The director starts by learning from the abilities of renowned directors.

Chapter 128 Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (released)

On July 6, Shen Qing and Liu Yifei returned to Beijing to begin preparations for the premiere of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons".

In the morning, Shen Qing arrived at the company, where Chen Zhixi reported that many netizens believed "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" was imitating Stephen Chow's nonsensical comedy style. Several trailers for the movie had already been released, and many netizens saw Stephen Chow's influence in them.

"That's true. Viewers will feel this even more strongly after watching the full episode."

"We've all seen the full movie, and everyone who has said you've achieved a near-perfect resemblance, even surpassing Stephen Chow himself. But those who haven't seen it won't believe it. Many netizens believe that 'Stephen Chow's nonsensical humor' equals 'Stephen Chow himself acting,' otherwise it's considered a poor imitation. Acknowledging the presence of Stephen Chow's nonsensical humor might deter some viewers from watching the film."

Shen Qing nodded; Chen Zhixi's statement made some sense. Honestly, if someone were to stand up and say his new film was in the style of Stephen Chow's nonsensical comedy, Shen Qing would definitely categorize it as a terrible movie.

"You are a world-class director and a world-class actor. In terms of status, you have completely surpassed Stephen Chow. Admitting that your new film imitates Chow's nonsensical style is a kind of self-deprecation. Audiences who originally thought you were a bigger star may subconsciously think that you are not as good as Stephen Chow."

"So what do you mean?"

"I will not respond for now and let the facts speak for themselves. Audiences who have seen the movie will be impressed by its quality. As for those who haven't seen the movie, since you haven't personally admitted that it's a Stephen Chow-style nonsensical comedy, they won't care too much and will just go to the theater because of your reputation as a sci-fi director and action star."

Shen Qing pondered for a moment, then remained noncommittal.

Meanwhile, on the Chinese internet, discussions about whether "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" imitates Stephen Chow's nonsensical style are intensifying.

"The trailer really does have a bit of Stephen Chow's slapstick humor. 'CJ7' was already two years ago, and I haven't heard of Stephen Chow preparing a new movie. If Shen Qing's new movie can truly capture the essence of Stephen Chow's slapstick humor, I'd be happy to support it!"

"Me too. I'm a post-80s generation. I've watched a lot of Stephen Chow's movies since I was a child. If Shen Qing can really capture the essence of Stephen Chow's nonsensical humor, even if it's only 60% similar, I'm willing to support him."

"Shen Qing is also a post-80s generation. He must have watched a lot of Stephen Chow's movies since he was a child. Although he is now a world-renowned director, it is not shameful to have some feelings for Stephen Chow's movies. As long as the movies are good, that's all that matters."

"The problem lies in whether the movie is good. Shen Qing is fine with other genres, but isn't Zhou-style slapstick comedy exclusive to Zhou Xingchi? If anyone else plays the role, let alone a 10, they'll be lucky to get a 5. Only when Zhou Xingchi himself plays Zhou-style slapstick comedy can it not be awkward."

"I found something really interesting: two Stephen Chow-style slapstick movies are being released simultaneously on July 9th. One is 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' starring Shen Qing and Liu Yifei, and the other is 'Flirting Scholar 2: The Four Great Scholars' starring Huang Xiaoming, Zhou Libo, Richie Jen, and Chen Baixiang. Which one do you think is better at imitating Stephen Chow's style?"

"I'd choose Shen Qing even with my eyes closed! Haven't you been disgusted by Huang Xiaoming's portrayal of Wei Xiaobao yet?"

On July 8, the premiere of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" was held at Wanda International Cinema in Beijing.

"Director Shen, netizens have analyzed the trailer and concluded that 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' pays homage to Stephen Chow's nonsensical style. Could you discuss this? Does the film really borrow from Stephen Chow's nonsensical style?"

On stage, Shen Qing stood in the center, with Liu Yifei and Jin Chen on one side and Shen Teng and Ding Jian on the other. Upon hearing this, Shen Qing took the microphone from the reporter.

"I've always loved comedy films. My previous works, like 'Nightclub' and 'Lost in Thailand,' were attempts in the comedy genre. However, I haven't yet developed my own style in comedy, so I'm currently working hard to study and absorb the essence of comedy masters from both China and abroad, such as Jim Carrey, Mr. Bean, Charlie Chaplin, and Zhao Benshan. These masters are all my subjects of study and learning, including Mr. Chow Sing-chi. Chinese filmmakers cannot study comedy films without studying Mr. Chow Sing-chi's nonsensical comedy films. So yes, 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' is indeed a film with Chow's nonsensical style."

"Netizens say that Zhou's nonsensical style is highly exclusive, and anyone else who tries to imitate it will inevitably be criticized as a poor imitation. What is Director Shen's opinion on these netizens' views?"

"It is indeed difficult to capture the essence of Zhou's nonsensical style, but I think it is precisely because the audience knows how difficult it is that if the movie can really capture some of its spirit, even if there are still many shortcomings, I think the audience will understand and support it."

"Yifei, netizens are very curious about your experience working with director Shen Qing for the second time. Could you talk about it?"

On stage, Liu Yifei was wearing a custom-made white T-shirt. After hearing the reporter's question, she glanced at Shen Qing standing next to her, and then took the microphone from the reporter's hand.

-

"My feeling is, how can someone improve so quickly? From the first collaboration to the second collaboration, there were only five years in between. Director Shen had just directed his debut film five years ago, and five years later he is already a world-class director and actor."

After saying that, she tilted her head and looked at Shen Qing, asking, "Is 'Making a Name for Yourself' your debut work?"

"It's just my theatrical debut, since I've made TV movies before," Shen Qing replied with a smile.

During the interview, Shen Teng focused on how he was "tricked" into joining the film crew by Shen Qing. He said that when he was invited, Director Shen told him that his character was the most handsome man in the whole film, and that he would be served by white-clad maids wherever he went. However, Shen Teng left a cliffhanger at this point, telling everyone that they would find out why he said he was tricked in a moment.

In an interview, Jin Chen said that she was selected because of her dance skills and that she would teach the director and Liu Yifei to dance in the film. At the end, she even did a big split at the urging of the audience.

Ding Jian, the actor who plays Sun Wukong, said that this version of Sun Wukong is quite a challenge for him, as it is a very subversive "Great Sage Equal to Heaven" image.

Shen Qingxin, standing nearby, said: "This is subversive? You haven't seen the original version of Sun Wukong!"

The subsequent screening of the film was a phenomenal success. Shen Qing had previously mentioned that the film did indeed draw inspiration from Stephen Chow's nonsensical style, which meant that audience expectations had actually been lowered.

You're great at making action movies, even better at making sci-fi movies, but you're trying to imitate Stephen Chow's nonsensical style? Even if you imitate it well, you'll still be a Stephen Chow—

Is it good for me to support myself?

Making nonsensical films is simply playing to one's weaknesses and avoiding one's strengths!

But who would have thought that Shen Qing had taken a photo with Zhou Xingchi, which would mean he possessed Zhou Xingchi's abilities at their peak? Furthermore, his abilities, similar to those of Zhang Yimou and Spielberg, would also be subtly incorporated into the film. Therefore, Shen Qing's version of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" is actually of a completely higher quality than the original.

The result was that almost all the audience members were stunned, and the laughter was almost constant.

After the premiere, Shen Qing and Liu Yifei left in separate cars. Liu Yifei's car took a detour and headed straight for Shen Qing's house. They would be promoting the movie together the next day, so staying together tonight would be more convenient.

Late that night, news of the phenomenal success of the premiere screening of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" had already spread across the internet.

"Just got back from the premiere, and I highly recommend everyone see 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons'! Feel free to ask me any questions!"

Is this really Zhou's signature nonsensical style?

"Yes! But I swear, the effect is just as good as if Stephen Chow had acted it himself!"

"Really? I admit Shen Qing is awesome, but Shen Qing isn't Zhou Xingchi!"

-

"The strangest thing is that everyone knows Shen Qing is not Zhou Xingchi, but 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' may be more like a Zhou Xingchi movie than if Zhou Xingchi himself had directed it."

"impossible!"

"I thought it was impossible before I even saw it!"

next morning.

A movie theater.

"Yu Jianwei!"

Li Guiwen patted Yu Jianwei on the shoulder from behind. Yu Jianwei turned around, saw it was Li Guiwen, and asked with some surprise, "Didn't you say this movie was probably not good and we should wait and see? Why are you here too?"

"Even if Shen Qing's movies aren't good, they shouldn't be too bad; they should at least have a basic standard."

"Just what I thought."

Yu Jianwei bought two tickets, and Li Guiwen gave him the change. The two waited a while longer before officially entering the venue.

"I'm quite interested in Journey to the West themes, but from the introduction, it seems like the film doesn't depict the original story. I wonder where it's based on—"

Which part did you start with?

"The adaptation seems to be quite significant; I heard it's even more extensive than the adaptation of 'A Chinese Odyssey'."

The two chatted as they followed the crowd into the screening room, found their seats, and waited for the movie to start while still talking.

The first show in the morning had an attendance rate of about 70-80%, which was already quite impressive.

Before long, the movie officially started.

The film opens with a shot of the sky, in the center of which a ring appears. As the camera zooms in, the ring grows larger and larger, then flips over, revealing to the audience that it's not a ring at all, but rather the golden headband worn by Sun Wukong!

The movie is a bit scary. At the beginning, the little girl Changsheng's father pretends to be a monster, which scares Changsheng to tears. Later, the father is actually eaten by the monster, but Changsheng thinks that her father is just teasing her and keeps laughing.

A charlatan Taoist priest caught an ancient fish and insisted it was a monster. Then, Chen Xuanzang, played by Shen Qing, appeared and said the priest hadn't caught a monster. The priest incited the villagers to beat him up and even hang him up. The priest swore the monster was dead and the river was now safe. His disciple went into the water and was indeed unharmed, so the villagers all jumped in.

"What do you think?"

Li Guiwen asked Yu Jianwei in a low voice.

"The plot hasn't unfolded yet, but you know what, when Shen Qing appeared, I was momentarily stunned. He really does have a bit of Stephen Chow's vibe."

"Holy crap, it feels exactly the same as me! I thought it was just my imagination!"

"Shen Qing is definitely an expressive type; he can imitate anyone perfectly, even Jackie Chan."

"Even the supporting roles have the feel of supporting roles in Stephen Chow's movies. The scene where Xiao Changsheng's mother seriously questions Chen Xuanzang about whether her husband had ever died is hilarious!"

The scene where Xiao Changsheng's mother questions Chen Xuanzang about whether her husband had died is the first scene in the theater where the audience bursts out laughing.

The movie continues.

A real monster arrived, which was quite frightening. What was even more frightening was that Xiao Changsheng and her mother were actually eaten by the monster. When the scene of Xiao Changsheng being eaten was shown, the entire theater was filled with sounds of disbelief.

The humor intensifies from the moment the fish demon is captured. Chen Xuanzang tries to convert the fish demon with his singing, only to be brutally beaten by it, leaving the audience in stitches. Then, an arm reaches out, grabs the fish demon's hair, pulls it aside, and then proceeds to beat it up from both sides.

The audience was completely stunned.

Liu Yifei?

Fairy sister?

Is the person beating up the monster Liu Yifei?

The contrast is really huge! Liu Yifei has always given people the impression of being gentle and weak, but here she's beating up the fish demon with her arms bulging out. It's really exciting!

The fish demon was easily subdued by Miss Duan, played by Liu Yifei.

Then he walked to Chen Xuanzang's side.

"You're an exorcist too?"

"Um."

"On what grounds?"

"Exorcism Ceremony!"

"Three Hundred Children's Songs?"

The so-called exorcism ceremony turned out to be just three hundred children's songs!

Miss Duan took out an iron ring, then turned one into two, and two into a pile, finally saying, "I actually quite like these kinds of children's toys too."

He then burst into hearty laughter.

Yu Jianwei and Li Guiwen exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit surprised. Liu Yifei's powerful swing of her arm as she beat the monstrous fish demon was a complete departure from her previous on-screen image, and quite endearing.

Liu Yifei has always had the problem of not being able to fully express herself when acting, but this problem did not exist in "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons". The extreme contrast brought a very novel feeling to the audience.

When Pigsy from Gao Laozhuang suddenly opened his mouth, many viewers were caught off guard and startled.

Miss Duan brutally beats up the little monster from Gao Lao Zhuang, continuing to show the audience a completely different side of Liu Yifei. Pigsy is revealed in his true form by the Unfixed Flying Ring; his giant pig head is truly hideous, both ugly and disgusting.

Then Miss Duan asked Chen Xuanzang to use his mouth to suck out the pig demon's primordial spirit!

When Shen Qing, who played Chen Xuanzang, actually kissed that big pig-headed man, Yu Jianwei and Li Guiwen laughed along with the other audience members.

Next, Shen Qing and Liu Yifei kissed, and the audience in the theater immediately booed.

When the obedience talisman landed on Chen Xuanzang, the entire theater erupted in laughter as Chen Xuanzang imitated the Four Fiends' dance.

But obviously, this isn't the funniest part.

The atmosphere in the theater truly reached its peak when Shen Teng, playing the character of the Empty Prince, made his official appearance.

"Where did you pull these four scallions from?"

"Finding these four in the middle of nowhere is considered lucky!"

Yu Jianwei burst out laughing, and Li Guiwen, like many other audience members, laughed and slapped his thighs!

Finally, Sun Wukong appeared, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.

In Shen Qing's version of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons," the character with the biggest changes is Sun Wukong.

The reason Sun Wukong pursued Chen Xuanzang and Miss Duan was because before he was imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain, Buddha had said that whoever released him would be his servant, and that the person who released him would naturally have a way to subdue him. Sun Wukong feared this person, whom Buddha had mentioned as someone who could subdue him, which is why he pursued the two.

The three exorcists were killed because they were determined to enslave him, and what Sun Wukong could not accept most was losing his freedom. Five hundred years ago, the Buddha's words were misinterpreted as meaning that whoever defeats Sun Wukong can control him.

Miss Duan's true form is the Unfixed Flying Ring, which is the Tightening Band. Miss Duan never knew until her death that her true form was a magical artifact capable of subduing Sun Wukong.

Miss Duan once said to Chen Xuanzang: "My master always said that my heart was made of iron and very hard, until I met you."

This implies that Miss Duan is the Unfixed Flying Ring.

After Sun Wukong saw through Miss Duan and Chen Xuanzang's true forms, he said: "A cicada monkey got caught in a broken iron ring and thought it had found a treasure! How ridiculous! How ridiculous!"

Because Miss Duan's true form is the Unfixed Flying Ring (the Tightening Spell), Sun Wukong belittled her as a broken iron ring; because Chen Xuanzang was the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, and cicada is the cicada monkey, Sun Wukong said that a cicada monkey was trapped by a broken iron ring.

But in the end, this mockery will come true for Sun Wukong himself—a real "monkey" will be trapped by a real "golden headband" (the Unfixed Flying Ring), becoming the most ridiculous one.

It's somewhat like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Ultimately, the three hundred children's songs were pieced together to form the Great Sun Tathagata Sutra, and Chen Xuanzang summoned the Great Buddha from beyond the heavens.

This version of Sun Wukong did not transform into a giant ape, but instead directly used the Heavenly Manifestation and Earthly Manifestation supernatural powers from the original work, but was ultimately suppressed by the Great Buddha from beyond the heavens.

Ultimately, the Unbound Flying Ring transformed into the Tightening Headband and was placed on Sun Wukong's head.

The movie has ended.

Yu Jianwei and Li Guiwen followed the crowd out.

"How are you feeling?"

"It's beautiful, especially the giant Buddha statue at the end, it's very impressive."

As the two continued walking out, Yu Jianwei suddenly said, "Why do I feel like you're acting even better than Stephen Chow?"

"7

Li Guiwen slapped his thigh hard and said, "I knew it couldn't be my imagination!"

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