Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 414 The Sealed Script
When filming began for "The Founding of a Republic," the production team invited most of the entertainment industry without spending a single penny. When this news got out, Hollywood, which was on the other side of the spectrum, couldn't sit still and began to cast envious glances.

At a press conference for "The Martian" held by China Film Group, David Lyndon of Universal Pictures looked puzzled after discussing the press arrangements for the next two months and how the various parties would cooperate.
"Han, so you really didn't spend a single penny? You managed to invite two hundred celebrities from your country?"

Upon hearing the other party's envious tone, Han Sanping couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth.

During the remote meeting, Ren Zhonglun's fingers were probably lightly tapping the table, producing a faint, crisp tapping sound.

"Well, David, it's not like we didn't spend a penny; we did spend a little money. But as for the payment, a token amount is enough."

Han Sanping's mouth was practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

David Lyndon and Jason Blum were full of praise.

"Ahem, Mr. David, when will the trailer be released?" Ren Zhonglun probably didn't want to hear Han Sanping's boasting anymore, so he changed the subject.

Based on his understanding of Han Sanping, if no one changed the subject, he might have boasted even more.
They're about to blurt out things like, "The pay is just a boxed lunch."

"Oh, I almost forgot, we've finished editing our first global trailer for 'The Martian,' Wu. When can you come over and take a look at a version to confirm the style?"

David Lyndon quickly added.

I'll go there next week.

"."

After the meeting ended, Han Sanping, perhaps having not fully expressed himself earlier, was still talking incessantly with Wu Chen:

"Your idea was great back then, haha, but now there are too many people, and we can't even manage to accommodate them all."
Jackie Chan contacted me yesterday, repeatedly insisting that he absolutely had to be given a role, even a minor one. All we could offer him was a bit part as an interviewing reporter.

Han Sanping couldn't stop smiling; this feeling was too unforgettable.

Wu Chen understood this feeling, but then he suddenly remembered something, paused, and asked, "Chairman Han, didn't Director Stephen Chow specify any particular role for you?"

"Him? You know what, he said he'd come over tomorrow. I reckon he's just planning on making a cameo appearance, sigh."

As Han Sanping walked, he couldn't help but sigh, "I'm still worried about him. His comedic roles are too deeply ingrained in people's minds. I've discussed it with the production team, and we think he might not be suitable for such a serious drama."

"Actually, I have a script here that would be quite suitable for him."

Wu Chen spoke slowly, and for a moment Han Sanping didn't react. After a pause, he looked at Wu Chen and asked, "Who?"

Stephen Chow

In the chairman's office.

The two sat on the sofa.

The aroma of tea fills the air, and the bluish-brown tea soup swirls in the purple clay teapot, with wisps of steam rising from it.
Han Sanping lowered his head, his expression somewhat solemn.

He steadied the tea tray with his left hand and held the teapot with his right, slowly filling two white porcelain teacups, and said slowly, "It won't be easy to invite him."

To be honest, Wu Chen was very excited when he said he wanted to work with Stephen Chow.

Wu Chen and Stephen Chow, what kind of movie will they make together?
He couldn't imagine it, but the entire Chinese-language film industry was bound to be in an uproar.

However, the practical difficulties remain.

I know a bit about Stephen Chow. He's too closed off, aloof, and doesn't fit in with others. He's had problems and conflicts with most of the people and companies he's worked with. The only relatively pleasant collaboration he's had with China Film Group in recent years is with them.

“I can let him make a cameo appearance, or even help direct, without much problem. But a cameo and a lead role are two different things, and that’s something we can’t discuss.”

He had done Stephen Chow a favor, and Stephen Chow obviously wanted to repay the favor, otherwise he wouldn't have made a special trip just to make a cameo appearance.
These days, probably only Han Sanping has that kind of influence.

But saving face is one thing, and these things shouldn't involve one's most fundamental personal matters. He understands this, and he believes Wu Chen understands it too.

"I'll give it a try. If it doesn't work, I have another project planned, and I might have to trouble Chairman Han then. Um, and the August First Film Studio."

"August 1st?" Han Sanping remembered it and didn't ask any further questions at this moment.

Since Wu Chen is going to trouble him, he will explain it clearly when the time is right. However, if he can be related to the August 1st Army, it must be related to mainstream films.

"I'll reserve a meeting room for the two of you tomorrow."

He was most pleased with the collaboration between the two and couldn't wait to produce an agreement for them to sign.

"Okay, thank you, Chairman Han."

Wu Chen smiled, also thinking about what to say to Stephen Chow tomorrow.

Stephen Chow's transition from actor to director and producer is undoubtedly driven by certain reasons, but aside from Chow himself, everyone else can only speculate. However, some insights can be gleaned from his films.

Because Stephen Chow is an auteur director, his films are very personal and private works, which are also his most authentic inner expressions.

Therefore, the male protagonists under his banner have very strong obsessions, which may be for fame and fortune, but more so for ideals;
The male protagonist has a particular fear of intimate relationships with his lover due to certain personality traits (or those related to his childhood).

The male protagonist's unwavering pursuit of his ideals, coupled with his self-doubt, inferiority complex, and fear regarding love and responsibility, creates a powerful contradiction.

The result was that the male protagonist betrayed the female protagonist's love.

Therefore, Supreme Treasure let down Fairy Zixia, Stephenson Chow let down Turkey, Fifth Senior Brother let down Ah Mei, Yin Tianchou let down Liu Piaopiao, Chen Xuanzang let down Miss Duan, and Liu Xuan let down Shanshan.
However, almost every movie includes a fairy tale at the end.

Five hundred years later, the Sunset Warrior and Zixia kiss, Turkey's buck teeth are knocked out by a bullet, Ah Mei suddenly returns, Yin Tianchou's drama becomes a huge hit, and Liu Xuan saves Shanshan.
Perhaps Stephen Chow himself has also begun to be unable to extricate himself from the regret he felt for "Miss Duan" and "Juan'er," and his feelings of loneliness and remorse are growing stronger.
The next day, early in the morning.

News of the Berlin Film Festival's closing ceremony came first.

Director Chen Kaige, who was highly anticipated by domestic media, returned empty-handed.
Meanwhile, in the conference room of China Film Group, Wu Chen and Stephen Chow were sitting opposite each other.

"Director Zhou, did you get the role?" Wu Chen asked casually.

"Chairman Han refused."

Zhou Xingchi smiled and shook his head, then looked up at Wu Chen:
"Director Wu, over the years, many producers have asked me to make a comeback, but I have refused them all. To be honest, I can't tell whether they are interested in 'me' or 'the 'me of the past', and I'm too lazy to tell."

At this point, Stephen Chow paused:
"So I'm very curious, Director Wu, why did you contact me?"
If an ordinary producer approached me, I would think they were just after money, and I hate this kind of 'being consumed'. But Director Wu, I can't understand you.

Regarding box office performance in mainland China, given the current development trend, even if it eventually rivals Hollywood, with Director Wu's current status in Hollywood, making a profitable film shouldn't be difficult. Why bother?

“Maybe it’s because it’s suitable.” Wu Chen wasn’t surprised by Zhou Xingchi’s question. He slowly explained his reasoning while carefully observing Zhou Xingchi.

"When I make movies, I hope the script and the people involved are a perfect match. When I first thought of this script and story, I felt that perhaps only Director Zhou could bring out this essence."

"what type?"

"It's kind of a comedy!"

After Wu Chen finished speaking, he keenly noticed that Zhou Xingchi's expression stiffened slightly for a moment, and there was an instinctive rejection in his eyes.

"Is he worried that if he returns to comedy, the audience will judge him based on his past performance?"

Wu Chen was secretly pondering.

"I'm sorry, Director Wu, I can't act in it." Stephen Chow blurted out almost immediately, then gave a wry smile. "It's not that I'm targeting you, Director Wu. If it weren't for the fact that Han Dong was directing 'The Founding of a Republic,' I wouldn't really want to appear on screen right now. I'd rather be working behind the scenes."

Wu Chen nodded, leaned back in his chair, picked up his water glass, and slowly took a sip: "Director Zhou, aren't you curious about what kind of story led you to seek me out?"

"Appreciate further details."

Stephen Chow answered frankly, but then added, "However, it's really possible that I can't get the role."

Wu Chen smiled and then began to explain.

Stephen Chow listened quietly, his expression unchanged, but his heart was already surging with emotion.

No wonder Wu Chen specifically sought him out; this story is exactly the path he came from!

Even if he were to act, he wouldn't need to play anyone else; playing himself would be enough.

After a long pause, Stephen Chow spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a bitter smile and a hint of melancholy: "Director Wu, it would have been better if you had contacted me a few years earlier."

This meeting has essentially reached a conclusion.

Wu Chen stood up: "It's a pity there are no 'what ifs,' Director Zhou. Don't you really plan to say goodbye to the audience?"
Moreover, I remember someone saying a few years ago that as long as he's still at the Hong Kong Film Awards, you'll never win Best Actor; nonsensical movies are like child's play to you.”

Seeing this, Stephen Chow was the first to extend his hand and shake hands with Wu Chen: "Then let them be."

"Ok."

The two walked towards the door.

Before parting, Stephen Chow thought about the story he had just heard and asked, "Director Wu, what was the final fate of the protagonist in the story?"
Has he finally shed his past labels of 'commercial, entertainment, and selling smiles' and been accepted by the arts and culture circle?

"No. They said his filming was terrible."

"Hahaha"

(End of this chapter)