1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 125 Mr. Ba Jin (Please subscribe!)
West Germany, Berlin International Film Festival organizing committee.

A telegram arrived from the far East and was immediately delivered to the office of the organizing committee chairman, Moritz de Hader.

After reading the telegram, Moritz frowned slightly.

He glanced at it again, then took the telegram and went into the adjacent conference room, addressing the people inside:
"Hey guys, stop what you're doing. Our Chinese film selector, Ms. Yu, sent a telegram saying that Mr. Chen from his country has three films that he wants to submit to our film festival. Do you have any objections?"

Three movies? Shit, does that guy make movies that fast?

"No, no, no, Chen has two films. One is a suspense film that he directed and starred in, and the other is a martial arts film that he wrote and produced. The other is a Chinese opera film."

"Chairman Moritz, what is meant by 'Chinese-style opera film'?"

"I guess it's similar to our Western opera films, but of course I'm not sure what the specific differences are, so I'm also quite curious about their country's opera films."

"Then let them come. It'll be a good opportunity for us to see what they've got."

“I also support it, but I’m more interested in the martial arts film produced by Chan. I hope it won’t disappoint me.”

"You all support it, right? Okay, since no one objects, I'll call Miss Yu back."

……

Domestically, Beijing Film Studio, Recording and Editing Building, Room 303.

This place was assigned as the editing room for "The Devotion of Suspect X".

At this time, Chen Fusheng was also personally overseeing the editing process in the editing room.

"If this tracking shot were slowed down by 0.5 seconds, the sound of his footsteps on the steps would be heavier, each step would feel like it's hitting the viewer's heart. Also, the close-up of him looking down at a problem, the shaky shot is cut off, it's fixed on that textbook until someone comes in, then the shot is slowly pulled back, and then the color tone is adjusted to make the contrast between light and dark clearer."

"..."

As Chen Fusheng was speaking, he suddenly noticed a figure at the door. Looking up, he saw Yu Yuxi from China Film Group again.

He told everyone to start cutting, and then he went outside.

"Comrade Yu, what was the result?"

Yu Yuxi gave Chen Fusheng a complicated look. She never expected that the Berlin International Film Festival would actually agree to the request Chen Fusheng had made to her last time.

"Comrade Fusheng, congratulations! The Berlin International Film Festival organizing committee has agreed to your request. All three of your films can be submitted for competition."

"That's great, thank you, Comrade Yu, you've worked hard."

Yu Yuxi waved her hand: "You're welcome. It's my duty. I also congratulate Director Chen."

"In addition, I heard that directors Ling Zi and Chen Huaikai's films have not yet been completed, and I will send the film over by the end of December at the latest. I hope Director Chen can remind them to pay attention to the time so that they don't run out of time."

"Yes, I will..."

After finishing their business, Chen Fusheng invited Yu Yuxi to visit the editing room and even played her a clip that had already been edited.

Although it was just a fragment, Yu Yuxi was deeply impressed after watching it. Putting aside the story's brilliance, he felt that the narrative technique alone set it far ahead of domestic films and was on par with Western films.

This reassured her, since she was the one who recommended the movie. If it was good, she would also deserve credit; if it was bad, she would have to take the blame.

As soon as Yu Yuxi left, Chen Fusheng received a call from the bureau at the Beijing Film Studio, saying that his application to join the Writers Association had been approved and that he needed to go to the Writers Association this Friday, which is the day after tomorrow, to complete the membership procedures.

Because Deputy Director Shi reminded him on the phone that Mr. Ba Jin might meet with him, Chen Fusheng went to Xinhua Bookstore after get off work today to buy several of Mr. Ba Jin's books so that he would have something to talk about when they met.

Even last-minute cramming is better than doing nothing at all.

On Friday, Chen Fusheng met with Mr. Ba Jin, who was 77 years old, at the Writers Association.

The old man had a full head of white hair, but he was still in good spirits. "Hello, Mr. Ba Jin, I am Chen Fusheng."

"Comrade Fusheng is here. I recognize you without any introduction. I've seen all your movies. Although this is our first meeting, you feel like an old friend. Hahahaha..."

Hearing the old man's hearty laughter, Chen Fusheng's previously tense body completely relaxed.

“I also hit it off with you at first sight, sir. I met your daughter, Comrade Li Xiaolin, at the Shanghai Film Studio last year and we talked about you. Unfortunately, I was busy with the film at the time and was afraid of bothering you, so I didn’t visit you.”

"It's alright, it's alright. I knew about it that time too. Later, Xiaolin mentioned you to me after she got home. She said you are a very thoughtful and talented young man. She also told me it was a pity that you didn't use all your talent on novel writing. Now it seems that the path you took, Comrade Fusheng, to generate foreign exchange for the country through film is more valuable. When I first heard that you sold 'Andhadhun' for seven million US dollars at the Cannes Film Festival, I was also greatly shocked. It was truly remarkable."

"It was also good luck..."

After the secretary finished making the tea and left, Mr. Ba Jin asked again:
"I heard that Fusheng's new movie has finished filming? What kind of story is it about?"

“Yes, filming just wrapped up last week. This time it’s a mystery thriller, about a genius mathematician who has lost hope for the future. To repay his kind and innocent neighbors, a mother and daughter, he gets involved in the case after they accidentally kill someone and tries to clear their names,” Chen Fusheng summarized.

"That sounds interesting, I hope... By the way, what's the name of this movie again?"

"The Devotion of Suspect X".

"Oh, I hope your film 'The Devotion of Suspect X' will be released soon."

"It's probably a bit early for this movie to be released in China, but it's already in post-production. Once post-production is complete, the bureau will hold a screening. I can let you know in advance, sir. If you have time, you're welcome to come and watch it."

"Alright, alright, thank you, Comrade Fusheng."

"You're too kind. Actually, we should send you a copy, but you don't have the facilities to screen it here."

"No need, no need. I'll come to your bureau when I have time."

Chen Fusheng then took the initiative to ask:
"Sir, is your 'Random Thoughts' still being updated?"

"It's still being updated." Ba Jin asked with some surprise, "Comrade Fusheng, do you also read my 'Random Thoughts'?"

"Yes."

Of course, Chen Fusheng would not admit that he only started watching it the night before last.

Next, he asked Mr. Ba Jin about some parts of "Random Thoughts" that he hadn't understood after reading the first two volumes in the past two days. He also asked Mr. Ba Jin for some writing tips and methods. While not entirely helpful, he certainly benefited a lot.

Anyway, after the conversation, Chen Fusheng's creative spirit began to stir.

Just then, as if seeing through his heart, Mr. Ba Jin added fuel to the fire.

"Comrade Fusheng, now that you've finished filming your movie, you shouldn't be too busy, right? Would you be interested in writing your next novel?"

Before Chen Fusheng could reply, Mr. Ba Jin added, "Your age is the golden age for creation. Once you pass this age, a person's thinking, energy, and physical strength will not be able to keep up, so don't slack off!"

"Then I'll look for inspiration first..." Chen Fusheng said, somewhat tempted, but his answer was rather vague.

"Okay, okay, keep it up! I look forward to your new work, Comrade Fusheng. By the way, please also give a shout-out to Harvest magazine... Hahahaha."

"Sir, are you still in charge of the work related to Harvest magazine?"

"Of course, I'm still the editor-in-chief of Harvest. After I finish these few days, I'll probably go back to Shanghai. I'll come to Beijing next month to preside over the selection of the Mao Dun Literature Prize. At that time, I will also introduce the new members of the Writers Association who joined this year at the meeting. So, Comrade Fusheng, you should be in Beijing in October, right?"

"It should be there."

"That's good……"

　More words were added to the word count; last night's chapter was nearly four thousand words long...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)