Here I have to talk about Chen Kaige's wisdom, you must know in the previous life. Since Chen Kaige became famous in the world in one fell swoop, his film works have begun to fall, first "Wuji", which was scolded by the mouth, and then "Anita Mui", which has a reputation but no box office, and then "Zhao's Orphan", which has been criticized, it can be said that none of his works in the future can surpass this "Farewell My Concubine", so that people commented that he said "Jiang Lang is exhausted".

Of course, it was Chen Kaige in his previous life, and the current one is definitely different, because he met Chen Xuanting!

"Boss Chen, you still won't invite me in? My legs are sore! Chen Kaige joked.

Chen Xuanting smiled: "Rude and rude!" Hurry up and get in! ”

Invite Chen Kaige to enter.

Chen Kaige said: "Actually, I also have nothing to do but go to the Three Treasures Palace, so desperately looking for you to have something to ask for!" ”

Seeing that Chen Kaige said so politely, Chen Xuanting laughed and said: "You and I are not both outsiders, just open your mouth if you have something, don't talk so politely!" ”

Chen Kaige hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm here to ask for funds!" ”

"Asking for money?"

"Yes - of course, not for myself, but for my friends, they have a drama to shoot, but they don't have enough funds, so - no way, who asked me to boast in front of them that you boss Chen is a generous and bold person-"

"Hehe, are you putting a high hat on me?" Chen Xuanting smiled and handed over a cup of coffee.

Chen Kaige took the coffee a little unnaturally, and said, "I'm - cough cough, don't squeeze me!" ”

"Well, look at your blushing face—you're going to tell me who your friend is, right?" Chen Xuanting took a sip of coffee gently.

As soon as Chen Kaige heard this, he knew that there was a play, and hurriedly said: "That person was originally the director and director of Xi'an Film Factory, but he resigned from his position two years ago and went to the United States for further study, and now he is back to continue to be a director, his name is Wu Tianming!" ”

"Wu Tianming?" Chen Xuanting thought about it for a while, and seemed to have some impressions, this person seems to have directed "Old Well", which won the Best Feature Film Award and Best Director Award at the 8th Golden Rooster Awards in 1988, the Feature Film Award at the 2nd Tokyo International Film Festival, and the Special Jury Award at the 7th Hawaii International Film Festival.

"Since he is the director of Western Film, he can use his own factory funds to film! How can you ask me? Chen Xuanting said in surprise.

"You don't know, the West Film Studio is also carrying out reforms now, and of course the films supported by the general policy can get funds, but if you want to start a movie by yourself and shoot the drama you want to shoot, then there is no way, you can find investment by yourself, so many directors of the West Film Studio have almost become salesmen who pull funds!"

Chen Xuanting sighed for a while, "It seems that it is not easy for filmmakers in the mainland!" ”

Chen Kaige opened his mouth and said in his heart, you just knew, you thought this was an iron rice bowl, and who knows how difficult it is for us.

continued: "Another thing I want to explain to you is that this time Director Wu Tianming is not asking for funds for himself, but for his apprentices-"

Chen Xuanting almost squirted out the coffee, what is this, one turn and one corner, is it messy?

Chen Kaige also saw what Chen Xuanting meant, and hurriedly explained: "No way, this is China's national condition, no matter if you do big or small things, you like to rely on relationships to find favors." ”

Chen Xuanting nodded in understanding.

"I'm not a problem, but I really want to know what kind of scene they're going to make, and who the director is who wants to invest money-"

"That's no problem, I'll take you there now!" Chen Kaige said happily.

…………………….

Yanjing Huairou area.

In the future, it will be the most prosperous film and television shooting base in Yanjing, and it will be the filming location of the new "Dream of Red Mansions" and "Journey to the West".

When Chen Xuanting was led here by Chen Kaige, a big drama that looked like the "Republic of China" was being filmed here. The reason why it is said to be very Republican is because those who are running tricks around are basically wearing coats and walking around in a sway.

Not far away, two cameras are set up, and the cameras rustle and glide along the track. A few people around who looked like actors were frowning and reciting their lines.

And those who are acting are very professionally in accordance with the positions assigned by the director, meticulously doing the actions of playing the roles.

Chan found it interesting, after all, the filming method in the mainland is slightly different from that in Hong Kong. Hong Kong because of efficiency, sometimes you don't need actors to perform according to the script when filming, you can add some of your own ideas when performing, of course, only slightly add some, and pass it again and again during filming, you don't need to desperately ng, but when filming in the mainland, actors are simply the director's pawns, and what role you arrange, you have to perform according to the script, and your unauthorized addition or subtraction of lines is a very big mistake. The director will never allow it.

To put it bluntly, the reason why Hong Kong was able to produce so many excellent film actors, while the mainland had very few outstanding actors in the 90s, is because of the constraints of this filming system.

While Chen Xuanting was in reverie, he suddenly heard a crisp voice, "Boss Chen, why are you here?" ”

Immediately, I saw a beautiful woman with Shandong style standing in front of Chen Xuanting.

This woman is none other than the most popular female star in the mainland - Gong Li!

Seeing Gong Li, Chen Xuanting also felt a little surprised, but when he thought about the relationship between Gong Li and director Chen Kaige, he was relieved. After all, Gong Li starred in "Farewell My Concubine", and Chen Kaige was the director, and the two were estimated to be in constant contact. And he and Gong Li are also acquaintances, seeing people greeting him, Chen Xuanting smiled very casually: "I should ask you this sentence, why are you here?" ”

Gong Li sneered, "I'm an actor, of course I'm filming here!" ”

"Filming?" Chen Xuanting looked around, "Are you the starring role in this play?" ”

"Of course, it's still the crew!"

"Hehe, I don't know who has such an eye to invite you as a big star!" Chen Xuanting joked.

"The man with the eye is there!" Gong Li suddenly pointed not far away.

Chen Xuanting looked in the direction she was pointing, and saw an older man in front of him throwing a tantrum at a short-haired man.

"What are you doing?! It's just a mess! I've been filming more than half of the good scenes, and now I'm telling you not to do it! It just doesn't make sense! ”

"I know you're under pressure, but as I said, I'll carry everything, you just have to film! I, Wu Tianming, have pasted my whole old face into it, and I will definitely find you the funds for filming, what about you, you don't have to worry about anything, you take care of the filming! ”

Wu Tianming? It turns out that he is the mentor of the Chinese director industry, Wu Tianming, the director of the Western Film Studio.

Chen Xuanting looked at the guy who was rushed again, and if he didn't look at it, he couldn't help but be surprised, because that person was not an outsider, but he was the number one director in China in the future - Zhang Yimou!

Could it be that he is the director who wants to invest in filming? !

Chen Xuanting was stunned, and hurriedly asked Gong Li beside him, "That one must be Director Zhang Yimou, right?" ”

Gong Li smiled: "I didn't expect you to even know him, yes, he is the director Zhang Yimou who filmed "Red Sorghum" and "Alive"——"

Chen Xuanting, who is good at observation, found that Gong Li obviously had some strange emotions on his face when he talked about "Zhang Yimou", and then thought of some emotional rumors about the two of them in his previous life, Chen Xuanting couldn't help but feel funny, he was too gossipy, an actor and a director, and it was inevitable that they would love each other for a long time.

"I wonder what the name of the movie you're making now?" Chen Xuanting continued to ask.

"Oh, it's an adaptation of a novel called "Shake, Shake, Shake to Grandma's Bridge." Gong Li said casually.

Chen Xuanting was stunned. It turned out to be this play.

In his previous life, "Shake, Shake, Shake to Grandma's Bridge" was director Zhang Yimou's attempt in the field of commercial films.

The film is set in old Shanghai, and strives to show the darkness of people's surnames through the story of gangster fighting, and at the same time intersperses the plots used in gangster-themed films such as cheating and burying alive and hiding power struggles to attract audiences.

After the release of the film, some critics believed that due to Zhang Yimou's unfamiliarity with Shanghai culture, coupled with the conflict between commercial dreams and the real environment, the film did not receive the expected effect after its release.

But other critics and industry insiders believe that this is a masterpiece of the Chinese mainland. The theme is very dark and desperate, and it was later revealed that when the film was filmed, the relationship between Zhang Yimou and Gong Li was in a huge crisis.

But despite this, the film completes the narrative of a desperate theme with great innovation, especially the kind of background of the reincarnation of fate and the squalor of power shown in the film.

After the release of the film, it caused great repercussions overseas, although this film was considered by Zhang Yimou to be one of his failures, but various overseas reviews and awards were not the case at all. The first time he came into contact with the theme of urban gangsters, Zhang Yimou set a very high benchmark.

Years later, the mainstream commentaries' evaluation of Zhang Yimou slowly changed. There is a growing opinion that this is an artistic masterpiece in the guise of a gangster; And the narrow-mindedness of the Shanghai critics at that time was finally exposed to the sands of history. When they commented that Zhang Yimou didn't understand Shanghai, they actually misread the movie.

Just when Chen Xuanting was thinking about this drama in his previous life, he saw Chen Kaige, Wu Tianming, and Zhang Yimou coming over.

"Come, Director Wu, let me introduce to you, this is Mr. Chen Xuanting, a famous Hong Kong filmmaker who once helped me and Hong Kong's premier entertainment tycoon!" Chen Kaige introduced.

"Fortunately, Mr. Chen is here is an honor for our crew!" Wu Tianming held Chen Xuanting's hand tightly and said.

"This one is Director Wu's Gao Zu, and he is also Comrade Zhang Yimou, a famous director in the mainland film industry today!" Chen Kaige introduced Zhang Yimou to Chen Xuanting again.

That Zhang Yimou didn't seem to be good at talking, he just smiled when he heard the introduction, and when Chen Xuanting stretched out his hand, he hurriedly stretched out his hand to shake it. Then he said, "Nice to meet you!" ”

"Okay, I've already introduced the person to you, Director Wu, Director Zhang, if you have anything to say, just tell Mr. Chen, he is a warm-hearted person, and he will definitely help!" Chen Kaige said on the side.

Now that the skylight has been opened, everyone will no longer greet and be polite, and will speak directly.

Wu Tianming said: "Mr. Chen, to put it simply, this time my apprentice Zhang Yimou is shooting a commercial film, according to the regulations of our film studio, you can't invest in this kind of movie, even if you invest a little money...... Yimou is very talented, he is a good hand at shooting literary films, and he can shoot commercial films, this is really the first time that a big girl has been married, so many investors outside dare not invest in him, and this drama can be filmed until now It is also the money we squeezed out of our teeth to shoot. In addition, we all know that you have great powers, and we would like to use your power to help you in the distribution channels of this play, and it is best to try to release it in Hong Kong-"

After listening to Wu Tianming's words, Chen Xuanting had to praise him, he was worthy of being the director of the factory, and he was very thoughtful in doing things. I want to borrow money from myself for filming, but I also want to help me distribute the film. If the film is released well, then borrowing his own money can be repaid quickly, and if the distribution is not good, he also has an excuse to delay.

However, Chen Xuanting is a person, he already knows everything about this situation, and said with a smile: "Director Wu is right, but I am a businessman, even if I really want to invest, I have to see if this drama is worth it-"

As soon as he heard this, Wu Tianming pushed Zhang Yimou out, "Yimou, you should explain the content of this play to Mr. Chen in detail." ”

Zhang Yimou scratched his head honestly and said: "This, there is nothing to say, it is to tell a story about the beach." ”

Chen Xuanting waited, but Zhang Yimou stopped talking.

"Finished?"

"Well, it's over."

Chen Xuanting fainted, he knew that this Zhang Yimou was not good at words, but he didn't expect that such a three-stick couldn't beat a fart!

"Ahem, Director Zhang, I am very dissatisfied with your answer like this, but it doesn't matter, I watched it for a while just now, there is a problem with your play-"

As soon as Chen Xuanting said this, Zhang Yimou was curious, "What's the problem?" ”

Chen Xuanting: "As a commercial film, this drama will definitely not be a blockbuster, to put it bluntly, that is, there is no box office, and I am bound to lose money when I invest!" ”

Chen Xuanting's words hurt Zhang Yimou's self-esteem, and his face turned a little red and said: "Mr. Chen, I respect you as a filmmaker, and you may help me, I didn't expect you to look at my work so much, yes, this "Shake and Shake to Grandma's Bridge" is my transformation work, I am still in the exploration stage of business and art, but you can't insist that this drama loses money!" ”

Chen Xuanting laughed again, "I haven't finished my words yet, I said that this drama will lose money, but in terms of artistic achievements, it will win awards!" ”

Zhang Yimou chuckled in his throat, almost choked on Chen Xuanting's words, and a trace of surprise appeared on his face.

The other people next to them looked at them and said in their hearts, look at Boss Chen, he is worthy of doing great things, just two or three simple sentences, which made the great director Zhang Yimou cry and laugh.

"Mr. Chen, where did you start with this?" Zhang Yimou asked cheekily.

Chen Xuanting smiled and said, "It's very simple. Although you said that this is your transformation work, it is fundamentally a commercial packaging literary film. ”

Zhang Yimou was stunned, and suddenly said: "Mr. Chen, who knows me, is also!" How would you have imagined that? ”

Because from the beginning of Zhang Yimou's filming of this drama, many people had the intention of watching jokes about his transformation, but no one saw that this was actually a literary drama.

"Okay, don't ask me why I know this, why I know you so well, you just need to know that I will invest in this film, and I also want to invite you to be an art consultant for a film that I am shooting!"

Immediately afterwards, Chen Xuanting told Zhang Yimou about the "Avatar" he was filming. Zhang Yimou immediately expressed his interest after listening to it, and hoped to join the play. Chen Xuanting wants this sentence, his money can't be invested in vain, how can he earn back a big director.

Chen Xuanting saw that everyone was very enthusiastic, so he said that he would hold a banquet at the Yanjing Hotel tonight, hoping to invite famous filmmakers from the mainland to attend.

Wu Tianming, Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, and Gong Li agreed one after another, and promised to invite many friends to participate. Let's ask, who is Chen Xuanting, he is not eager to feast guests.

Soon, Chen Xuanting received the name to participate in the evening banquet, and there were many people, which made Chen Xuanting a little stunned. However, he still understands the etiquette when he comes to the mainland.

Therefore, he drove directly to Andy Lau's largest gold store in Yanjing, and asked the store to order fifty gold pens within three hours! And the name of the guest is engraved on the gold pen.

The manager of the store was very happy to receive such a large order, but it was too difficult to engrave his name on the gold pen, especially in such a short period of time.

"I'm sorry, sir, I'm afraid it's hard for us to do it, can we delay it for a day, don't worry, we will help you finish it!" The manager of the gold store didn't want to lose such a big order, so he said tactfully.

Chen Xuanting shook his head and gave Andy Lau a look, Andy Lau didn't say a word, took out a check and handed it over.

When the manager saw the amount of the check, he was immediately dumbfounded, and then he stammered, "This is—this is ......"

"As long as you do what I ask, it's yours!" Chen Xuanting stopped talking and turned to leave.

The manager in the back took the check from the Hong Kong HSBC bank and said excitedly: "We will definitely do it!" "For the sake of this check, you have to do it to the death! Because the amount Chen Xuanting gave them was ten times the original price!

(To be continued)