort me?"

We're all adults; sometimes you can tell what's going on just by looking at someone's gestures.

"We're different."

Li Xuan smiled slightly.

"Hmm, did you need something from me, senior?"

The fact that he can joke around suggests that his 'recovery' is progressing well.

"Nothing much, I just wanted to chat with you." Huang Xiaoming looked at Li Xuan and said, "I admit, I'm not as good as you. Regardless of acting skills and talent, just your ability to withstand pressure is something I can't compare to."

The play carries the weight and pressure of being immersed in the Nanjing Massacre.

Off-screen, "Nanjing Photo Studio," a hastily filmed work, is destined to compete with "Nanjing! Nanjing!"
Regardless of whether it is subjective or not.

Li Xuan will be regarded as a challenger to the leading figure of the seventh generation of directors.

Whether it's TV series or movies, Li Xuan has achieved sufficient basic results.

Most people will choose to build a solid foundation.

Li Xuan is completely different.

In every aspect, they have acted as challengers.

Even he, who had once been a "challenger," felt that this was too radical.

But I admire him.

His talent justifies this radicalism.

Especially when "New Three Kingdoms" was about to air, it was a time when his talent could be truly recognized in the television drama field.

Regardless of what others think.

At least that's what Huang Xiaoming thinks.

As a challenger, Li Xuan is truly capable of vying for the top spot.

He is qualified.

"You came here just to tell me this?" Li Xuan smiled at this point.

"You have to listen to me. I'm here to apologize, right? Okay, I did suspect you were messing with me this time, treating me like a Japanese person, but I realized I was wrong after filming. If I really was 'messing' you, it's only because I wasn't skilled enough."

At this moment, Li Xuan also spoke.

“I could see that too. As a Chinese person, it must be difficult to play this role.”

"Feeling sorry for me?"

“No, after all, I have someone to comfort me, while you can only lick your wounds alone.” At this moment, Li Xuan looked at the weariness in Huang Xiaoming’s eyes: “Perhaps from this perspective, I really did treat you like a Japanese person.”

The pain in his eyes.

Indeed, it's no shallower than mine.

Because of the conflict between the role and the thoughts, he still has to truly "play" it.

"Maybe so, but at least you gave me this opportunity, and if I want to 'get back at' you, the best way is to play this role well, let everyone witness my acting skills, and let me, as an actor, have a challenge and a performance."

At this point, Huang Xiaoming got up and left, having spoken with Li Xuan for the first time.
He felt much better after that.

Not for any other reason than to get things said.

That's it.

He no longer concealed the adoration in his words.

Moreover, Li Xuan possessed many qualities that inspired his admiration.
This circle.

Resources, talent, money, and looks.

These things, when intertwined, form the underlying desires of this circle. People like Huang Xiaoming, who have no background or resources, can only climb up step by step through their own efforts and dependence.

He's become numb.

The reason I used to dislike Li Xuan so much was probably because I saw that this guy was able to climb the ladder without using my own methods.

They climb even faster.

It's even more intense.

It left those in high positions speechless and incredulous.

They were even curious about how far he could climb.

He carries not only the indifferent and condescending gaze of those in power.

It also carries people like him.

Looking up, anticipating, hoping.

"Nanjing" from the perspective of us ordinary folks.

And your elite "Nanjing".

Which one is more acceptable?

(End of this chapter)