Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Yang Che initially said those things to fool Hao Lei and influence her thinking, but as he spoke, he started to express his true feelings. Of course, making a movie and then going all out with nudity—is he trying to study human aesthetics with the audience? Bullshit!

Either make erotic films openly and honestly, or what's the big deal about making a shrouded, forbidden film?

Many people can't get over this. Just think of it this way: if you delete that nude scene, or have the actors cover up their performance, will it affect the plot? Don't worry, 99% of the time it won't have any impact at all.

Speaking of erotic films, Chinese erotic films are world-class, making Western art films look like inferior imitations.

For example, the films Li Hanxiang made in the 1970s had a global impact.

A large number of European directors at the time saw this as a treasure trove, such as Andrzej Zulawski, and imitated and plagiarized it in various ways. However, they did not understand what negative space or metaphor meant. They wanted to film about lust, but ended up with films about lewdness; they wanted to film about romance, but ended up with films about vulgarity. Yet, even so, one by one, they became great directors.

Yang Che's words were undoubtedly a shock to Hao Lei.

Her previous understanding and education stemmed from the extreme extroversion of the European New Wave and the extreme introversion of a military family. Caught between these two extremes, she was serious, conflicted, sensitive, and impulsive. Her several messy relationships reveal that she was also an extremely self-centered person.

As the saying goes, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, traveling ten thousand miles is not as good as meeting countless people, and meeting countless people is not as good as being enlightened by a wise teacher.

Hao Lei remained silent for a long time; she was thinking, she was having an epiphany.

If this were a cultivation novel, it would be like someone currently in the Foundation Establishment stage...

Of course, Hao Lei's enlightenment lies in leaving blank spaces, metaphors, and restrained acting.

Knowing something is one thing, understanding something is another; they are not the same thing.

For example, truly top-notch performances are never hysterically "acted" out, but rather "lived" out in a calm and collected manner.

This wasn't entirely due to Yang Che's words. The most important factor was her usual diligent study and research, as well as yesterday's single shot of her turning around, which demonstrated over a dozen different expressions... all of these things combined to enlighten her.

As the saying goes, "A masterpiece is born of nature, and a skillful hand may occasionally capture its essence."

Without practice, even the most naturally perfect work cannot be achieved. The key to using minimal force to achieve maximum effect lies in possessing immense strength yourself.

In another timeline, to be fair, it was indeed Lou Ye who helped her understand, which is why she looked down on Lou Ye after "Massage," but she was always grateful to him.

This girl is truly talented; many of her performance clips have been used as model lessons in classes at the Central Academy of Drama and the Beijing Film Academy. It's a pity that she never encountered a role that would make her famous.

So much so that everyone thinks she has good acting skills, but no one can recall any classic scenes of hers. The only thing the public remembers about her is Qin Huairu.

Yang Che didn't disturb her reverie, continuing to chew on his pickled vegetables and drink his porridge. He felt that Hao Lei and Shen Aojun were somewhat similar, except that she was more delicate, while the latter was more dignified; of course, both were good-looking.

Yang Che had no evil intentions whatsoever; he had been completely immersed in the short film for the past few days.

"Although I don't quite agree with your point of view, thank you very much."

"I don't know what you're thanking me for, but you're welcome."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Hao Lei smiled broadly.

Deng Chao looked a little awkward as he entered the restaurant, but he quickly smiled and greeted everyone.

Gu Yibing, who was showing off the amazing shot she had captured to Zeng Jian, glanced around and silently felt sorry for Deng Chao. Her crush had ended before it even began.

There was a problem with the morning's filming. The real-life couple who played husband and wife, who appeared in the front row yesterday, didn't show up today. Yang Che didn't call "action" but instead asked Fu Dong to find a way to get them to come.

When faced with two extras who had gone to other places for some reason, Fu Dong paid double the compensation out of his own pocket, but only received the reply that they would be back in the afternoon.

Fu Dong was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Many people didn't take it seriously, thinking it was nitpicking or pretentious, but no one questioned or advised Yang Che.

"Brother Che, I'm sorry, I..."

Yang Che looked at the timid Fu Dong, patted him on the shoulder, and laughed, "It's okay, it's not your responsibility. Come on, get ready to film. We can add the carriage shots later."

Fu Dong was so moved he almost cried.

This made Yang Che sigh once again, realizing that a director on set is truly like an emperor, with everyone's eyes on you, and if you speak softly, everyone can hear you.

So why do directors often yell and shout?

Just as everyone was making preparations, a loud shout came from the road not far away.

"Who gave you permission to film a movie here?"

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw two middle-aged men wearing straw hats, one riding a bicycle and shouting as they sped toward them. They were wearing similar vests, one green and one blue work pants, and rubber shoes. The work pants were rolled up, typical peasant attire. However, judging from their skinny figures and roguish expressions, it was clear what kind of people they were.

Li Xiangdong and Yuanhang arrived in front of Yang Che almost instantly, which startled the two who had just jumped off their bicycles. However, their expressions became even more arrogant the next second, and they sauntered over.

Everyone turned to look at Yang Che.

Yang Che patted Yuanhang's sturdy back, then looked at Zhang Yang and gave him a wink.

Zhang Yang immediately greeted them with a smile: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, we have already informed the village and have all the necessary paperwork."

The leader blew his nose and said, "I don't care. My donkey walked this way yesterday and got scared when it got home..."

Zhang Yang was speechless. "You should have come up with a better reason. You could have said this land belongs to your brigade. Fine, you just mentioned 'filming a movie' right off the bat. I can't ask for more."

"I understand, I understand. It hasn't been easy for either of you..."

Zhang Yang handed over 500 yuan, saying, "Brothers, please split this between yourselves and buy some wine and meat to calm your nerves. Thank you both."

The two men's eyes lit up immediately, and their attitude changed instantly. They said that they were in charge of this area and that we should contact them if we needed anything. Then they took the money and rode away on their bikes.

"Liangzi, I'll take 300 yuan."

"Why should I?"

"I said all those things, and being called an idiot isn't a nice word."

"I was the one who started this whole thing; I'm the initiator, and I get 300."

"Stop talking nonsense. I've changed my mind. You get 100 as a tip fee."

"Guo Mingyang, I'll f*** your mother."

Liangzi rode his bike and crashed into them, causing both of them to fall to the ground and then start fighting.

...........

While Zhang Yang was chatting with the two thugs, Yang Che didn't watch and just did what he was supposed to do.

Zeng Jian hesitated, then asked, "Brother Che, why? I was able to take them all down..."

Yang Che looked at him and said, "Look at Li Yixiang and He Tiehong."

Zeng Jian glanced over and realized that the two of them didn't care at all.

Yang Che explained to him, "The unforeseen items in the production budget are for this. Do you think these petty thugs will reason with you? Besides, they won't ask for much money. Okay, get ready."

Hao Lei, who was listening in from the side, felt somewhat aggrieved.

Seeing this, Deng Chao stepped forward and explained with a smile, "If those thugs act like scoundrels and delay filming, the losses will be even greater."

Hao Lei's eyes widened: "Do you think I'm stupid? Don't you understand this?"