Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 88 Conception, one teaches you Confucianism and the other teaches you gentleness
Mu Deyuan seemed to be frozen at this moment.

Wu Chen's sudden turn of events left him stunned. He couldn't help but sway.

"Can you say that again!"

Wu Chen chuckled: "Teacher, I want to find a Kunqu Opera master."

"Kunqu Opera? Why?"

Mu Deyuan was puzzled.

Wu Chen nodded, his eyes showing unprecedented determination:
“When I was writing Black Swan, I happened to see that my senior Zhang Yimou’s film House of Flying Daggers failed in his Oscar bid.

I was thinking last night whether "House of Flying Daggers" really lacks that bit of humanistic care, or whether it would be useless even if it were added.

I thought about it for a long time and came up with Li An's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Finally I came to a conclusion, although I don’t know if it is correct, but I think kung fu, aesthetics, martial arts, these elements seem to have been exhausted by Hollywood.

Even Brother Zhang Yi’s films, no matter how exquisite they are, still find it difficult to break these stereotypes.

This is confinement and also shackles.

Why do we have to follow their path?"

Speaking of this, Wu Chen's eyes lit up, "So I wanted to use the aesthetics of Kunqu Opera to present this movie.

Throughout China's 5,000-year history, opera has never been inferior to ballet.

I remember when I was a child, the Kunqu opera and Cantonese opera were performed on the village stage. The sleeves were waved, the gongs and drums sounded, and the whole audience cheered.

It's something that's in my bones, as gentle as a mountain stream, delicate enough to evoke the soul, and what's missing from ballet?"

Mu Deyuan was shocked and his heart was churning.

His hand holding the enamel cup froze in mid-air, and the light in his eyes changed from surprise to deep thought, as if a crack had been created by Wu Chen's words.

“Kunqu Opera.”

Mu Deyuan murmured and repeated, as if trying to chew out different meanings from the word.

It has to be said that the tragic temperament of Kunqu Opera itself naturally fits perfectly with the theme of "Black Swan".

After a moment's silence, Mu Deyuan slowly said, "Which Kunqu opera did you choose to fit into this framework?"

"The Peony Pavilion!"

Wu Chen smiled, his tone calm, but there was a glimmer of determination in his eyes:
“Teacher, I have always felt that the most important thing about art is expression.

Kunqu Opera is the essence of our culture, but over the years, its presentation has always remained on the stage, and the audience has been decreasing.

Is it because it cannot enter the public's aesthetic system, or is it that we have not been able to find a truly suitable carrier for it?"

At this point, Wu Chen's mouth curled up slightly: "Kunqu Opera emphasizes 'soul separation' and 'dreams'.

In "The Peony Pavilion", Du Liniang fell in love with Liu Mengmei in her dream and was resurrected after her death because of love.

This interweaving of life and death, reality and illusion, is exactly the same as Nina’s mental state in Black Swan.”

Wu Chen continued:

"In the conception of Black Peony, the protagonist is an actress named Xu Wei from the Jinghua Kunqu Opera Troupe.

Born into a traditional opera family, she is good at orthodox "Guimendan" performances, but lacks the wildness and passion for breakthroughs.

When casting for the troupe's new version of "The Peony Pavilion," the troupe leader hoped to choose an actor who could portray the "emotional and emotional" side of Du Liniang, but Xu Wei's performance was always considered too restrained and not "crazy" enough.

She gradually came under psychological pressure and was pushed to the brink of collapse by factors such as her own ambition, her mother's control, and the temptation of her competitors.

Xu Wei's mother is a woman from a traditional opera family and a Kunqu opera actor. She strictly controls Xu Wei's growth, fearing that she will fall into the wrong path of "dissoluteness".

She didn't want Xu Wei to challenge a bold role like Du Liniang, and even hoped that she would always maintain her "pure as jade" image.

Her control and coercion are important factors in the protagonist's psychological breakdown.

Xu Wei's rival, Liu Qing, is an actress with a bolder style and more flamboyant personality, who excels at Huadan or more bohemian roles.

Her acting style is not as formal as Xu Wei's, but more "wild" and "emotionally impactful."

Wu Chen slowly told the general story and setting of "Black Peony" that he had conceived, and Mu Deyuan nodded continuously as he listened.

If the story of "Black Swan" disguised as a Western ballet gave him surprises, then "Black Peony" with the oriental aesthetics of Kunqu Opera made him feel an unprecedented excitement.

Thinking of this, Mu Deyuan picked up the phone and called Zhang Huijun.

"Lao Zhang, are you in the office? You have a meeting. What time will it end? Wu Chen and I will go together."

"Director Zhang won't be free until ten o'clock." Mu Deyuan said slowly after hanging up the phone, "Your script and concept are excellent. If you want to study Kunqu Opera, you must find the best teacher.

Teacher Cai Zhengren, a famous contemporary Kunqu opera artist, was once the head of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe and a leading figure in Kunqu opera performance. His best work is Liu Mengmei in The Peony Pavilion.

A few years ago, he gave a lecture on Kunqu Opera aesthetics at the Beijing Film Academy. Unfortunately, I don't have his contact information, but Dean Zhang has it, so I have to ask him to come forward."

"Can it be done?"

Wu Chen's eyes lit up. This was a big shot who enjoyed subsidies. Could he really hire him?

"You won't know if it succeeds until you try. What's the big deal about failure? You can't be afraid of failure. Success will be very beneficial to your film."

Mu Deyuan smiled and said, "Sit down. I think you haven't rested yet. Excitement can't hide the bloodshot in your eyes. You still have some time, take a rest here."

"Hey!" Wu Chen stood up and clapped his hands. "I'll have a full cup of coffee to perk myself up, and then go back and have a nap later."

"But you need to brush up on your knowledge of Kunqu Opera beforehand, so you don't get clueless when asked questions. It's a pity that the Central Academy of Drama doesn't know anything about it."

Mu Deyuan paused, as if something occurred to him:
"I remember Chang Li and Liu Xinglin had designed the stage for the Kunqu opera The Peony Pavilion. Although they are not professional teachers of Kunqu opera, it's no problem to ask for their advice.

If I could go to the National Theatre, that would be even better. I'll see later."

He was also a little helpless. He had limitations in his connections and could only rely on Zhang Huijun, who was above him.

At 9:55, the two got up and went to the dean's office.

Zhang Huijun finished the meeting and walked over with a thermos cup in hand. He smiled gently and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Take a look at this script first!" Mu Deyuan handed over "Black Swan" with a smile. "It's Wu Chen's new script, and it's another thriller."

When Zhang Huijun saw the word "black", he immediately thought of Wu Chen's first work: "The Dark Side".

But he was still a little confused. Should I show him the new script?

Do we have to cooperate with the school?

This is certainly a good thing, but theoretically it shouldn't be possible, as Wu Chen is not short of money.

Zhang Huijun opened the script with doubts. For a moment, the office was silent, with only the rustling sound of turning pages.

He squinted his eyes and scanned a few lines, his brows gradually furrowed, and the light in his eyes changed from confusion to surprise, and then to an unconcealable shock.

He raised his head and looked at Wu Chen, with an incredible light in his eyes.

Mu Deyuan looked at this scene with great satisfaction.

Zhang Huijun just glanced at him and the latter immediately restrained his expression.

Zhang Huijun paused, his eyes narrowed, "Wu Chen, are you planning to ask me for help in introducing you to a ballet master?"

Before Wu Chen could speak, Mu Deyuan waved his hand cheerfully: "No, he wants a Kunqu opera master."

Zhang Huijun was stunned, staring at Mu Deyuan, then at Wu Chen, as if his mind was stunned by these words:
"Master of Kunqu Opera? What does this have to do with Kunqu Opera?"

Mu Deyuan leaned back in his chair, smiling a bit complacently: "Old Zhang, don't be so anxious, listen to what Wu Chen has to say."

Wu Chen chuckled softly, stood up and moved his chair forward, and told the story in a calm tone that was filled with an unconcealable warmth.

Zhang Huijun almost lost his grip on the cup, and the tea rippled, splashing two drops onto the table.

He narrowed his eyes and stared at Wu Chen as if he was looking at a true genius.

The scenes of "The Peony Pavilion" flashed through my mind - Du Liniang's infatuation and nightmare, her sleeves flying like clouds, her singing voice as low and plaintive as a complaint, the beauty of the interweaving of reality and illusion, the structure of a play within a play, and the final similarity to the madness of "Black Swan"!

Coming back to his senses, he took a deep breath, picked up the cup and took a sip of tea to suppress the waves in his heart.

If Wu Chen's approach really works, Chinese-language films will probably have to start a new chapter.

Finally someone was as shocked as I was.

Mu Deyuan laughed inwardly, but his facial expression remained unchanged.

Zhang Huijun's attention wasn't on Mu Deyuan at all at this moment. He put down his cup and asked, "Wu Chen, graduate student, what do you think?"

"what?"

Wu Chen was stunned. The turn of events was so fast that his brain couldn't keep up.

Mu Deyuan, like a hawk protecting its child, interrupted and said, "Wu Chen's graduate student must be with me."

"I know. I don't teach students."

Zhang Huijun was speechless. It sounded like he was going to snatch people away. The entire academy belonged to him.

"I'll just hang up the teacher and it'll be done."

Seeing that Wu Chen agreed, Zhang Huijun was in a good mood. After all, it would be fine as long as he could get into the photography department.

By this calculation, Wu Chen will have to stay in school for at least four or five years.

Mu Deyuan also grinned, but a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

With a disciple like Wu Chen, what standards should he use to accept graduate students and later doctoral students?

In comparison, aren't they all stupid?
Headache!

Zhang Huijun glanced at Mu Deyuan and returned to the main topic: "You're looking for me because of Mr. Cai, right?"

Mu Deyuan nodded and said with a smile: "Yes, Mr. Cai is a master of Kunqu Opera, and his best performance is Liu Mengmei of The Peony Pavilion.

Didn't he give a lecture at the college last time? You have his contact information. I don't have any connections, so I have to rely on you to come forward."

Zhang Huijun shook his head. Wu Wuchen and Mu Deyuan felt their hearts sink, thinking that there was no hope. But he changed the subject:
"Mr. Cai alone may not be enough."

The two of them were stunned.

"Wu Chen, if you want to complete your production of 'Black Peony', you need to consult the Queen of Kunqu Opera, Zhang Jiqing, who once taught Du Liniang in 'The Peony Pavilion' at the Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Theater.

She has the style of Nankun, and is famous for her exquisite, elegant, delicate and freehand Kunqu opera classic aesthetic style.

In fact, both of your scripts follow the structure of a play within a play. If you want the script to have soul, you need to meet both Mr. Cai and Mr. Zhang. One will teach you Confucianism, and the other will teach you gentleness. Only then can "Black Peony" stand up."

"Teacher Zhang Jiqing?"

Wu Chen's eyes lit up. To be honest, he was not as familiar with Kunqu Opera as he was with movies.

Zhang Huijun nodded:
"Well, I'll ask someone to say hello to them. Since you're a junior, I don't think they'll refuse. I'll let you know later.
You have to be prepared these days, don’t just nod your head when you go, learn the real stuff.”

Zhang Huijun paused, looking at Wu Chen with a hint of anticipation in his eyes. "If this film you're working on is successful, it will probably set a new benchmark for Chinese-language films."

Wu Chen chuckled and rubbed his hands. "Director Zhang, thank you for your kind words! I'm going back to the dormitory to catch up on some sleep. I didn't sleep last night, so my mind is a little fuzzy."

"By the way, what are you going to do with Black Swan?"

When Zhang Huijun mentioned this, Mu Deyuan also remembered it.

These are two scripts.

Although the conception of "Black Peony" is currently very amazing, "Black Swan" is definitely not bad either, and it can be said to be an absolutely good script.

"Forehead"

Wu Chen paused and stood at the door in a daze.

"Forget it, you decide for yourself!" Zhang Huijun waved his hand.

The door creaked shut, and Zhang Huijun and Mu Deyuan exchanged a glance. Zhang Huijun sighed, "Others have a hard time finding a good script, but he doesn't even know which one to choose."

Mu Deyuan was happy, picked up the cup and took a sip, the smile in his eyes could not be hidden: "I prefer "Black Peony" more, let's see what he chooses."

(End of this chapter)