Zhang Guorong was silent, his eyes swaying back and forth between the script and Wu Yuan's face.

The script of this "Undertaker" is really good.

As an actor who has made dozens of movies, Zhang Guorong clearly knows that if this movie can be made and filmed at a high level, it will indeed be able to win the top three awards in Europe.

Because Europeans and Americans themselves feel mysterious about Oriental culture, if there is a movie that explores the Oriental concept of life and death and funeral culture, it is indeed enough to attract their interest.

But it takes half a year to make this movie, and it is half a year to throw away all other work, which makes Zhang Guorong hesitate.

Among the dozens of movies he has made, only two films have a preparation + shooting period of more than half a year, that is, "Farewell My Concubine" and "Springlight".

And these two works really lived up to expectations and brought him the highest artistic achievement.

Can this "Undertaker" do the same?

Looking at the unacceptably young mainland director in front of him, Zhang Guorong hesitated, but still didn't agree on the spot.

"Director Wu, thank you very much for your willingness to ask me to make a film, but the six-year schedule is not something I can decide in a few words, I'll go back and think about it first."

This result had long been expected by Wu Yuan.

He never thought that he could persuade Zhang Guorong to suspend all his work and follow him to the mainland for retreat and cultivation, which was unrealistic.

Zhang Guorong is an Asian superstar! And the shadow and song are amphibious, and there is a lot of work to be done, how can it be possible to agree to it as soon as the upper and lower lips are touched, without considering the impact at all.

"It doesn't matter, I'll be on Hong Kong Island for the next few days, and this movie won't be launched in the near future, my work in the United States is not finished yet, you have time to think about it slowly."

"That's right." Wu Yuan thought of one thing, and said with a smile on the corner of his mouth: "I heard that you also want to be a director, maybe I can help you connect with the China Film Group in the mainland?" ”

"There is no film company on Hong Kong Island willing to take over, it doesn't mean that the mainland is not welcome."

Wu Yuan knows that Zhang Guorong actually has a talent for directing.

He has participated in directing film and television works such as "The True Story of A Fei", "Golden Branches and Jade Leaves", "A Chinese Ghost Story", although he has not left a name.

And the MVs "Dreaming of the Inland River" and "Fanghua Peerless" directed by him were also shot very well.

As early as 2000, he directed a 30-minute public welfare short film, which was a promotional short film called for smoking cessation.

From the story to the director, this short film was handled by Zhang Guorong, and it only took five days to shoot at that time!

Although the film is not long, from the perspective of plot rhythm, light and shadow art, and shooting techniques, this film can fully reflect Zhang Guorong's directorial talent.

It can't be said that he doesn't have a talent for directing, on the contrary, his talent for directing is quite outstanding.

To be reasonable, later, there were so many actors in the mainland who acted and directed well, and they were able to do the job of directing well, although they couldn't make any artistic masterpieces, but it was more than enough to handle commercial films.

So why can't Zhang Guorong do it?

It's just that it's not popular in this era, actors turn careers to become directors.

According to the original trajectory, in 2002, he finally prepared the first feature film "Stealing Hearts" as a director, and all factors such as the script and actors were prepared.

As a result, the film investor's company was suddenly detained, and the funds were withdrawn, resulting in the abortion of the film shooting plan.

At this time, he was already suffering from physical depression, and this news was undoubtedly worse for him.

It's not that Zhang Guorong has no money to make his own movies, he has money, but as an actor, he can't find a film company to distribute it to him, and there is a barrier between actors and film capital, which is not so easy to break.

At least on Hong Kong Island, you can't make movies if you have money, you have to have connections, connections, and someone who is willing to pull you up and give you a chance.

In fact, the mainland is the same, if you are not from the three major universities, you can't get in touch with the major film studios at all, and it is basically impossible to be a director.

There are barriers to being a director these days, and it is difficult for even superstars to transform into directors.

After experiencing the miscarriage of this feature film, Zhang Guorong was completely depressed, and his physiology + psychology were heavy.

Later, he wrote in his autobiography: "I think I may be a little depressed, probably because I am dissatisfied with myself, dissatisfied with others, and even more dissatisfied with the world, and those days were really dark." ”

It can be seen that the shattering of the director's dream has caused an irreparable blow to him, who is already suffering from depression.

Since Wu Yuan wants to change him, of course, he must also solve some problems that may lead to psychological depression.

Don't you just want to be a director?

There are a lot of superstars on Hong Kong Island, all of whom can sell at the box office, and those film companies can't look down on a movie with "Director Zhang Guorong" on it, and they are unwilling to take the risk of box office losses.

But there is a shortage of superstars in the mainland!

If you can't do it on Hong Kong Island, it doesn't mean that the mainland can't do it!

Now that China Film is short of a new generation of directors, Han Dong is chattering every day that he hopes to have a few more directors who can sell at the box office.

China Film is happy to let Zhang Guorong go north to develop, whether he is an actor or a director, he will give support!

The three words "Zhang Guorong" can sell box office in the mainland!

Zhang Guorong's Ning Caichen doesn't know how many mainland women's white moonlight!

The "True Colors of Heroes" and "Across the Seas" filmed by him and Xiao Ma are the idols in the hearts of countless men in the mainland!

Regardless of whether he is an actor or a director, as long as his name is on the movie poster, it is worth 10 million at the box office!

If he is willing to direct and act himself, so much the better!

It's just that the two sides have been lacking a communication channel!

Zhang Guorong didn't think about contacting China Film in the mainland, and China Film didn't know that Zhang Guorong was preparing a self-directed movie.

Wu Yuan can be the mediator in the middle, it's nothing more than a matter of moving his mouth, why not?

In this way, Zhang Guorong will not have time on Hong Kong Island for the next year!

followed Wu Yuan to shoot "The Undertaker" for half a year, and worked on his own "Stealing Hearts" for half a year!

These two movies were filmed, both physically and mentally healed properly!

Depression?

Zhang Guorong, who is happily busy for his first directing movie, has no effort to be depressed at all!

I have to say that Wu Yuan's last suggestion moved Zhang Guorong fiercely.

The dream of directing is a dream he has been dreaming of since he retired from the music scene in 89.

In an interview with the media, he once said: "I think the director is the soul of the movie, and I hope that one day, I can fulfill my wish, that is, to make a movie." ”

Since 2000, he has been working hard for this dream, trying to make a short film for public welfare, which has received a good response from the industry, but the preparation of his first feature film is still very difficult.

There are almost no film companies on Hong Kong Island willing to take over this movie, and they are all persuading him to continue to be an actor, which is good, and there is no need to be a director.

At this time, Wu Yuan proposed to help him connect with China Film Group in the mainland, and it is no wonder that Zhang Guorong was not moved by this proposal!

In his heart, Zhang Guorong was already inclined to nod and promise Wu Yuan to sell him his hundred catties.

It's just that the inner sanity finally occupies the peak.

Leslie Cheung clutched the script of "The Undertaker" in his hand, stood up and smiled shyly at Wu Yuan: "Director Wu's proposal will be seriously considered." ”

"I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

After speaking, he shook hands with Wu Yuan again, signaling that he needed to leave.

He was afraid that if he didn't leave, he would really be moved by Wu Yuan's three-inch incorruptible tongue.

Wu Yuan got up to see him off, with a smile on his face: "Zhang Sheng walks slowly." ”

Nod, smile, and close the door again.

Standing at the door of the box, Zhang Guorong took a deep breath, suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart, and walked out.

Coincidentally, at this time, his song was playing in the tea restaurant.

"When the wind rises again, silently this heart no longer cares about Mercedes."

"Even if I want to go back with tears, I am willing."

"In the precious years, I am looking for the poetry in my heart."

Hearing this song, Zhang Guorong's footsteps were stunned.

"When the Wind Rises Again" is his farewell work in 1989.

At that time, Zhang Guorong thought that this song had come to an end for himself.

But as it turned out, it was just a semicolon.

And now, he is once again standing at the mouth of life's choice.

Will this choice once again put a new semicolon on his life?

He didn't know.

But he hopes.