As a screenwriter, it is very rare to be favored by a big director. It's just that if the identity of the director who favors him is too unimaginable, then for the screenwriter, he will also feel that this kind of thing is a little too incredible.

This is the case for Zhuang Wenqiang - he didn't expect that he would suddenly receive a call from Hong Fatzi, let alone that the person who wanted him to write the script was not Hong Fatzi's company, nor a Hong Kong director, but someone from Hollywood.

"We've been working with Hollywood directors a bit lately," Fat Hong said in a rather tough tone on the phone, not giving him any room for opposition at all, "They want us to write them a gangster movie, Nicholas. Director Levy personally asked you to write some scripts, you think about it yourself, and then come to Japan to meet me with a decent plan - this is an opportunity to work with Hollywood, the benefits are indispensable to you, be prepared, don't embarrass me. ”

After Hong Fatzi finished speaking, he hung up the phone, and did not give Zhuang Wenqiang any room for opposition. But after hanging up the phone, Zhuang Wenqiang felt that this matter was quite incredible.

In his own capacity, it is already incredible to be able to receive a call from Hong Fatzi, and what he said on the phone is even more unimaginable. Nicholas. Director Levy, looking for yourself to write the script? It's October, not April Fool's Day!

Zhuang Wenqiang is not a person who lacks self-confidence, he is very confident in his talent in writing scripts, and he also believes that he will usher in success one day, but no matter how great his confidence is, he just believes that he can be like a fish in water in the Hong Kong film circle and go to Hollywood, which is a completely different world.

Hollywood is the most developed film region in the world, and as an insider, Zhuang Wenqiang knows very well how big the gap between Hong Kong and Hollywood films is. He had also heard Levy's name, and he had also seen the films written and directed by Levy. The storyboard transitions in those movies are smooth and natural. There are so many details that echo before and after, while he, who is also a screenwriter, is deeply admired, he also knows how big the gap between himself and Hollywood is. Such a person asks himself to write a script, no matter how you look at it, it feels a little strange.

Isn't this really kidding yourself?

"If you want to write, you will write, what are you afraid of! Director Levy said that he wanted a gangster-themed movie, and he couldn't even watch movies with this kind of theme written by Americans, and he liked gangster movies in Hong Kong, so let you write, we in Hong Kong write well in this regard. What are you afraid of? ”

With a nervous mood, he called Hong Fatzi, but all he got was a scolding. Although this proves that it is true, Zhuang Wenqiang is still not happy. Obviously, Hong Fatzi hopes to work with Hollywood people, and in order to curry favor with foreign directors, he is also willing to squeeze Hong Kong screenwriters.

It's just that where is this script so good? Zhuang Wenqiang smiled bitterly at this. Levy said that he couldn't look at American gangster films, but Zhuang Wenqiang believed it: It is very common for a big director to have a high vision, especially Levy's films pay more attention to connotation. I don't like to make my own movies into purely commercial films. It's not easy for gangster movies to write depth of story.

He came to Hong Kong people because Hong Kong people dig more in this area! Compared with the fact that the United States can easily create a large-scale shootout scene, Hong Kong's financial and material resources are insufficient. So when it comes to making films, you do dig a little deeper in other ways. But is Hong Kong stronger than the United States? Zhuang Wenqiang didn't dare to guarantee it.

Let's just say that in the theme of gangster films, the United States has Martin. Scorsese is such a god-like figure, and he also has the godfather of the greatest movie in film history. These movies all have a box office. There are also in-depth works, and if these things are there, you can know it. How high is the level of Hollywood. Where is it so easy to write a script that satisfies Levy?

But now, if Levy is not satisfied, Hong Fat Man will not be satisfied. If Hong Fatzi is not satisfied...... With his status in Hong Kong, he will soon be unlucky.

What kind of script should I write to satisfy him?

Zhuang Wenqiang pondered rather painfully, and suddenly, a thought crossed his heart.

I don't have a good script, but my old friend Mak Zhaohui seems to have mentioned to him that he wants to shoot a gangster film of the two-male type, Mak Zhaohui's talent and ability, he has always been trustworthy, maybe his script can satisfy Hong Fatzi?

It's just that it's okay to rashly recommend Mak Siu-fai? Mak Siu-fai has just collaborated with himself on Wish Tree and Farewell Love, but these two movies are works that have neither word-of-mouth nor box office. Now Mak Zhaohui has also entered a low point in his life, it seems that his idea has been shown to several companies, but no one is willing to shoot - now I go to him again, saying that his script is okay, can Hong Fatzi believe it? If the fat man starts a fire......

It's a real dilemma. Zhuang Wenqiang paced, thinking left and right, and couldn't make up his mind for a long time. This is a big deal for me, for Hung Fatzi, and for Mak Siu-fai......

He suddenly remembered that Mak Zhaohui said that if this movie can't be made again, he is likely to quit the circle.

Thinking of this, Zhuang Wenqiang also made up his mind, he picked up the phone and dialed the number.

This is an opportunity for Mak Siu-fai to turn over, he is now about to come up with the idea of launching the film industry, how can he not help him? offended Hong Fatzi, it's a big deal to go to the mainland by himself, if Mak Zhaohui quits the film industry, it will be a loss to the film industry.

Since we're friends, I have to help to the end -- but I hope your script can be liked by Hollywood --

"I love this script."

Sitting opposite Levy, with a hint of nervousness and anxiety, the two of them waited for Levy's verdict. And when they heard Levy's words, both of them felt an indescribable feeling in their hearts: first, it was relaxation, and they didn't have to worry about their future. Second, it is gratifying and proud, their script has been favored by Hollywood directors.

Mak Siu-fai's expression is especially so: although this movie, called Infernal Affairs, is still only the first draft, and it can even be said that it is not a complete story, but this is his hard work.

The main story line in the script. The composition of the context, the logical concept, and even some of the bridges, endings, and structures have been arranged, and some details have even been drawn into the shots. Such a script can be said to be very rare in Hong Kong-made films, and many story structures and scenes in Hong Kong-made films can be changed at any time. It needs to be arranged according to the time and preferences of the actors, and it is rare to find a movie script that has been arranged well in advance like this.

The quality of a script can be seen a lot in the preparation of the first step. This script has not been further processed and organized, and there are still many things that can be improved, but it itself is already very mature, and such a script is worthy of Mak Zhaohui's pride.

"If you like it, if you like. These two stinky boys, not to mention writing a mature script, will come out to meet people with a draft, but fortunately, Mr. Levy is generous. I don't care about you, otherwise, I want you to look good. ”

Do you think this is the kind of movie that is written in a week?

The fat man who was sitting on the side responded with a haha, but his words. The two of them smiled helplessly, and when they raised their heads, Mak Zhaohui found out. Seeing the same look on Levy's face, Mak Zhaohui was pleasantly surprised: It's rare for Hollywood directors to understand the misunderstandings of Hong Kong films.

"Whether this script is immature or not, I can better see the creative ideas of the two of them, and I can be more convinced of the excellence of this script. Second, if I want to make a movie, even if the two of you have written the script, I have to change it to the American version, and there are a lot of things that need to be changed, and being able to know what is the general framework that cannot be moved is obviously more beneficial to my film. Levy opened his mouth and spoke for the two writers, "I haven't asked for your permission yet, can I make major changes?" ”

"If you want to change it, you can change it for the better, the movie script still has to serve the movie, why do you need the script if you can't make a movie?"

Hong Fatzi rushed to open his mouth again, so that Mak Zhaohui's opposition did not dare to speak out.

"If you need to, you can change it, anyway, the script was sold to you, it's your thing." Mak Zhaohui nodded, but his expression was a little lost: as a director, it is not such an honorable thing to sell the script he wanted to shoot. And other directors are talking about revising their own scripts in front of them, which is too distressing for a screenwriter.

If you don't sell scripts, how long will you have to wait before you have the opportunity to shoot on the street?

Levi seemed to see his expression and spoke again.

"Mr. Mai, maybe you misunderstood. I bought the filming rights of the North American version of this script, and if Hong Kong people want to shoot the Hong Kong version, I will not object. What you sold me was only the adaptation rights of the North American version, and if you want to shoot the Hong Kong version of the story yourself, I would also like to see how the film in the hands of the original author will be different. ”

"Can I still shoot?" Levy's words seemed to give Mak Zhaohui a great comfort - he had no intention of selling abroad, if so, wouldn't he be tantamount to selling nothing? It's really a surprise, "Can I shoot him?" ”

"Of course, and, I believe, there will be investors in Hong Kong who will be willing to invest in your film -- am I right, Mr. Hung?"

"Of course, a movie that Mr. Levy can value, so can there be anything wrong with that?"

Levy's promise was only a verbal one, but now that even Fat Hong had promised, it made Mak Zhaohui feel completely different: he knew very well how much Fat Hong's help would have a great effect on him. What Levy said was not perfunctory, but really helping himself and wanting to make this movie for himself.

Could it be that he really turned over?

"Thank you very much, Mr. Levy......" Knowing that this was Levy's credit, Mak Zhaohui also hurriedly thanked Levy, but at this time, there was still a question that was entangled in his mind, "Excuse me, why are you helping me so much?" ”

"Because of this film -- this script, he deserves it." Levy paused, "And you're worth it—why not help someone who loves movies?" (To be continued......)