Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 413 Birdman and 1917
That afternoon, news of the press conference for the start of filming of "The Founding of a Republic" spread like wildfire, dominating the front pages of major portals and various entertainment forums.

"Han Sanping returns to the director's chair after 18 years," "China Film Group leads the cast, bringing together directors from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong," "An unprecedented all-star lineup will recreate the founding of the People's Republic of China."

"."

News about "The Founding of a Republic" was constant throughout the day.

Meanwhile, news of the Berlin premiere of "Mei Lanfang" also came back, but the news was quiet and somewhat subdued.

Some media outlets even claimed that "Mei Lanfang" was inferior to "Empire of Silver," a Chinese-language film that was invited to participate in the "Special Screening" section.

The latter at least earned real money from overseas copyrights and screening tickets, while "Mei Lanfang" is currently highly likely to lose money while gaining publicity.

Despite the courtesy Chen Kaige received, the media and film critics were not impressed, as were the copyright holders.
Wu Chenci was alone at home.

Liu Yifei has had a lot of engagements lately, especially after "Bad Genius," which has made her schedule even busier.

Cover shoots and inside pages for fashion magazines such as Vogue, ELLE, and Harper's Bazaar; print magazine interviews; portal feature articles; and Chanel's new product launches, etc.
This gave Wu Chen a chance to calm down and think about his graduation project.

When it comes to pseudo-one-shot films, two movies will definitely be indispensable in the future: Iñárritu's "Birdman" and Sam Mendes' "1917".

These two films are considered among the most classic examples in film and television textbooks and film school teaching cases in many countries, and can also be said to be among the most representative and valuable photographic models since the beginning of the 21st century.

The two films are not only "technical wonders" but also "an innovative practice of cinematic language".

Wu Chen believes that both films are suitable for adaptation into scripts with a domestic background.

Like "Birdman," it tells the story of a once-glorious commercial hero actor who fights his way back to life on the art stage.

This film is actually a satire of Hollywood's commercialization.

There have actually been such cases in Eastern Hollywood.
"1917" is set against the backdrop of World War I and tells the story of two British soldiers who, in order to save 1600 comrades, braved danger and death to deliver a message, fulfilling their mission.
Seeing the big picture in small things
As for crossing life and death to fulfill one's mission, during the War of Resistance Against Japan, countless messengers and couriers braved gunfire and danger to deliver intelligence when communications were cut off.
Although some of these stories are not recorded in mainstream official historical records, he had heard many of them from older generations when he was young, about messengers on the battlefield:
They walked dozens of miles in the dark, not daring to knock on doors in villages for fear of revealing their location; wrapped in cotton-padded coats, they walked backwards through the snow, leaving their footprints in reverse, leading back to enemy-occupied territory.
Wu Chen wasn't very interested in filming "Birdman" and "1917," but he was extremely interested in adapting them.

He thought for a long time, then spoke softly:

"Alright, let's start with 'Birdman'."

As Wu Chen was writing the script, he looked at his story outline and felt something was off. For some reason, he felt that if "Birdman" were modified, it would be exceptionally suitable for an actor to play the role.
As dusk fell, the light outside gradually faded, and the setting sun dyed the entire mountaintop orange-red.

Dongdong and Xixi were very excited and ran out happily.

Upon hearing the sound of the villa door opening and the roar of a car engine, Wu Chen put down the story outline in his hand and went downstairs as well.

Hehe, did you miss me?

Liu Yifei happily hugged Wu Chen, nestled into his arms, and smiled sweetly.

"It can't be that bad, you were here this morning."

"Hmph, you haven't missed me as much as 'Dongdong' and 'Xixi'." Liu Yifei pretended to be angry and turned her head away, but her eyes were full of laughter.

"By the way, let's go to Sister Na's house tomorrow and buy some things," Liu Yifei suggested.

Xing Aina is pregnant; it was discovered before the Lunar New Year.

"okay."

After dinner, it was already late.

The study was brightly lit, with several pages of drafts spread out on the desk, the keyboard clicking crisply and rapidly, and an unnamed script document displayed on the monitor.

The room was so quiet that the only sounds were the ticking of the clock and the occasional click of the mouse.

Liu Yifei, wrapped in a loungewear sweater and holding a cup of hot milk, quietly walked in.

She saw Wu Chen sitting in front of the computer, his gaze focused, and asked softly, "Did you write the script today?"

"Ah."

Liu Yifei tilted her head and sat down curiously next to him: "I've come to see what you've written."

She leaned over to look at the content on the screen, but after reading only a few lines, she slowly stopped, her expression becoming somewhat subtle.

"Your outline, if modified, seems somewhat similar."

"What does it look like?" Wu Chen couldn't help but ask.

“Stephen Chow.” Liu Yifei’s eyes widened. This script seemed perfectly suited for Stephen Chow.

Because Wu Chen's screen displayed a story synopsis:

A once-glorious commercial actor, he rose to fame more than a decade ago through "IP" and became a visual specimen in the memories of a generation.

However, as times changed, he gradually faded from popularity.
He always lived within his "persona," wanting to break free yet fearing the loss of it.

So he decided to take on a new challenge on the big screen (or stage), writing, directing, and starring in a film in an attempt to revive his career.
"Junior brother, if you revise this script, it'll really sound like Director Zhou's work. And the script has a really strong ironic tone."

"Yeah, I felt that way too," Wu Chen said with a wry smile. "I don't even want to write anymore."

"Why?" "Because he can't act in other people's plays anymore." Wu Chen was a little troubled.

In fact, Stephen Chow will never act again after "CJ7," not even in films he directs himself, let alone films directed by others.

Liu Yifei paused for two seconds, then said softly, "Junior brother, why don't you try revising it? This story is really good."

Wu Chen stared at the screen for a long time before finally nodding: "Alright, let's try changing it."

He sat up straight again and began to quickly revise the story outline.

An actor who was once very popular and famous for his "comedy" roles, whose portrayal of the character Supreme Treasure is known to everyone, has now lost his glory.

As times changed, he faded from the screen, becoming withdrawn and eccentric, maintaining his "presence" only through investing and directing.
He always lived in "that persona," wanting to break free yet fearing to lose it; this character followed him like a shadow.

So he decided to write, direct, and act in a successful artistic work to regain acceptance from the mainstream art scene.
"Then what is this work of art?" Liu Yifei couldn't help but ask, looking at the movie "A Chinese Odyssey" in front of her.

"What do you think of calling it 'Shaolin Soccer'?"

Wu Chen smiled slightly.

"Isn't that the opposite?" Liu Yifei asked, puzzled.

Why are the positions of "A Chinese Odyssey" and "Shaolin Soccer" reversed?

"It should be the other way around."

"."

The next day, at Ning Hao's home.

Liu Yifei sat on the sofa by the window, holding a peeler in her hand, quickly and subtly processing a fresh apple.

Her gaze kept falling on Xing Ai's round belly, her eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.

"Xixi, what are you doing?" Xing Aina asked with a smile as she flipped through a pregnancy handbook, feeling Liu Yifei's gaze was too intense.

"I was just curious," Liu Yifei said with a shy smile, handing over the peeled apple.

"Ha ha."

Xing Aina couldn't help but smile, then gently touched her belly, a soft and proud smile on her face: "You'll understand when you and Director Wu have a child."

"It can't be that fast."

A blush quickly spread across Liu Yifei's face.

They were speaking softly on one side, but suddenly a thunderous voice came from the living room on the other.

"Your story is so ironic! How could I change the story? It feels like Stephen Chow's story; he's perfect for it!"

Xing Aina was startled and frowned, calling out towards the living room, "What are you shouting about?"

Ning Hao's voice immediately dropped to a much lower level.

Liu Yifei smiled and turned to explain, "Wu Chen was probably talking to Director Ning about his script."

Xing Aina was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

In the living room, Ning Hao sat cross-legged on the carpet, his head resting on his hands. "The irony in the placement of your two movies is too strong, but using real names might not be appropriate."

"These are minor issues; the key point isn't here," Wu Chen shook his head.

Ning Hao immediately understood.

You think Stephen Chow couldn't possibly act it right, right?

"Well, the chances of him acting are very low. Besides, I plan to shoot this in a pseudo one-shot format, so he'll practically be immersed in the whole thing. He's probably a little afraid of ruining the 'Stephen Chow' character, so I'm creating one for him."

"That's true."

Ning Hao nodded. He was well aware of Wu Chen's concerns. The possibility of him appearing in the film was indeed very small. Stephen Chow hadn't directed another film in many years.
Just as he was about to say something more, he suddenly sat up straight as if he had been slapped.

"Wait a minute, what did you just say? You're going to film this story as a pseudo-one-shot film? Part of it or the whole movie?"

"The whole movie!"

Ning Hao opened his mouth, but only managed to utter, "Are you trying to fly to the heavens?"

"Get lost, you're the one who's got the guts to go to heaven," Wu Chen retorted with a laugh.

"Are you crazy, going this far?" Ning Hao shook his head violently, then looked at Wu Chen, "By the way, what's the ending of your story? Was the protagonist eventually reintegrated into the mainstream art scene?"

"you guess."

"."

(End of this chapter)