Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 637 A belly full of bad intentions; suffering in silence
Ning Hao's scenes in the film "The Warmest Thirty Days of My Life" have basically come to an end.

Although it's described as a cameo role, his character, the landlord and down-on-his-luck screenwriter, actually plays a crucial role in the film's structure.

It was because the male protagonist, Shen Shi'an, in order to help this irritable yet kind-hearted landlady and make up for the imperfections of the premiere of his debut play, that he embarked on his first time traveling through time "for someone else".

It was this seemingly insignificant act of kindness that triggered a butterfly effect, causing the night he first met the female protagonist, Lin Zhiyao, to be completely erased.

When he returned to reality, he found that he and the girl he had just fallen in love with were now complete strangers, and they hadn't even exchanged phone numbers.

This plot point marks the first major turning point in the emotional narrative of the entire film;

This was also the beginning of Shen Shi'an's understanding of the heavy price behind his "ability".

"Okay, I'll be going now!"

After finishing his evening filming, Ning Hao planned to fly directly back to Beijing the next morning to oversee the post-production of "The Golden Era".

Before leaving, he couldn't help but lower his voice and ask, "By the way, any news about 'No Man's Land'?"

Ning Hao still cares about this work.

"Not yet, no rush, let's wait for news from Chairman Han and the others."

The filming of the movie in Shanghai was almost entirely transparent.

After all, Wu Chen and Liu Yifei are a very eye-catching couple. Whether they appear in an office building in Lujiazui or in some unknown old alley, passersby or paparazzi will always take photos and upload them to the internet.

In particular, Liu Yifei's looks in the film have sparked heated discussions among many fans.

A candid photo of her wearing black-rimmed glasses and exuding a slightly artsy vibe went viral on Weibo.

"As expected of my boyfriend's movie, the costumes are amazing, they look so good!"

"These glasses instantly give me an artsy vibe! It's like a completely different style from before, I can't wait!"

"It's great, I love watching it! Hurry up, when is it going to be released? I'm getting sick of all these recent domestic blockbusters."

"You're absolutely right! I went to see 'Guan Yu' yesterday, and I'd like to give everyone a friendly warning: don't watch it! That stuff is even more disgusting than 'The Warring States'!"

If we were to name the two most anticipated films in the Chinese-language film market in April, it would undoubtedly be "The Warring States" and "Guan Yun Chang," which were released one after the other.

Both films boasted an investment of 1.5 million yuan and were promoted as epic blockbusters.

However, both films received equally terrible reviews.

As soon as "Guan Yun Chang" was released, not only did its box office on the first day fall below that of "The Warring States", but the film itself was also full of flaws.

Donnie Yen's height of 1.7 meters was already difficult to pull off when he played Guan Yu, who was nine feet tall. Add to that the ridiculously short Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and countless viewers burst out laughing in the theater.

Especially compared to Jiang Wen, Donnie Yen's portrayal of Guan Yu was almost completely overshadowed throughout the entire performance.

Jiang Wen's portrayal of Cao Cao is domineering, cunning, and fond of talent; every gesture he makes is a performance, drawing almost all the attention in the film.

The internet was filled with ridicule and mockery.

"Jiang Wen's performance as the main character is really good. I just don't know what the director was thinking, giving the supporting character Guan Yu so much screen time. What's going on?!"

"Yes, yes! I strongly suggest making a director's cut, cutting out all of Guan Yu's scenes, and just showing Cao Cao's scenes!"

"You people are really robbing bamboo shoots! You've taken all the bamboo shoots on the mountain!"

Historically, bad movies have often produced amazing jokes.

Seeing his portrayal of Guan Yu, the "Martial Saint," become a complete internet laughingstock and even dubbed the "most pathetic Guan Yu in history," Donnie Yen's mentality completely collapsed.

In his haste, he began to secretly complain about Jiang Wen during an interview with Hong Kong media.

"His aura is so strong, so strong that... you can't act with him."

His lines often differed from the script, forcing you to follow his rhythm, which made it difficult for the actor to perform.

These words, coupled with exaggerated reports by Hong Kong media, immediately caused an uproar.

What kind of temper does Jiang Wen have?
Originally, the entire film crew planned to come to Shanghai together to promote the movie.

As soon as the plane landed, Jiang Wen immediately parted ways with the group without saying goodbye. He left with a dark face, clearly showing his displeasure.

Now, director Alan Mak, Felix Chong, and lead actor Donnie Yen were all a bit bewildered.

But the media didn't care about any of that. They hadn't managed to catch Jiang Wen, but there was still a large group of people there! The reporters immediately swarmed forward, pointing their microphones and cameras at them.

"Director Mai, why didn't Director Jiang Wen travel with the crew? Is it because, as rumored, he has a conflict with the crew?"

"Brother Zidan, you said in Hong Kong before that it was difficult to act with Director Jiang Wen. Were you implying that Director Jiang Wen is a 'tyrant on set'?"

"Director Zhuang, did Director Jiang Wen's last-minute changes to the script cause any problems during the filming?"

Zhen Zidan's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he didn't say a word.

Finally, it was Alan Mak who stepped forward, wearing a professional smile, and said with a laugh: "Nothing of the sort, absolutely nothing of the sort, it's all pure fabrication."

Director Jiang Wen probably took advantage of a break during his trip to Shanghai to visit Director Wu Chen on set. As everyone knows, the two have a very good relationship. Our crew is very harmonious; there are no conflicts whatsoever.

Meanwhile, Wu Chen's film crew was at the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art, filming a scene where Shen Shi'an and his sister (played by Li Qin) were viewing an art exhibition and waiting to "accidentally" meet Lin Zhiyao.

"Hahahaha..." Wu Chen looked at the news on his phone, pointed at Jiang Wen who had just walked in, and mocked him mercilessly, "What happened to 'making money standing up'? It looks to me like you're about to kneel down this time?"

"Damn it, don't even mention it! This time I'm really going to have to kneel down to make money!"

Jiang Wen plopped down in a chair, cursing loudly enough to be heard throughout the entire art gallery.

"He couldn't grasp Guan Yu's expression and state himself, so is it my fault?"
Every time he acts opposite me, he has to do over ten takes! With those mediocre skills, he thinks he can play a martial arts master?

Because Jiang Wen didn't lower his voice at all, many staff members on set, besides Wu Chen and Liu Yifei, heard it and looked at him with surprise.

Everyone knows who Jiang Wen was implying with those words.

"Brother, could you please speak a little more quietly..." Wu Chen said helplessly, as the loudspeaker was practically loud enough for the whole audience to hear.

"Why are you being so quiet?" Jiang Wen didn't care at all.

"Damn it, you did this on purpose..."

Wu Chen reacted instantly, his eyes darted around, and an idea popped into his head.

He said a few words in a low voice.

"Huh? Go back and promote it with them?" Jiang Wen asked, looking puzzled.

Liu Yifei also curiously came over. She knew her boyfriend's personality all too well; this was definitely a good idea.

After hearing this, Jiang Wen was stunned for a long time. Then he took a deep breath, pointed at Wu Chen, and finally managed to say, "Damn, you're really full of bad ideas!"

"Can't you speak properly! Can't you speak properly!"

Wu Chen was unhappy about it.

Jiang Wen ignored him and chuckled.

……

Jiang Wen's words of cursing Zhen Zidan for "not being able to act" on Wu Chen's set quickly spread.

After all, there were many people and eyes on the set, and Wu Chen didn't issue any gag order.

The media coverage was astonishingly fast.

[Exclusive Scoop: Jiang Wen visits Wu Chen on set and angrily berates an actor for "not being able to act"!]

Internal strife escalates within the "Guan Yun Chang" production team! Jiang Wen's absence from promotional activities raises suspicions of a complete falling out with Donnie Yen!

[Zhen Zidan subtly implied that Jiang Wen was a "tyrant on set," to which Jiang Wen retorted: He himself couldn't handle the role!]

The faces of Donnie Yen, Alan Mak, Felix Chong, and others who were resting in the hotel were all grim after seeing these news reports.

Especially Zhen Zidan, whose face was as black as charcoal.

Alan Mak and Felix Chong exchanged a glance, unsure of what to say.

Who told you to be so brainless, saying whatever comes to mind? Everyone in the industry knows what kind of person Jiang Wen is. Aren't you just offering yourself up for him to slap?
However, to their surprise, just when they thought Jiang Wen would definitely be absent from the afternoon's promotional event, the staff knocked on the door.

"Director Mai, Director Zhuang, Director Jiang Wen is back..."

The two looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

The door opened, and Jiang Wen walked in with a beaming smile, as if none of the previous unpleasantness had ever happened.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere in the room, he took the initiative to speak, looking completely bewildered:

"Hey, what's going on with all those news articles online?"

When did I say those things? I didn't say them.

Zhen Zidan's expression was more distressed than if he had swallowed a fly, as if he had lost his parents. He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Director Jiang... Director Jiang, those rumors outside are absolutely false... I... I didn't mean it that way..."

"I knew it!" Jiang Wen slapped his thigh and immediately started cursing again.

"These media outlets these days have absolutely no professional ethics! They'll make up any lie just to grab attention!"

"Zidan, don't take it to heart. We still need to work together to promote the movie!"

Seeing this scene, Alan Mak and Felix Chong were at a loss for words.

Now that Jiang Wen has returned so "generously," Zhen Zidan has no choice but to swallow this bitter pill...

(End of this chapter)