After graduating from the Photography Department of Yenching Film Art Academy in July 82, Zhang Yimou was assigned to work in Guangxi Film Studio. It's a film studio in a very remote location.

Zhang Yimou has just gotten married, and his wife is in Xianyang, Shaanxi, and he actually doesn't want to go to this film studio. However, I am afraid of losing my job, so I can only accept such a work arrangement.

and Zhang Yimou were jointly assigned to Guangxi Film Studio, as well as Zhang Junzhao, a graduate of the Department of Directing, Xiao Feng, a graduate of the Department of Photography, and He Qun, a graduate of the Department of Fine Arts.

They soon discovered that there were certain advantages to being assigned to this remote film studio. For example, large film studios need to compete with many famous directors and big names, and it is difficult for new directors and photographers to take charge of themselves and get performance opportunities.

Many newcomers who graduated from Beijing Film have only worked in the studio for half a year.

Zhang Junzhao applied to direct the film "One and Eight", and invited Zhang Yimou and Xiao Feng to serve as photographers and He Qun as art directors.

For the first time, Guangxi Film Studio agreed to let this young filmmaker, who had only been working for half a year, take charge of the main film alone.

"One and Eight" is set during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is different from the past movies in which Gao Daquan was completely textbook-style heroes as the protagonists. The characters in it are either Wang Jin, the former instructor of the Eighth Route Army, who was wrongfully accused of being annihilated, or a group of criminals who were imprisoned for being a destroyer.

Originally, this group of criminals planned to escape from prison, but after Wang Jin, the instructor of the Eighth Route Army who was wrongfully imprisoned, was imprisoned in this cell, he completely destroyed the escape plan of this group of criminals. Therefore, the criminals in the prison cell hold a grudge against Wang Jin and find fault with him from time to time.

Unlike other criminals who were imprisoned for being a criminal, Wang Jin insisted on the bottom line even if he was wronged by the organization.

When Yang Qin'er, a health worker in the army, came to change the dressing for the deserter puppy, the bandit thin smoker teased her with obscene language, and was knocked to the ground by Wang Jin's punch, but in exchange for Wang Jin, he was beaten more violently.

Wang Jin, who was humiliated, did not hold a grudge against these fellow inmates, but tolerated them with a noble personality.

In the face of the enemy's encirclement and suppression, the base area is in danger. Aside from the execution of one convicted poisoner, it is a headache what to do with the other criminals whose evidence is not conclusive. Wang Jin resolutely decided to take this group of criminals who were considered scum and scum to break through and escape.

Under the strict encirclement and fire strangulation of the Japanese army, the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army who broke through were wounded and killed in battle. Wang Jin, who directed the criminals to flee, was also seriously wounded.

However, at a critical time, the prisoners began to take the initiative to fight against the Japanese army at the risk of death. During the battle, Wang Jin's cellmates, such as Lao Wantou, the big man and the big bald man, died one after another, but they exchanged for the survival of the troops and the inmates.

In the bloody battle and the arduous trek after the breakthrough, the criminals regained their own worth. They atoned for their sins by deeds, even by their lives. The remaining criminals were strongly inspired, and their thinking underwent earth-shaking changes, saying that they would no longer be enemies of the party and the people, and that they would resolutely resist it. Wang Jin regained the trust of the party and the people and continued to fight for the cause of national liberation

In November 83, the film was completed, and the young filmmakers sent the film that took more than half a year to shoot to the Ministry of Culture for review.

However, the film "One and Eight" was quickly regarded as a typical example of "spiritual pollution" and was criticized by authoritative figures at the "National Conference of Feature Film Directors of Feature Films". Therefore, for the time being, this film cannot be reviewed by the Ministry of Culture.

After "One and Eight", Zhang Yimou cooperated with Chen Kaige of Xi'an Film Studio to shoot "Yellow Earth".

In order to film "Yellow Earth", Zhang Yimou, He Qun and Chen Kaige braved the cold and walked thousands of miles in Shaanxi. Visit the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, listen to the Ansai waist drum and Xintianyou

In this film, Zhang Yimou once again revealed his photographic talent, starting to innovate in terms of color, light, composition, movement, etc., using the warm and calm loess as the tone, the soft light treatment, the simple and complete composition, and the slow movement of the camera or even not moving, which is used to "express the vastness of the sky, the depth of the earth, the water of the Yellow River pouring for thousands of miles, the national spirit of self-improvement, the shouts and strength of people radiating from the primitive ignorance, and the singing voice that emerges from the barren loess, It expresses people's destiny and feelings, and their desire and pursuit of light in ignorance and kindness. ”

"Mouzi, do you think this movie can pass the review?" He Qun was a little uneasy.

Zhang Yimou said in a sullen voice: "Who knows! ”

"Hey, we don't have a way to Hong Kong and Taiwan, if we can't pass the audit again, when will we be able to come out. And you old Mouzi, it's a big deal to go to Hong Kong, with your relationship with Zhang Shaojie, you can always have a chance to perform! Chen Kaige said with a smile.

Zhang Yimou said: "I want to rely on my own hands to work hard to succeed, and I will not rely on the back door to achieve success!" ”

"Hehe, it's not a back door. If you can really attract Hong Kong's film investment, there are some themes that are difficult to pass, and because of the relationship network of Hong Kong investment, don't you say? He Qun said with a smile.

This group of young people, who are always anxious about whether they will succeed in the future, will never know. "One and Eight", "Yellow Earth" and other films, in the near future, not only shocked the domestic film industry, but also achieved an amazing reputation in the world, representing the fifth generation of Chinese filmmakers for the first time

After the filming of "Yellow Earth" was completed, Zhang Yimou went home to see his wife Xiao Hua and daughter Zhang Mo.

Because Zhang Yimou is in his 30s, he is a lot older than other young directors, so he is more desperate to work. In order to make two movies, "One and Eight" and "Yellow Earth", Zhang Yimou did not even go home to visit his newborn daughter.

Now that the film is finished, these young directors of Beijing Film have also been given a holiday by the film studio for the New Year. It is precisely because of this that Zhang Yimou has time to go home to visit his wife and daughter.

"Mouzi, several of your film brothers said that "One and Eight" and "Yellow Earth" are rare good movies, and sooner or later they will be approved for screening, don't be discouraged!" Xiao Hua handed his daughter Zhang Mo, who was only a few months old, to him.

"Yes, I know! No discouragement, I'm calmer than anyone else! Zhang Yimou pinched Zhang Mo's face and said with a smile: "Little beauty embryo, do you want to be a father?" ”

Zhang Mo was frightened and cried.

Xiao Hua smiled angrily: "The child is only a few months old, and he can't speak!" Don't scare the kids. By the way, you go take a shower first, it smells bad. Smoke the child! ”

Zhang Yimou was stunned, thinking that when he was filming a movie, he basically didn't wash or brush, only wore rubber shoes, and didn't even wear socks for several months.

When I got home, I didn't even take a bath, I hugged the child, how could I not let the delicate little doll cry when she was smoked?

"By the way, Mouzi, these letters are from Hong Kong, and they are all sent to you, and I haven't opened the envelope yet!" Xiao Hua found a few letters in the old box at home and showed them to Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Yimou opened the envelope, and these letters were basically sent by the righteous brother Zhang Shaojie. At the same time, Zhang Shaojie gave him the latest camera, claiming to cultivate his niece's photography talent, and at the same time, Zhang Shaojie also asked for a few beautiful photos of his niece.

The other letter contained a deposit slip of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars in foreign exchange vouchers, saying that it was a filial tribute to his uncle and aunt as a sworn brother.

The third letter is about the success of Baolong Electronic Music Company's three films, "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty", "Happy Ghost" and "A Chinese Ghost Story" in the international world.

Zhang Shaojie said in the letter that Baolong Film Company needs more filmmakers like Zhang Yimou's eldest brother who have received professional education. If there are technical talents such as directors and photographers who are willing to come to Hong Kong for development, Zhang Yimou's eldest brother can be introduced to Baolong Company.

Zhang Yi looked at the letter and handed it to his wife: "My sworn brother, it's just nonsense, what are you doing with 100,000 yuan?" Am I poor and can't untie the pot? I have to return it to him quickly, the camera can collect it, but the deposit slip can't be collected! ”

Xiao Hua glanced at him and said, "This is your sworn brother honoring our father and mother, you don't count!" Saying that, Xiao Hua happily calculated: "This money came at the right time, my parents are old, and they should have money to honor them." There are also children who have just been born, and nutrition has to keep up. Also, TVs, refrigerators, etc., people in the city have them, we can also buy them."

"You" Zhang Yimou was counted by his wife Xiao Hua's pen by pen, and he couldn't help sighing in his heart. In fact, when he was out and about, his wife was pregnant and there was no care for him at home, and in addition, his wife was helping him serve his parents at home. Thinking of this, Zhang Yimou couldn't help but feel ashamed

At the same time, Zhang Yimou is more grateful to his righteous brother Zhang Shaojie. In the past few years, he has basically been busy in China, and he has not gone to Hong Kong to see his brother-in-law. It is said that he has backbone, but it is better to say that Zhang Yimou is vain, hoping to make a name for himself, become a famous director or photographer in China, and then go to Hong Kong to visit his sworn brother.

However, Zhang Yimou also knows that even if he really becomes one of the top directors in China, he is nothing compared to Zhang Shaojie. Is Zhang Shaojie's relationship with himself just a little bit of his photography talent?

Zhang Yimou laughed at himself.

Compared with Zhang Yimou, Zhang Shaojie's ideals are even more ambitious.

Zhang Yimou's ideal is to become a great director and photographer, so as to influence the entire Chinese film and television industry through his talent.

But Zhang Shaojie is a bigger stroke, a real layout of the cultural industry.

, scripts, music, film and television, animation, games, all of which were originally industries in which China did not have an advantage in the world, gradually gained international influence with Zhang Shaojie's efforts.

Although he admires Zhang Shaojie's achievements, he is still unwilling to let Zhang Yimou defect to his righteous brother at such a humble time.

"My small hope is just to make my own achievements and shine my own brilliance!" 33-year-old Zhang Yimou shouted.

(To be continued)