Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 218: Mutual betrayal, filming of "Black Peony" wraps up.

This year's Oscars will be held on February 25th, local time in the United States, which is February 26th in Beijing.

There are still more than two weeks until the Oscars ceremony.

However, North American public opinion has already been in an uproar.

The entire comment system, column platform, and portal homepage were overrun by supporters and opponents of the five best films, making it a kind of silent cold war in the film industry.

Babel supporters are enthusiastically promoting "cultural inclusiveness" and "multi-ethnic narratives," calling it a metaphorical miracle of the contemporary human communication dilemma.

However, he was ridiculed by supporters of other films as "a narcissistic director cloaked in the auteur halo".

"The Departed" was hailed by critics as "Martin Royce's last tactical chance," but it was immediately met with fierce criticism from opponents.

"Are we supposed to pay for Martin's tragic love story? Or is this some belated compensation for the college?"

Little Miss Sunshine's independent style has garnered praise, but also a deluge of ridicule:
"How did a family comedy that should have won an award at Sundance end up being packaged as an Oscar nominee?"

Get Out is also at the eye of this crossfire.

Opponents attacked it for "creating a genre by exploiting social wounds" and "portraying white people as devils, which is racial reverse violence."
An anonymous columnist bluntly stated: We are not racists, but we should not be subjected to collective trial in movie theaters.

At this very moment, the supporters of Get Out, especially the Black community, have quietly shifted into an organized state of response.

The Black Filmmakers Alliance in downtown Los Angeles released its first open letter with a sharp title:
[Not a horror film, but a realistic one: Why Get Out deserves an Oscar!]

The signatures below prominently include several Black college professors, heads of social movement organizations, and several influential independent film critics.

Meanwhile, Black media platforms such as Roots, Bravety, and Essence published articles in support of Wu Chen and Get Out:
This is a film that left Black audiences speechless in the theater!

While others exploit our history through symbolism, it at least dares to look directly into the eyes of the white people!

Black communities in Brooklyn, Chicago's South Side, Atlanta, Oakland, Detroit, and other cities simultaneously launched movie-watching support campaigns, with surprisingly straightforward online slogans:
"You may not like it, but you can't ignore it!"

"If we can't make our voice heard at the Oscars, then Get Out is our microphone!"

"."

The war was raging and the outcome was difficult to predict.

On the set of "Black Peony", in the afternoon.

The sky was overcast with a layer of low clouds, the snow in the distance had not yet melted, and the air was still filled with the chill of early spring.

Inside the film set, however, the atmosphere was sweltering. Wu Chen leaned back in his chair behind the monitor and couldn't help but sigh:

"I've read the briefings you and Universal sent. I didn't expect these media outlets and some movie fans to go to such lengths."

“Wu, you need to change your mindset. You need to realize that this is a war involving tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Some classic films can even generate more than 500 million dollars in long-tail revenue. Doesn’t that make sense?”

Jason Blum spoke casually, then suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, Lionsgate recently asked when the script outline for Now You See Me 2 will be available?"

Wu Chen was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

Before he knew it, he had already accumulated two scripts in debt.

One is a horror film he's working on with James Wan, but after thinking about it, he decided to bring "Insidious" to the big screen first.

The other one is Now You See Me 2.

Fortunately, one script is easy to write, while the other only requires writing the framework, allowing Hollywood screenwriters to slowly fill in the gaps until it's satisfactory.

"I really can't find the time right now, I'll have to wait a bit longer."

“I understand!” Jason Blum chuckled.
"However, my Blumhouse Pictures has already begun to expand rapidly. You will soon see a rising new Hollywood giant."

Wu Chen was amused by this and said, "I'm really looking forward to it. Let's do our best!"

"."

Meanwhile, the more major studios like Warner and Miramax promoted their products, the more something seemed off. They had spent a lot of time and effort, but it didn't seem to have created a significant gap. On the contrary, the battle lines were extremely close.

"Fcuk, the support for Get Out has remained very stable, and no amount of suppression can bring it down."

"We've already invested nearly ten million US dollars!"

Warner Bros.' Oscars PR team sat together, their eyes glued to the screen filled with dense data summaries of attacks and counterattacks against major films on major North American platforms over the past 48 hours.

"We have to change our strategy. There's no other way. We need to push Martin Scorsese up there and make it the Godfather of Hollywood's last chance for awards."

"."

While people in China only have a superficial understanding of this silent battle in North America, the big-budget domestic film "Red Cliff" has once again become the focus of heated discussion.

After China Film Group brought in Orange Sky Entertainment, news broke that the investment in "Red Cliff" had increased by another $2000 million.

When Ning Hao visited the set of "Black Peony," he couldn't help but exclaim, "Can such a huge investment recoup its costs? It must all depend on overseas funding. President Han is really generous!"

"Do you think President Han is really willing to give up?" Wu Chen smiled. "Is it possible that he's already on the boat and can't get off?"

Ning Hao was taken aback upon hearing this; he hadn't considered this aspect.

However, this is not impossible. After all, the initial investment has already been made, and if they don't invest, they will have to stop work and find new investment. Not everyone can accept such sunk costs.

"By the way, is your script finished?" Wu Chen looked at Ning Hao curiously. The fact that he could come to visit the set so leisurely meant that he probably had nothing else to do.

"Hehe, it's all written. I've put your people back, don't worry."

Ning Hao sat to the side, "We're just waiting for you and President Han to evaluate it. Personally, I think it's not bad. The screenwriters we found were all complaining at first that it was like arithmetic, like calculus, but after we finished writing it, they all rushed to get credit."

"Have you even studied calculus? You're just spouting nonsense."

Wu Chen smiled and said, "I'll go take a look after I finish filming here. Is the script still called 'Silver Medal Driver'?"

Ning Hao nodded. "It hasn't been changed. As the name suggests, it tells the story of a silver medal race car driver."

"Have you ever thought about changing the name? Like 'Crazy Racer'? Continuing the word 'crazy' and creating your own trilogy?"

Wu Chen's suggestion made Ning Hao's eyes light up, not because of the word "crazy," but because of the trilogy Wu Chen mentioned.

A successful series can be a huge boost to a director's career, making this suggestion very tempting. Ning Hao pondered for a moment: "That makes sense. I'll think about it."

China Film Group Building.

The afternoon light, tinged with a golden hue, streamed obliquely into the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a calm and dignified luster on the old mahogany desk in Han Sanping's office.

Han Sanping leaned back in his chair, his eyes revealing his usual solemnity and restraint, as he flipped through the current progress information of "Red Cliff".

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Gao Chengsheng walked in.

"Mr. Han, Director Ning Hao's script is finished. However, he said he would like to wait until Director Wu's 'Black Peony' finishes filming before discussing it further."

Director Wu's scenes are currently in a crucial post-production stage, and he can't spare the time.

"Well, there's no rush." ​​Han Sanping nodded slightly upon hearing this. Finally, some good news had arrived after a long time, but upon seeing the documents in front of him, he felt a headache coming on again.

"What did the insurance company say about 'Red Cliff'?"

"The insurance company's attitude is ambiguous; they are reluctant to provide a guarantee, believing that under the current circumstances, 'Red Cliff' may still face the risk of overspending unless we provide additional guarantees."

"Tell Wu Yusen to take a step back and stop revising the script so many times. A perfectly good two-hour script is getting longer and longer with each revision."

Han Sanping got angry at this point.

Damn, did Wu Yusen not learn any cost control techniques in Hollywood?

Suddenly I miss Wu Chen's film budget; he controlled the budget perfectly for even A-list Hollywood productions.

However, Wu Yusen was able to increase his budget from $5000 million to $7000 million for a period drama filmed in mainland China, and the insurance company was still able to assess the risks.
In the following days, filming of "Black Peony" entered its final sprint.

Wu Chen spent almost all his time in the studio, focusing all his attention on every single frame.

News has been circulating within the industry.

First, Jiang Wenxin's new film passed censorship, claiming to be uncut and authentic. He has already gone to France for post-production, intending to use this film to compete for the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Following closely behind was Anthony Wong's "Lust, Caution," which wrapped up filming in Shanghai and was reportedly in post-production. However, it was undecided which film festival it would be competing in.

The media suddenly realized that the works of several major directors seemed to be released in close succession, because even Wu Chen's "Black Peony" was recently reported to be wrapping up filming before the end of the year.
Are all three films going to try and win Cannes?

Immediately, some journalists began writing articles, taking the lead in promoting this matter.

"Several renowned Chinese directors' recent representative works may clash at Cannes, coinciding with the 60th anniversary celebration of Cannes."

This hype has prompted discussions within the industry.

After all, Wu Chen, Li An, and Jiang Wen are all very famous on their own. If they could compete together, it would definitely be a major event for Chinese-language films.

Far away in France, Jiang Wen couldn't resist making a phone call.

"Director Wu, your film 'Black Peony' is about to wrap up filming these days. Are you going to send it to Cannes?"

Wu Chen thought for a moment and replied, "Filming is indeed wrapping up, but it's hard to say whether it will be in Cannes. We don't know if post-production can be finished."

"Coincidentally, I'm in the same boat. If it's a good opportunity, I'd like to have a chance to meet with Director Wu."

Jiang Wen was very confident. Although the investment was exceeding expectations and the box office was still uncertain, he was a professional when it came to winning awards.

Upon hearing the news, Li An smiled confidently at the media and said, "If I can make it, I hope to meet him in Cannes."

Before we knew it, it was February 13th.

Fan Binbin has been making waves in Berlin these past few days.

Fan Binbin's appearance in four different outfits at the Berlin Film Festival not only drew envy from actresses in the industry, but also prompted Berlin media to take several more photos of her in Chinese style.

The title of "international style" began to circulate among fans.

This series of tactics left the mainland actresses bewildered, yet they seemed to have grasped something.

Meanwhile, "Black Peony" wrapped up filming.

A few days earlier than originally planned, the entire Huairou Film and Television Base was already quietly in operation before dawn.

The thick frost has not yet completely melted, and the distant mountains are still covered with patches of snow, with a biting chill in the air.

The crew's footsteps were unusually quiet, and even the sounds of fiddling with equipment were reduced.

"Make your makeup lighter."

Wu Chen frowned as he looked at Liu Yifei in front of the camera and whispered to the makeup artist, "Make the differences between Shen Yin and Xu Wei even more pronounced, so that the audience won't get confused."

The makeup artist immediately made adjustments.

Twenty minutes later, the lights came on and the machine was turned on.

The footage shows the rebuilt Kunqu Opera Theatre. The stage that collapsed half a year ago has been completely renovated, the curtains are brand new, and the red paint on the stage has been repainted, as if nothing had ever happened.

Outside the window, a cold wind blew gently, lifting a corner of the curtain and casting a swaying shadow.

A new generation of Kunqu Opera actors are rehearsing a new version of "The Peony Pavilion" here.

Backstage, in front of a familiar makeup mirror, rising actress Shen Yin sat in a chair, her hands supporting her chin, looking somewhat timid.

She will make her stage debut tonight, playing the role of Du Liniang.

The dim light in front of the mirror illuminated her slightly youthful face.
"Shen Yin, it's time to go on stage!"

A soft call came from outside the door.

Wu Chen watched as the image of Shen Yin slowly zoomed out on the camera, exhaled slowly, and then said:

"Cut! That's a wrap!"

"."

(End of this chapter)