It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 280 Remembering History, We Must Strive for a Better Future – Press Conference for the Launch of "Nanjing Photo Studio" (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Before we knew it, it was June.

On Children's Day, after visiting the sets of three TV dramas—"Lurking," "My Brother is Called Shunliu," and "Going West"—Lu Rui arrived at the Shanghai Songjiang Chedun Film and Television Base without stopping.

Today, the film "Nanjing Photo Studio," spearheaded by Ruishijie and co-produced by several state-owned enterprises including China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group, will officially begin filming here.

Han Sanping was unable to make it to the scene because the work at China Film Group was too difficult at the beginning of the month.

Ren Zhonglun, on the other hand, had been waiting at the base entrance since early morning. When he saw Lü Rui's car arrive, he immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Chairman Lü, we've been waiting for you! Come with me, let me show you what we've accomplished in the past few months."

"Okay, let me take a look."

Lü Rui did not refuse and agreed with a smile.

The two walked into the filming location side by side.

As soon as Ren Zhonglun entered, he immediately started talking, his tone full of self-praise: "We at Shanghai Film Studio really spared no expense for this film, 'Nanjing Photo Studio'!"

“Look over there.” He pointed to a group of retro-style buildings not far away. “That’s a replica of the old streets of Nanjing during the Republic of China era.”

The bricks, tiles, doors, and windows were all handmade by veteran craftsmen, and even the lettering on the street signs was researched from historical records, all to recreate a sense of historical authenticity…

As he spoke, he led Lü Rui to the prop storeroom.

"The cameras, film, and clothing from the Republican era here are all originals that we borrowed from the archives and then had a factory make 1:1 replicas of them."

"And the art team for the production team, I specially invited them from Hong Kong. They were involved in the set design for 'In the Mood for Love' before, so they can guarantee the visual quality is flawless..."

Lü Rui listened and nodded.

This time, Ren Zhonglun really put his heart into it.

Looking around, the scene setup and prop preparation both exude a meticulous attention to detail.

In fact, compared to Han Sanping's composure and discipline as a state-owned enterprise executive, Ren Zhonglun is more like a shrewd businessman.

He will openly show his efforts and take credit for them, but he also knows how to do things beautifully and in a pleasing way, highlighting his achievements.

This may also be related to Shanghai's business environment.

State-owned enterprises in the capital city tend to be very serious and formal, and they mainly focus on following procedures and rules when doing things.

In contrast, Shanghai has a stronger business atmosphere. Even state-owned enterprise executives like Ren Zhonglun are more flexible and pragmatic, and are very good at doing things in a way that is both compliant and outstanding within the rules.

After making the rounds, Lü Rui smiled and praised, "Chairman Ren, you've put in a lot of effort. These preparations are very thorough. With such a foundation, the filming of 'Nanjing Photo Studio' will definitely go much more smoothly."

Upon hearing this, Ren Zhonglun's smile widened even further:
"This is all I should do. Mr. Lü, you can rest assured that Shanghai Film Group will fully cooperate during the subsequent filming. Whether it is site scheduling or personnel support, we will not let you down."

"OK."

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the venue for the launch press conference.

The place is all set up now, and the red backdrop behind the stage is printed with the words "Happy Start of Filming for 'Nanjing Photo Studio'".

Flower baskets were placed on both sides, and the staff on site were making final preparations in an orderly manner.

The director and lead actors had already arrived and were waiting to go on stage, while the media reporters were still arriving, busy setting up cameras and adjusting equipment...

"Brother Rui, Chairman Ren!"

Shen Ao was the first to greet them with a smile, his voice tinged with excitement.

He has been busy preparing for filming for nearly a month, and now that the movie is finally about to start filming, he can't hide his excitement.

"You've worked hard." Lu Rui patted him on the shoulder. "Preparing for this period of time has not been easy. Take care of your health during the filming and don't overwork yourself."

"It's not hard work, it's not hard work, it's all what I should do."

Shen Ao chuckled, looking quite energetic.

For some reason, he became more and more enthusiastic as he prepared for this project, as if it were made for him.

No matter how much hardship he endured, he did it willingly!

Following closely behind, Huang Xiaoming quickly approached with a humble smile: "Chairman Ren, Director Lü, good morning."

He was dressed casually, his hair was neatly styled, and he seemed to be in good spirits.

Lu Rui glanced at him and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Xiao Ming, you've gotten a tan recently?"

Compared to his fair skin during the audition, Huang Xiaoming's complexion is now much darker, giving him a more rugged look.

"I deliberately tanned myself," Huang Xiaoming explained earnestly. "This time, I'm playing a postman from the Republican era."

Every day, braving wind and rain, I had to run through every street and alley in Nanjing. Being too fair-skinned wouldn't fit the character's image.

That's why I made a point of going outdoors to sunbathe every day and even spent some time experiencing life with a postman, just to get closer to the role..."

Upon hearing this, Lü Rui's eyes immediately showed more approval, and he said seriously, "This is the attitude an actor should have."

Your willingness to proactively change your appearance and experience life for a role is truly commendable. I hope you can continue to maintain this dedication; you're sure to have even greater success in the future.

Huang Xiaoming was overjoyed to receive Lu Rui's approval!

Because this way, there might be opportunities to continue collaborating with Ruishijie in the future, which would undoubtedly be a great boost to his acting career!
However, he remained calm and composed: "Thank you for your recognition, Director Lü. It's what I should do."

Of course, while he was happy, he also secretly made a decision in his heart.

I definitely won't take on such a challenging role in my next project!

To get a tan and fit the image of a postman, he not only spent a lot of time in the sun every day, but also experienced high-intensity physical labor. His hands developed calluses, he lost weight, and he suffered a lot.

So, after this movie is finished filming, I'll try to find a lighter script next time.

For example, urban romance dramas can attract fans without the hassle of this kind of drama.

There's a long road ahead, so there's no need to push yourself too hard on just one project. A balance between work and rest is the key to going further.

Who is this person next to you?

At this moment, Lü Rui's gaze suddenly fell on Huang Xiaoming's side.

There stood a strange girl, slender and looking somewhat reserved, clearly someone who was appearing in such a setting for the first time.

"I almost forgot to introduce you!" Huang Xiaoming quickly stepped aside and pulled the girl in front of him. "This is Li Feier, my girlfriend. We met when we were filming 'The Deer and the Cauldron.' She's here to play a small role and experience life on a movie set."

Li Feier is still a complete newbie in the industry. Facing industry veterans like Lü Rui and Ren Zhonglun, she was so nervous that her palms started to sweat.

At Huang Xiaoming's prompting, she quickly bowed and said, "Hello Director Lü, hello Chairman Ren, please guide me in the future."

"Ah hello."

As Lü Rui nodded in response, the name "Qin Lan" suddenly popped into his mind.
He vaguely remembered that it was either last year or the year before? Huang Xiaoming was still dating Qin Lan.

The two broke up not long ago... so he already has a new girlfriend?
It has to be said that the leader changes girlfriends quite quickly.

It's worth mentioning that the person in front of me has a rather delicate appearance; he doesn't have a big mouth or thick lips, and he looks quite pleasing to the eye.

I just don't know how long this relationship will last.

After all, relationships in the entertainment industry are often fleeting, with gatherings and partings occurring very quickly...

Just then, Shu Chang's voice rang in Lü Rui's ears again: "Director Lü, didn't Qianqian come with you?"

He subconsciously turned his head and saw Shu Chang dressed in a Republic of China-era student uniform, with her hair in braids, looking exactly like a college student.

"No, she's preparing for a new project and doesn't have time to come over."

As Lü Rui explained, his gaze was drawn to a little girl being led by the hand by Shu Chang.

The girl was young, looking to be only ten years old. She was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, and had bright, lively eyes. She didn't seem shy at all.

"And who is this?" Lu Rui pointed at her and asked curiously.

Shu Chang paused for a moment, then introduced her somewhat shyly: "This is my cousin. She just finished filming 'The Legend of Nezha' and came to visit me for a couple of days since she was on vacation."

"Hello, Director! I'm Song Zuer!"

Before Lü Rui could speak, the little girl tilted her head back and greeted him crisply, her tone full of childlike boldness, showing no stage fright whatsoever.

"Hello." Lu Rui didn't pay much attention to her, but looked at Shu Chang and reminded her, "There are a lot of people and equipment on the film set, so you have to be careful with the child and don't let her run around."

"I know Director Lü. I sent her back to the capital this afternoon. It won't delay the filming."

Shu Chang nodded quickly, tugged at Song Zuer's hand, and gestured for her not to be too naughty.

Lu Rui glanced at the little girl again and shook his head inwardly.

She does look quite pretty and well-behaved, but... you can never judge a book by its cover!
Apart from Li Feier and Song Zuer, two complete strangers who suddenly appeared, Lü Rui knew all the other main cast members.

Tian Yu, Wang Jinsong, Mei Ting, Wang Yuwen, Huang Haibo, Yano Koji...

Lu Rui shook hands with each of them and greeted them, exchanging a few simple pleasantries.

Soon, the auspicious time for starting up arrived.

However, unlike the lively opening ceremonies of other film and television productions, "Nanjing Photo Studio" included a solemn and dignified segment: paying tribute to the martyrs!

An incense table had already been set up in the center of the stage, with burning sandalwood incense emitting wisps of smoke.

All the actors and crew members stepped forward one by one, accepted the incense with both hands, and walked solemnly to the incense table.

Lü Rui, Ren Zhonglun, Shen Ao, and the representative arranged by Xiying walked at the front, holding incense and candles, bowing slightly, and kowtowing to the memorial tablet.

This bow is to commemorate the more than 300,000 souls who perished under the swords of the Japanese invaders during the Nanjing Massacre!

This bow is to remember that unforgettable and tragic history!

The scene was completely silent, without any noise, even the sound of the wind seemed to be deliberately suppressed.

The reporters put down their microphones and silently raised their cameras, faithfully recording the scene before them.

The smiles of the past were gone from everyone's faces; only awe for that tragic history and remembrance for the victims remained.

Only after the worship ceremony ended, and everyone took turns inserting incense and candles into the incense burner, did a faint noise finally appear at the scene.

Lü Rui was the first to step onto the podium, take the microphone, and speak in a calm and firm voice:
"As the producer and executive producer of this film, I must make it clear to everyone that the inspiration for 'Nanjing Photo Studio' comes from that real historical event."

The core purpose of making this film is to expose the heinous crimes committed by the Japanese invaders during the Nanjing Massacre, so that more people will remember that history and those innocent souls who perished…

Without any unnecessary pleasantries, he went straight to the heart of the film from the moment he opened his mouth.

The scene fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on him.

After he finished speaking, Shen Ao took the microphone and said in a somewhat heavy tone:
"The reason I wanted to make this film is that when I was researching historical materials, I found that many people only know about the horror of the Nanjing Massacre, but they don't know that during those dark days, there were many ordinary people who resisted in their own ways."

They might be photographers, recording the truth with film; or they might be postmen, risking their lives to deliver messages...

We hope to use the seemingly insignificant detail of a 'photo studio' to reveal the little-known resilience and struggle within that period of history.

Following that, Ren Zhonglun took the stage and elevated the film's message to another level:
"The reason why Shanghai Film Group fully supports this film is not only because of its artistic value, but also because of its social significance."

We hope that through this film, we can convey the theme of "remembering history and striving for self-improvement", inspire more people to think about history, and build social consensus.

Everyone must remember that the victory in the 14-year War of Resistance against Japan did not come out of thin air; it was won by the united efforts and unwavering determination of millions of Chinese people!

Finally, the representative from Xi'an Film Studio stepped onto the stage, even more stubborn, and spoke with even more directness and force:

"Many films on the same subject in the past have focused on hot war scenes and shown the cruelty of war. While this is important, they have rarely accurately exposed the cultural plunder and manipulation of public opinion behind the war."

The invaders not only slaughtered our compatriots with knives and guns, but also tried to distort history with public opinion and erode our spirit with culture.

This film, *Nanjing Photo Studio*, aims to fill this gap and let everyone see the true face of the invaders!

The four speakers' speeches progressed step by step, from historical truth to the original intention of the creation, and then to the social significance and unique perspective. Every sentence carried a heavy weight, leaving the audience stunned.

The reporters, who had prepared their questions, were suddenly at a loss for words.

Because of its concept and scope, it has long surpassed ordinary film and television projects, causing them to subconsciously put aside their gossipy thoughts and develop a greater sense of awe.

In fact, another film on the same subject, "Nanjing! Nanjing!", also held its launch press conference today.

In contrast to Lu Chuan's recent frequent hype about gossip such as "lead actor Chen Kun's secret marriage and child, whose son is already 5 years old," the solemnity and gravitas of "Nanjing Photo Studio" stand in stark contrast!
Even when the actors went on stage later to talk about their roles, they maintained a serious attitude.

Koji Yano, in particular, a Japanese actor, stated in a somber tone: "I hope that through this film, more Japanese viewers can understand the true history and confront the crimes of the past."

These words finally caused a stir at the scene.

No, buddy?
You're not planning to go back to Japan in your lifetime, are you?
Many people looked at him in shock, clearly not expecting him to say such a thing.

However, Koji Yano didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said.

He is a person who faces history squarely; otherwise, he wouldn't have been playing villains all the time in China.

Or rather, he was actually a "traitor to the Japanese!"

This is true for most of the other Japanese actors in the film as well.

Some of them are mainly here to make a living, since the Japanese entertainment industry is just too lucrative.

Once you get here, as long as you speak fluent Japanese, there are opportunities to act everywhere, to the point that many people have almost been brainwashed.

If we were to actually fight them in the future, there would be no shortage of people willing to lead the way.

For example, they are very skilled at lines like "Hongjun asked me to pass on a message to you."

In Lü Rui's view, a showdown between the two sides was inevitable in the future.

After all, Japan is a place where earthquakes and tsunamis happen every day, and there's also a large volcano that could erupt at any time.

Based on this, they will definitely launch an invasion in the future, because it is their only way to survive.

And when that time comes, it may be the time to take revenge!
...

There's no gossip or hype, no lighthearted banter, only reverence for history and a serious approach to creation!
This opening ceremony was less a launch of a film and more a commemoration and tribute to history.

The film "Nanjing Photo Studio" was destined to carry a different kind of weight from the very beginning.

Most of the topics the reporters had prepared for a long time were not used.

In particular, they kept all the issues concerning public opinion to themselves.

After the press conference, as is customary, the staff prepared to distribute envelopes containing red envelopes to the media reporters present, but to their surprise, they were met with a unanimous refusal.

"We can't accept this red envelope!"

A veteran entertainment reporter waved his hand first, speaking solemnly, "This film is to commemorate the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. If we were to write a positive review after receiving a bribe, we would feel truly guilty and would be letting down those tragically deceased ancestors. Please believe us, our subsequent reports will definitely be objective..."

The other reporters nodded in agreement.

In the end, not a single reporter accepted a bribe.

With reverence for history, everyone packed up their equipment and quickly left the scene.

This is absolutely rare in the entertainment industry!
That afternoon, news about the start of filming for "Nanjing Photo Studio" spread across various platforms, with many headlines striking a chord with the public:
"The opening ceremony of the film 'Nanjing Photo Studio' was a solemn tribute to the victims of the tragedy. The main creators vowed to expose the crimes of the Japanese army and to always remember history!"

"A film with a historical theme that earns the respect of the industry is a truly praiseworthy realistic film!"

“Lü Rui emphasized that ‘Nanjing Photo Studio’ mainly focuses on the civilian resistance during the massacre, aiming to fill the narrative gap of cultural plunder…”

After seeing the report, netizens left numerous comments in the comment section, their words filled with anticipation for the film and remembrance of history:

"After reading the report on the opening ceremony, I felt a lump in my throat. Nowadays, too many movies only think about hyping up gossip. It's rare to find one that is willing to calm down and tell history and commemorate the martyrs. I hope this movie can be well made, and I will definitely go to the cinema to support it."

"I hope the film can restore the true history and let more young people know the truth about the Nanjing Massacre."

"I was worried that similar films would crowd together to generate hype, but now I see that the concept of 'Nanjing Photo Studio' is completely different. It focuses on cultural plunder and manipulation of public opinion, and this angle is very important!"

The Japanese army not only killed people back then, but also tried to rewrite history. This movie aims to expose all of this. I strongly support it!

Looking around, whether it's mainstream or entertainment media reports, or netizens' comments, there's no exaggerated praise, only reverence for history and sincere anticipation for the film.

Jiang Wen further spoke out, emphasizing: "I believe that 'Nanjing Photo Studio' has transcended the scope of ordinary film and television works. It is a carrier of historical memory and a transmission of national spirit. It is even better than 'Devils on the Doorstep'..."

Clearly, for him, this film fully embodies his thoughts and spirit.

The Japanese devils were invaders!
His statement was widely reprinted by major official media outlets.

Unfortunately, "Devils on the Doorstep" is a banned film, so it can't be shown in theaters or even on video platforms.

At the same time, Lu Chuan, who was on the set of "Nanjing! Nanjing!", was completely dumbfounded.

Seeing that the core argument of "Nanjing Photo Studio" was receiving unanimous praise from the entire internet and mainstream media, he suddenly realized that his project was probably going to fail!
Because the two are presented in completely different ways.

"Nanjing Photo Studio" follows the right path of "remembering history and passing on the spirit," with lofty ideals and in line with mainstream values.

The narrative direction of "Nanjing! Nanjing!" is more inclined to focus on the cruelty of war from an individual perspective, specifically from the perspective of Japanese soldiers!

While this direction may resonate emotionally, it lacks a sense of historical weight.

If his arguments are compared to others after the film is released, they will definitely be met with a lot of criticism.

"Oh no, this is a huge problem..."

Lu Chuan was already scratching her head frantically.

Seeing that his expression was off, the crew members didn't dare to approach him, and the atmosphere on set became oppressive.

After walking around the monitor twice, Lu Chuan felt her head buzzing.

He had considered adjusting the narrative direction, but now that filming had begun, the actors, locations, and equipment were all in place, and tens of millions of dollars had been invested, there was simply no turning back.

Moreover, the overall narrative direction cannot be changed, since the investors have requirements; at most, some adjustments can be made to the details.

So at this point, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and keep shooting.

Can't stop!
I dare not stop!
It can't be stopped!

Now we can only choose one path and go all the way down it, otherwise we'll end up pleasing neither side.

At that point, he'll be drowned by all the spittle!
(End of this chapter)