Chapter 551 The Poem Is Wrong
"Hong Kong people are really not suitable for filming this kind of ancient war-themed drama. No matter how much money is spent, it still exudes a sense of pettiness..."
In the conference room of China Film Group, Han Sanping rubbed his brows in distress. When the decision was made to launch Red Cliff, his head was filled with gimmicks such as "big production across the Taiwan Straits and Hong Kong, and the master of violent aesthetics Wu Yusen".
In addition, I have always had an emotional filter for Hong Kong filmmakers, so I chose to spare no effort to cheer for "Red Cliff".
But the filming of Red Cliff turned out to be such a mess...
It is said that when John Woo first found Lu Wei to be the screenwriter, Lu Wei asked him what core theme he wanted to express in the Battle of Red Cliffs.
John Woo gave a decisive answer: Peace!
Lu Wei asked again: Which character do you want to make the centerpiece?
John Woo: Xiao Qiao!
Reed asked why?
John Woo: Lin Chi-ling is very beautiful!
reed:……
If "Red Cliff" was somewhat restrained, "Red Cliff Part 2" completely exposed the pretentiousness of Hong Kong filmmakers.
What about Sun Shangxiang who went undercover in Cao's camp and fell in love with a stupid general of Cao's army, and even played Cuju; what about Xiao Qiao who openly entered Cao's camp and staged a Platonic "stupid beauty" with Meng De...
Although the war scenes are quite lively, the plots involving women are really stupid.
In the final scene of "Catch and Release Cao Cao", the screenwriter and director ignored the historical prototype and just made a big mess of it - it's not impossible to adapt it, but you have to at least make it acceptable to people!
After listening to Han Sanping's complaints about "Red Cliff", everyone in the conference room fell silent. After all, it was Han Sanping who decided to support "Red Cliff" in the first place. He may regret it, but how could his subordinates dare to criticize his actions?
At this moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Enter."
Han Sanping's secretary came in and whispered, "Boss Han, Director Xu is here."
Han Sanping slapped his head, stood up and said, "Director Xu and I have some things to do this afternoon, so let's just stop here for now."
Seeing him picking up the cup and about to leave, a director in charge of publicity and promotion had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask, "Boss Han, what should we do about the publicity and promotion of Red Cliff?"
"What else can be done?"
Han Sanping glanced at him and said coldly, "Of course everything will remain the same. Since we have already agreed on this before the cooperation, how can we, the great China Film Corporation, go back on our word? Besides, although Red Cliff was filmed in a mess, the box office was still acceptable."
After saying that, he pushed the door open and walked out.
Although everyone thinks that investing in "Red Cliff" was a mistake, and although he himself thinks so too, Han Sanping obviously does not want to make it public that this is a mistake.
Therefore, China Film Group Corporation can only pay the price for its small wilfulness of power - it is not the first time anyway, and everyone should have been used to it.
When he followed the secretary to the reception room, he saw Xu Kun sitting with his legs crossed and flipping through a script. Han Sanping asked curiously, "What's going on? Have you found something new in the Youth Directors Association?"
“It’s a good book indeed.”
Xu Kun showed Han Sanping the half-read script, and saw a sketch on the page. It showed a group of laughing stick figures, and behind them were two large chimneys.
The two chimneys that were belching out billowing black smoke were as crooked as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and it seemed as if they might collapse at any time like a mountain.
The people below were not completely unaware of this. If you look closely, you can find that several people were looking in the direction of the chimney, but they had no intention of escaping and were still laughing and playing there.
Just looking at this picture, it is impossible to understand the specific meaning, and Han Sanping was too lazy to guess, so he asked directly: "What is it about?"
"In the 1990s, a group of down-and-out but optimistic workers from Northeast China staged various absurd and funny stories to help their brother fight for the custody of his daughter."
Han Sanping understood it immediately, but after a moment of silence, he gave a different evaluation: "A lot of tragedies did happen at that time, but what they lost was actually something that most ordinary people of that era never had."
"What do you mean?"
Xu Kun was immersed in the atmosphere of sadness amidst the laughter. He was unable to react for a moment when he suddenly heard Han Sanping's counter-argument.
Han Sanping explained: "It was already a critical moment. If it was delayed any further, more people would suffer more."
These words...
You can't say it doesn't make sense, but it's a bit too grandiose, especially when it comes from someone of Han Sanping's status, it makes people feel awkward.
Han Sanping then added: "If this kind of script is well written, it shouldn't be difficult to win an award, but it's unlikely to be a big hit at the box office. Even the most empathetic people in Northeast China probably won't be willing to go to the cinema and expose their scars."
This is true.
Although "The Piano in a Factory" is a tragedy wrapped in the shell of absurd drama, its tragic core is always highlighted, making it impossible for you to ignore the sad background beneath the surface.
Everyone would admit that this kind of movie is a good one, but it is destined to be critically acclaimed but not commercially successful.
"Then just put it online." Xu Kun put the script away solemnly: "It just so happens that LeTV's art film section has become quite famous recently."
Han Sanping did not continue the topic when he saw this. He called Xu Kun outside and arranged for a driver to follow behind in Xu Kun's Mercedes-Benz. The two then got into the official car of the chairman of China Film Group Corporation and chatted all the way in the back seat.
During the discussion, it was natural to mention the decline of "Mei Lanfang" and the glory of Feng Xiaogang after his return to Feng's comedy.
Finally, Han Sanping said: "Art films are destined to be a niche. When this wave of cinema expansion is completed, the gap will be further widened. Although Chen Kaige's previous films were not well received, at least they got a good box office. I hope he can turn back this time and stop sticking to art films."
"But winning awards and becoming famous is also the best shortcut for many young directors to become famous."
Xu Kun would never contradict Han Sanping before, but now that he has become the president of the Youth Directors Association, it is not good for him to just follow the crowd on some things.
Apart from some low-budget comedies, the Youth Directors Association can basically only get access to literary and artistic feature films, so Xu Kun can neither let Jia Zhangke lead him astray, nor can he blatantly reject literary and artistic films and directors as he did before.
Han Sanping looked at Xu Kun seriously, smiled and changed the subject again: "When are you going to Wanwan?"
"I will attend Alibaba's annual meeting on the 28th, and I will fly to Taiwan overnight after the meeting."
"In such a hurry?"
Han Sanping was a little surprised. Because of some controversy, this year's Golden Horse Awards was postponed one day compared to previous years and was changed to the evening of the 29th. This meant that Xu Kun was planning to rush over on the day of the awards ceremony.
Usually, celebrities who are nominated will go there two or three days in advance to socialize.
Xu Kun curled his lips and said, "I just went there to get the award. I don't want to get involved in the gossip over there."
Now, both the officials and the people in the mainland have infinite expectations for Ma, and Ma is also trying his best to show his "friendliness", but Xu Kun, who knows the final result, does not want to be involved in this kind of hypocrisy that is doomed to be futile.
Han Sanping was hesitant to speak. He wanted to persuade Xu Kun to put the overall situation first and show the goodwill of the motherland to the pseudo-government led by Xiao Ma Ge.
But thinking of Xu Kun's consistent attitude towards people from Hong Kong and Taiwan, I was afraid that he would backfire.
So in the end Han Sanping sighed and said, "Forget it, if you don't want to participate, then don't participate. Anyway, you are not the one who needs to take the initiative to extend the olive branch."
…………
at the same time.
"There is spring water all around my house, and I see flocks of gulls coming every day. The flower path has never been swept for guests, and the door is now open for you. The food from the market is far away and has no flavor, and the wine from my poor home is only old wine..."
Amid the young boy's clear recitation, Chen Kaige was pacing back and forth in the yard of the villa with his hands behind his back.
When the boy finished reciting the whole poem, Chen Kaige stopped and said in a friendly manner: "Very good, Arthur. Now please interpret this ancient poem and analyze the simple emotions contained in it by the author."
Chen Feiyu's face was tense and she looked embarrassed. She subconsciously wanted to turn around and look in the direction of her mother, but when she met Chen Kaige's gaze, she lowered her head and stammered, "Dad, I, I haven't memorized it yet."
"No no no~"
Chen Kaige shook his head: "Arthur, you have to know that poetry is for appreciation and to cultivate one's sentiments. Memorizing it by rote..."
"Kaige!"
At this time, Chen Hong walked out of the living room quickly and said to him, "Get ready, Mr. Han's car has entered the community."
Upon hearing this, Chen Kaige subconsciously took a few steps forward, but soon stopped again and turned back to say to his son, "Arthur, go to the door and wait for a moment. When you see a car parked outside, recite the meaning of this poem loudly."
Chen Feiyu, who was only eight years old, had a bitter look on his face, thinking to himself, I already said I didn’t memorize it, why did my father force me to memorize it?
It can be seen that the mother also gave a wink, indicating that she should go to the door and wait quickly. Little Chen Feiyu had no choice but to lower his head and go out reluctantly.
After her son left, Chen Hong saw Chen Kaige listening intently, and couldn't help but approach him curiously and asked, "What exactly is the purpose of Mr. Han's visit this time?"
"It's not a big deal."
Chen Kaige flicked his sleeves and said indifferently, "He wants to bring together three major directors for The Founding of a Republic. Zhang Yimou and Feng Xiaogang have already agreed. Now I am the only one left."
Although he tried his best to act calm, the smile on his face betrayed his inner pride, so he couldn't help but add, "Xu Kun will also come with us. When the time comes, remember to cooperate with me and ask Lao Mouzi and Feng Xiaogang what conditions they have put forward."
Chen Hong suddenly understood. No wonder Xu Fan said that day that Xu Kun wanted to talk to her and Kaige about something. It turned out to be about this matter.
She breathed a sigh of relief, yet inexplicably felt a little lost.
At this moment, Chen Feiyu's stumbling reciting voice suddenly came from outside the door.
Chen Kaige raised his eyebrows, strode out of the courtyard gate, and said loudly: "Arthur, your explanation is not right, you need to revise it."
(End of this chapter)
