Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

He looked up at the two of them: "This isn't a male-centric drama; it requires two characters to tear each other apart and complement each other."

Therefore, the opposing actors must be strong enough. Do you have any suitable candidates in mind?

Upon hearing this, the uncle and nephew looked at each other in bewilderment.

After all, one of the writers had the intention of promoting himself when he wrote the script, while the other had spent the whole night working on the storyboard and hadn't had time to think about casting.

Seeing this, Zhang Yimou immediately realized that the two of them hadn't thought about this matter yet, and couldn't help but worry about them:

"This film is short and concise. If it were to start filming, it would probably be completed in less than a month."

I think filming in January next year, before the new year, would be a good time, but that would involve scheduling conflicts with the actors…”

He turned his gaze to Li Xiang: "It's easier to arrange things on your end; your schedule can be adjusted to suit the film crew."

But the role of the mother is crucial, so we need to start looking for a suitable actress now and finalize her schedule.

"As the screenwriter, you know the core qualities of this character best. Tell me who you think is most suitable."

Seeing that Li Xiang was hesitant, he comforted him, "Don't rush, name a few options first. You can decide later after the auditions. Just go with your first instinct."

Li Xiang glanced at Uncle Wang again. Uncle Wang waved his hand and said, "Don't look at me. Tell me your thoughts first, and then we'll discuss it together."

Without any reservations, Li Xiang immediately spoke up: "How is Teacher Xi Meijuan? She possesses an innate intellectual's melancholy, and an almost saintly sense of compassion."

Moreover, her acting was very nuanced; she was sure to portray that subtle breakdown very well.

Zhang Yimou did not express his opinion, but only gestured for Li Xiang to continue.

"And Ms. Yu Nan," Li Xiang paused.

"It can express a variety of extreme emotions and also has a touch of cruel religious feeling, which is both in line with cold revenge and can also support that fragile feeling."

"Teacher Yue Hong is another one." He added after thinking for a moment, "She is very good at portraying roles such as suffering mothers and tragic women, and her experience speaks for itself."

Then, Li Xiang spread his hands: "These are the three I can think of, and they are all suitable in terms of age."

Actually, actress Lü Zhong was also a good fit for the role, but her age didn't quite fit the character's background of having such a young son, so we didn't consider her.

After Li Xiang finished explaining the casting choices, Zhang Yimou didn't respond immediately. Instead, he picked up the script again, his gaze falling on the two words on the cover:

"Is this where the title of the play comes from?"

He looked up at Li Xiang: "You just unconsciously mentioned the Virgin Mary, compassion, revenge, collapse, suffering, and religious feeling..."

Perhaps you don't even realize it, but these words perfectly encapsulate the core of the entire film—

Just like Mary embracing the dead Jesus, it evokes extreme grief, sacrifice, and compassion. That's why you named it "Pietà," isn't it?

Li Xiang paused for a moment, the relaxed expression on his face gradually fading. After a few seconds, he only answered with one word: "Yes."

Fortunately, Zhang Yimou didn't press further. Instead, he turned to Uncle Wang and asked, "What candidates do you have on your side?"

"The people Li Xiang mentioned are all quite good," Uncle Wang said thoughtfully.

"Comparatively speaking, I originally thought Xi Meijuan was more suitable. However... judging from your expression, it seems you have a different opinion."

Since they're all on the same side, Zhang Yimou didn't beat around the bush.

He hadn't decided on a candidate yet, but after listening to Li Xiang list those words, a person suddenly popped into his mind.

Kara Hui

He looked at the two of them and explained, "The story, in the end, is still about revenge, sin and punishment, and mercy."

Then Kara Hui would be very suitable—she can switch freely between feigned gentleness and deep-seated hatred, and her crying scenes are also quite outstanding…”

"More importantly, she is a Hong Kong actress who just won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress in 09."

Having been in the industry for many years, Uncle Wang immediately understood: "The co-production route?"

"That's not all." Zhang Yimou nodded. "She just won Best Actress, and it's unlikely she'll win again anytime soon."

Once the film is nominated, Li Xiang's influence in the awards process will inevitably be greater than hers. At that point, even a single nomination will give him a significant advantage over actors of his age.

This can be considered a safeguard for you.

"But will she answer?" Uncle Wang pressed.

Before Zhang Yimou could speak, Li Xiang nodded affirmatively: "Uncle, you must believe in yourself."

"It's not a question of whether she's willing or not; it's that she'll most likely agree immediately." Zhang Yimou saw things more clearly.

"Since the time of Hero and House of Flying Daggers, the Hong Kong film market has been shrinking, and many stars have been developing their careers in mainland China."

Even though she's a film queen, she still needs a role that can solidify her position on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and our script just happens to provide her with such an opportunity.

He then looked at Uncle Wang: "Besides, you yourself are well-known. As long as the script is of high quality, she definitely won't miss this opportunity."

"I really hadn't considered that! With her in the cast, not only is the acting guaranteed, but the chances of winning awards are also much greater. She's the one!"

"Okay, if you have no objections, I'll take care of the matchmaking."

Seeing Zhang Yimou's enthusiasm, Li Xiang seized the opportunity to say:

"Uncle Zhang, you've already given us so many suggestions, why not go all the way and become the producer of this film?"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yimou immediately shook his head after hearing this: "I will not participate in the filming."

He turned to Uncle Wang and said sincerely, "This is your first film as a director, so you should be able to let loose and do whatever you want."

If you do win an award in the future, it will be an achievement you earned through your own hard work, and no one will have the right to criticize you.

Li Xiang was stunned for a moment, but quickly understood the reason.

Zhang Yimou is too famous. If he participates in the filming and the film achieves success in awards in the future, some people will inevitably say that it benefited from his fame.

Uncle Wang finally had the opportunity to direct a film, and he would definitely be upset if someone else took the credit.

He scratched his head, smiled, and didn't bring it up again.

Uncle Wang naturally thought of this as well, and cupped his hands to Zhang Yimou, saying, "That makes sense. I also want to win an award based on my own abilities, so I won't ask you for help."

"We're all family, no need for such formalities." Zhang Yimou waved his hand and placed the script on the table.

"First, we need to finalize the female lead's details, and then we can slowly make preparations."

You're an old hand in this business, you know what you're doing, so I won't get involved too much. If there's anything you're unsure about, feel free to contact me.

After leaving Zhang Yimou's studio, the two did not immediately separate.

Li Xiang first sent Master Chen and Xiao Jiang back on their own, then got into Uncle Wang's car.

After closing the car door, he finally asked, "Uncle, are we making this film ourselves, or do we need to raise investment?"

Uncle Wang was staring out the car window in a daze when he heard Li Xiang's words and looked away: "I've been thinking about this too."

Just now inside, Yi Mou didn't mention the new picture at all, and since I've never gotten along with Zhang Weiping, I didn't want to take the initiative to get involved.

He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes, "But in my opinion, Yi Mou probably has plans to start from scratch."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Li Xiang: "Has his relationship with Zhang Weiping really reached such an irreconcilable point?"

"I'm quite nervous." Li Xiang nodded. "In my opinion, their cooperation probably won't last long."

Uncle Wang grunted in response and didn't continue the topic. He tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, seemingly deep in thought.

After a while, he spoke up: "What are your thoughts on this investment?"

"I don't know much about these things, I'll listen to you," Li Xiang answered truthfully, then added...

"But this is just a low-budget art film, three or four million should be enough at most, right?"

"It certainly won't cost too much," Uncle Wang nodded. "But in our line of work, the worst thing you can do is to hoard money. Besides, three or four million isn't a small amount."

"I just landed two endorsements and have some money on hand. If you think it's a good fit for you, we can do it ourselves."

"That's not appropriate." Uncle Wang waved his hand, his expression serious.

"Kid, remember this: never make a movie on your own. Even if it's not to share the risk, you have to consider human relationships."

You need to let people in the industry know that you're willing to share profits; that will make things easier for you in the future.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I don't lack money, but this time, being a director is different from being a cinematographer. I have to rebuild my network and make good relationships."

I'm sure I can secure an investment from China Film Group, and you and I can contribute another... I'm thinking, should we bring Huace Media in too?"

"You mean..." Li Xiang instantly understood.

"That's true. After all, I signed a ten-year contract with Huace. They don't have many film projects at the moment, so they will definitely put their heart into making this film a success."

Just like they treated me back then, they might even "spend a fortune to buy a horse's bones" and promote it extensively.

"That will save us a lot of trouble with the subsequent promotion and distribution, and I can also take this opportunity to further strengthen my relationship with the company."

"Then it's settled! I'll go to the Central Motion Picture Corporation to discuss things after I finish what I'm doing."

We'll notify you as soon as we have any news, and then you can communicate with Huace.

However, you'll have to put a lot of thought into the role, kid. I have confidence in you, but I'm still a little worried—

"Don't even mention you, I'm not sure myself. Luckily, there's still plenty of time. I can find a tutor to give me some extra lessons, so I don't think I'll fall behind."

"That's more like it." Uncle Wang started the car. "Where are you going? I'll give you a ride."

"Let's just go back to school. The holiday ends tomorrow, so there's no need to go back to the apartment and go through all that trouble."

"Okay, let's go back to school then." Uncle Wang turned the steering wheel, and the car slowly merged into the traffic.