Entertainment Era: My Good Sister Is All Over the World

"Time and numbers are ruthless, like two whips hanging over our backs."

—Jiang Zilong, “The Appointment of Factory Director Qiao”, People’s Literature, No. 7, 1979.

……

The original script for "Let the Bullets Fly" was polished countless times by Jiang Wen and his editing team, and it was incredibly well-crafted and full of spirit.

Therefore, the plot structure of this script does not need to be changed.

What really needs to be changed is a metaphor and some scenes that might cause misunderstanding.

For example, the second brother's homosexuality is a bit too advanced for this era. Even if it is only mentioned in the dialogue, it is still somewhat shocking.

There might not be any real relaxation in this regard until the 1990s at the earliest.

Under Chen Huaikai's guidance, Huang Wenbin made some modifications to "Let the Bullets Fly" to reflect the current era.

For two consecutive days, Chen Huaikai came to see Huang Wenbin, urging him to revise the script.

Sometimes, when I'm so busy, I don't even have time to eat in the cafeteria, so I just ask Liang Xiaosheng to bring me my food.

Liang Xiaosheng was also somewhat surprised, as he had never seen Director Chen value a junior so much, treating him with the same warmth and care as if he were his own nephew or niece.

On the third day, "Let the Bullets Fly" was finally revised to Chen Huaikai's satisfaction.

During this period, Chen Huaikai also did Huang Wenbin a favor by intervening and getting Director Jiang of Film Creation to publish Huang Wenbin's "Shaolin Temple" and "The Cotton Robe" together.

"This notebook is absolutely perfect!"

Chen Huaikai read the script over and over again. "I must make it well. This work will definitely be a milestone in my directing career."

"I'm glad Director Chen is satisfied." Huang Wenbin was also in a good mood. If this script were to be filmed, it would be a huge boost to his reputation.

Chen Huaikai patted Huang Wenbin on the shoulder: "Don't be so formal. I feel like we've known each other forever. You can just call me Uncle Chen from now on."

Huang Wenbin said with a smile, "That would be too much trouble."

Chen Huaikai said nonchalantly, "You and Kaige are classmates, so it's no problem for you to call me uncle."

Huang Wenbin was so shocked that he broke out in a cold sweat. He didn't want to have any deep connection with Chen Kaige.

Although Chen Kaige has had several wives and lovers, there have always been rumors in the industry that he is bisexual and has taken some rather provocative photos with renowned photographer Christopher Doyle.

"Anyway, I'll take this notebook." Chen Huaikai carefully put the manuscript away and said with a smile, "I'll go find the factory leaders first to finalize this, and then you can join the team."

Huang Wenbin was naturally more than happy to oblige: "Then I wish Uncle Chen success!"

"No problem." Chen Huaikai was a little impatient and left in a hurry.

He hadn't been gone long when Liang Xiaosheng appeared and asked softly, "How was it?"

"What, how?" Huang Wenbin asked, feigning ignorance.

"Don't pretend with me." Liang Xiaosheng rolled her eyes at Huang Wenbin. "Of course I'm talking about your script. Director Chen has been watching it closely for two days. Has it come to fruition yet?"

Huang Wenbin nodded: "It's been revised. Director Chen took it to the leadership."

"That's pretty much it!" Liang Xiaosheng knew Chen Huaikai's position in the factory; if he wanted to start filming, his superiors would generally not stop him.

Huang Wenbin yawned and said wearily, "I've been revising this script for the past two days, but I haven't even started writing Director Xie's yet."

"No rush!" Liang Xiaosheng said with a smile, "Director Xie is still out of town, you have at least a month."

Huang Wenbin said with a smile, "If that's the case, I can still find time to write something else."

"Go ahead and write, there's plenty of paper here anyway." Liang Xiaosheng is also a writer himself, and he often creates in his spare time, so he knows very well that sometimes when he encounters a creative block, he needs to write something else to refresh his mind.

Seeing the glint in Huang Wenbin's eyes, he suddenly felt a chill and asked, "Does that mean you already have a plan?"

"Yes, I've indeed had a good idea." Huang Wenbin nodded.

This idea was actually conceived by Chen Huaikai.

He thought of Chen Kaige because of Chen Huaikai, and then he remembered the work "Farewell My Concubine".

After thinking of this movie that would go down in history, he immediately checked the information stored on his mental hard drive.

According to available information, the film "Farewell My Concubine" is adapted from the novel of the same name by Hong Kong writer Lilian Lee, published in 1985.

Of course, according to Li Bihua herself, this novel was actually written because she was a fan of the pairing of Ti Lung and David Chiang.

Huang Wenbin ignored all that. Now that he had thought of this project, he couldn't let it go easily. He could start making some preparations.

If anyone asks again why he was able to write a novel about Peking Opera, then Chen Huaikai can be cited as an example.

Chen Huaikai is a big shot in making opera films. What's wrong with someone he trained writing an excellent Peking Opera novel?

With such a great opportunity to boost my reputation, "Farewell My Concubine" should definitely be put on the agenda as soon as possible.

"What kind of subject matter is it?" Liang Xiaosheng couldn't help but ask.

Huang Wenbin smiled, revealing a hint of his thoughts: "This idea came to me when I was chatting with Director Chen earlier, and it's naturally about Peking Opera."

"Peking Opera?" Liang Xiaosheng looked surprised, then clapped his hands and said, "Then you'll have to communicate more with Director Chen. He's an expert in Peking Opera."

Huang Wenbin nodded: "Let me write down my rough ideas first."

Seeing that Huang Wenbin had started writing, Liang Xiaosheng immediately and tactfully withdrew and returned to the editorial office.

……

Chen Huaikai excitedly pushed open the door to the office of Wang Yang, the director of the Beijing Film Studio: "Hey, Lao Wang! Lao Wang!"

Wang Yang, who was enjoying a rare moment of leisure, was sipping his tea when Chen Huaikai suddenly barged in, startling him so much that he burned his mouth.

He hurriedly put down his teacup and said irritably, "What's with all this fuss? What's going on?"

Chen Huaikai sat down opposite Wang Yang without any hesitation and handed him the manuscript: "I've got a good script and I'm planning to start filming it. Take a look at it."

"Let the bullets fly?"

Wang Yang glanced at the name and his mind immediately went blank: "This isn't Peking Opera, is it? Is it some kind of local folk opera?"

"Am I only capable of making opera films?" Chen Huaikai said with some resentment, "This is a feature film that I had someone write. The script is very polished. As long as you nod your head, I can immediately get the crew up and running."

He pressed on, saying, "You said back then that as long as I could find a script that satisfied you, you would bear the pressure and let me start working on it."

"I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush!" Wang Yang quickly waved his hand at Chen Huaikai, "Let me look at this notebook first."

More than half an hour passed.

Wang Yang was sweating profusely as he read the book; it was somewhat unexpected.

Even with many metaphors removed, the thrilling battles of wits and the incredibly precise and witty dialogue... made him feel like he was eating ice cream on a hot summer day, so exhilarated that every pore on his body seemed to explode with pleasure.

These days, even if you're going to make a movie about fighting against tyrants and villains, it's usually just a simple and direct way of defeating them. The complex conflict and multiple shifts in stance that are present in "Let the Bullets Fly" are truly rare.

At the same time, he also realized that if this book were to be filmed, it would definitely cause a lot of controversy.

The arts and culture sector has only just begun to loosen its grip, yet it's already taking such big steps; it's too easy to make a mess of things!

Wang Yang put down his manuscript and began pacing around his office.

Chen Huaikai didn't urge him; he knew this factory director too well.

Director Wang is a very decisive person. He may not know more about movies than I do, but he definitely dares to make decisions and can withstand pressure from above.

"shoot!"

"We have to film it!"

Sure enough, Wang Yang's eyes quickly hardened, and he said to Chen Huaikai, "Not only will we film it, but it will also be the studio's key film for the second half of the year. If any problems arise, I will take responsibility!"

"That's settled!" Chen Huaikai clapped his hands with a smile.

"Who did you get to write this?" Wang Yang couldn't help but ask curiously. "You didn't go to great lengths, did you?"

In his opinion, someone who can write such an amazing script must be a literary master.

He even started speculating about Cao Yu and Ba Jin.

"It's Xiao Huang who came to the factory to revise the manuscript; he wrote it."

Chen Huaikai said with some surprise, "He submitted three manuscripts to the factory, but none of them were approved. However, Tie Li took a liking to one of his novels, so he asked him to come to the factory to revise the manuscript. I happened to be there, so I brought one of the manuscripts with me."

"Is that so?" Wang Yang looked surprised. "Xiao Jiang is still being conservative."

The "Little Jiang" here refers to Jiang Huaiyan, the director of the Literature Department of Beijing Film Studio, who is also the father of actress Jiang Shan.

"It's alright, I've already spoken to Xiao Jiang," Chen Huaikai said with a smile, trying to smooth things over. "Those two scripts have already been published in the latest issue of 'Film Creation'."

Wang Yang became interested and immediately had someone bring him the latest issue of the magazine.

the other side.

Huang Wenbin wrote out the plot outline of "Farewell My Concubine" and then stopped.

Then, they started adapting "The Coffin" into a screenplay. After an unknown amount of time, they suddenly heard someone shouting from inside the building: "Let the Bullets Fly, the court hearing is today!"

Court hearing?

What the hell?

Am I about to be criticized and denounced?