Respawn Entertainment: Days of Glory

Chapter 920 and other rehearsals

After Duan Yu finished speaking, he stared longingly at Bian Lang.

Although he sensed that Bian Lang was somewhat distracted, he didn't dare to say anything, fearing that Bian Lang was thinking about his creative process and that he would be committing a grave offense if he interrupted his inspiration.

Only after Bian Lang came to his senses did he weakly ask, "Teacher Bian, how are you feeling?"

"Let's listen to the rehearsal live tomorrow night. Whether it works out or not, let's do it this time."

Seeing Bian Lang's confident demeanor, Duan Yu had doubts but didn't know how to express them.

After much deliberation, he politely said, "Um, would the teacher over there like to watch some videos? I think that might inspire them more."

Bian Lang waved his hand and said, "Camel called me. I trust his judgment on Director Duan's film quality. If the plot synopsis is just this kind of story, then I already have enough inspiration in my mind. Whether I watch the film or not won't make much difference!"

Bian Lang wasn't being arrogant. Based on the outline he just gave, if "Like a Jar" didn't immediately come to mind, the options were limited. It was either Liu Sen or Wan Qing, but "Kill That SJZ Man" couldn't be used for a tragedy in Northeast China, and "North China Revolution" still had a touch of romanticism in it.

So ultimately we have to come back to "Like a Jar"...

Seeing Duan Yu's unchanged expression, Bian Lang knew his concerns. If he were in Duan Yu's shoes and encountered a musician like himself who was like a charlatan, he would definitely have his own thoughts as well.

The Berlin Film Festival is less than five months away, so if we can't find a suitable film soon, then things are really going to get a bit out of hand!
"Director Duan, you'll hear it tomorrow anyway, and whether it works or not is just a matter of tomorrow. My own feeling is..." Bian Lang took a deep breath before slowly saying, "Don't let the tragedy of the times become our tragedy!"

Saying such nonsensical things to others might not resonate with them. But Duan Yu, as the director, knows perfectly well what the central theme of the film is.

The moment Bian Lang uttered this universal comment about this genre, Duan Yu, despite his thousand doubts, stopped asking any further questions. Bian Lang's ability to write on assigned topics was something he knew very well and had no need to doubt.

His only concern was that Bian Lang might not understand the core message of the film.

After all, the sorrow of that generation in Northeast China is something that can't be truly understood without experiencing it firsthand. It's hard to comprehend the helplessness of northerners migrating south and the melancholy of never being able to return. And this "never being able to return" stems from the fact that when they finally go back, the filter of "hometown" can no longer conceal the reality that the black soil has already decayed.

Especially for native Yunnanese like Bian Lang, their memories of that period should be of educated youth returning to the city after being sent to the countryside.

However, Bian Lang had so accurately summarized the core idea that he had nothing to worry about: "Okay, then I'll wait for the rehearsal tomorrow night. Is the Rolling Stones going to perform this song this time?"

"Yes, adding this song on short notice is possible, but the VJ might not have enough time to make a suitable one." Bian Lang was simply stating a fact.

He first heard the song "Like a Jar" at a music festival. Around 20 years ago, there weren't many good independent rock musicians, and Shi Yan was definitely one of them. Bian Lang only heard the first four lines and predicted that it was only a matter of time before the song became a hit.

Especially when he wore red-rimmed sunglasses and roared out the words "like a jar" on stage, Bian Lang really felt that this guy would make it sooner or later!

Later on Bilibili, some talented people actually edited together footage from this song and "Hello! Mr. Tree," which started the song's meteoric rise to fame.

Bian Lang particularly appreciates a quote from a comment: "There is no such thing as niche music, only late listeners."

Nevertheless, it is still a very niche genre. Even readers who have been following this book all this time may not all have heard of the song "Like a Jar".

Upon hearing Bian Lang's words, Duan Yu began to consider a possibility, but since the song was not yet finalized, he couldn't bring it up immediately.

Then, Bian Lang asked another question: "By the way, Director Duan, what do you think of Camel?"

Duan Yu is a straightforward person. Qiu Luo helped him in this matter, and he will remember this favor for the rest of his life. However, when it comes to professionalism, he still has his own principles: "He may not be suitable for the big screen. If you want him to be artistic, he doesn't quite reach the artistic level that the three great directors like. As for commercial films, his camera language is not suitable."

Personally, I think he should try filming some suspense dramas first to hone his skills; I feel that would suit him better!

Bian Lang understood what was going on after hearing this: "Alright, then see you tomorrow night!"

"See you tomorrow night!"

After seeing Duan Yu off, Bian Lang said to Xia Yuxi, who had been online the whole time, "Listen to this song later and see if you can handle it. This is for a film submitted to Berlin for awards. If it's selected, I plan to record two versions..."

Having said that, Xia Yuxi naturally understood Bian Lang's intention.

Whether the term "Bianlang" (边浪, meaning outwardly independent or unconventional) is a prestigious label abroad is debatable, but it certainly faces certain restrictions in China. Although it has been proven wrong, some people in China still use it as a talking point.

Sometimes, even after a year or two of official documents have been issued, if you ask someone in a certain area, they'll still say, "We haven't received the specific implementation documents yet!"

So if he agrees, there's a possibility that the domestic version of the movie will use Hedgehog's version, while the international version will use Rolling Stone's. But if there are no problems, Hedgehog's version might not make it into the movie.

If it were the old Xia Yuxi, he wouldn't have agreed to such a thing; he wouldn't have continued the conversation at all. Back then, Xia Yuxi would never have been someone's backup plan. Even if it were a pitch between men and women of similar stature, he would have thought twice before accepting it.

But now he thinks differently. If the film wins an award, no matter whose version of the soundtrack is used, if there's a need for promotional tours in China, Hedgehog will be the only option to go to the event.

"No problem, let me hear if I can sing it!"

Bian Lang didn't waste any words. He pulled Da Yong over, said a few words, and then hopped on his electric guitar and started playing...

"This is a million-dollar bride price..."

To Xia Yuxi, this was an absolute knockout from the start! It left him utterly speechless: "The only thing I can give you is tomorrow!" This was so powerful, even just listening to it was satisfying.

When the super-explosive power of the word "like a jar" was unleashed, Xia Yuxi pushed off the ground with both legs, and the small round stool with wheels almost carried him onto the drum shield.

"How awesome would it be to sing live?" But at the same time, he was also worried about one problem: that he couldn't sing with that kind of power.

When Duan Yu arrived at the rehearsal the next day, after hearing the first four lines, he could only think, "Holy crap! Awesome!" After listening to the whole song, he felt that some parts of his movie weren't as profound as this song. But that didn't matter anymore. What mattered was that he was certain this song was exactly what he wanted, and it far exceeded his expectations!

Seeing his excited expression, Chen Shuting knew that the matter was settled.

If someone else were to offer a song as investment in a movie, both sides would probably think it's absurd, but with Bianlang, it's actually possible.

Although Chen Shuting didn't know what the movie was like, she believed in Qiu Luo. If Bian Lang could really win an award at Berlin, then it would be best if he started winning awards at the Grammys and continued until the lockdown in China was lifted. The thought of that triumphant return made her feel excited.

"Director Duan, how is it?"

"Sister Chen, what am I supposed to say? Tonight, no! Right now I'm going back to the hotel and using footage from my movie to edit a VJ video for Teacher Bian!"

If a commercial film director said this, Chen Shuting would have refused outright! What kind of influence does Rolling Stone have in Europe right now? Why would they promote your film like this, especially in Europe where there's no audience for your film?

But art-house film directors are different. If they're going to be involved in a film that wins the Golden Bear, it will have a high profile overseas, no matter how it's linked to other films.

"What if there's a leak..."

Chen Shuting was just talking nonsense, but Duan Yu answered seriously: "Sister Chen, I'm telling the truth. We did that to promote the movie at the Rolling Stone event. Since the contract was signed, Rolling Stone is now a shareholder in this film, so..."

"That's fine then, but don't be in such a hurry. Let's hear what Bian Lang has to say later..."

As she spoke, Chen Shuting casually sent Liang Kuan the video of the rehearsal they had just finished.

Liang Kuan watched the director's cut of the film when he had some free time in China, just to see how amazing Bian Lang's assigned essay really was.

As it turned out, after only hearing the first few sentences, I remembered Qiu Luo's words: "If this movie were submitted to Brother Lang, he could definitely write an awesome piece of work!"

Moreover, she could already imagine the reaction when this song was released in China; if nothing unexpected happened, it would definitely be bombarded with criticism by the young women. No need to listen to anything else, just the first four lines are enough!
The term "bride price" involves two of the most sensitive terms: "men and women" and "money".

Many people view marriage as love built upon material accumulation. Therefore, the bride price is naturally considered a part of this material accumulation, and even the most important part of it.

The bride price is used as a "standard" to measure a family preparing for marriage. It can be used to judge a family's actual financial resources, background, culture, upbringing, relationships, and habits.

But saying it this way seems too utilitarian. People always like to use emotions to cover up their utilitarianism in order to gain the emotional resonance of most people.

Therefore, the bride price ostensibly represents "love" or "lack of love".

What remains of marriage, stripped of material possessions, is nothing more than pure and innocent love. Everyone has the right to love and to be loved—how wonderful that is!

But is there a standard to measure "love"?

If there were a standard to measure "love," why would men and women caught in the throes of romance be tormented to the point of death, unaware of where they lost their love or how to win it back?

Then we have no choice but to measure love by material things.

This sounds like a huge irony about love. But what can measure love without material things? A promise embellished with a few meaningless words?
Or is it the kind of bias that comes with intense love, where one is willing to be an enemy of the world just for you? It seems that only tangible material things can escape the ravages of time and be preserved.

Therefore, betrothal gifts are merely a way to measure love, a common aspect of marriage.

ridiculous!

But those who are fixated on the amount of the bride price, those unreasonable parents and overly demanding brides—do they really care about love and marriage? Ask yourselves honestly, do they care about the choices they make in their own lives?
There's no need to make arbitrary conclusions like "demanding a bride price is necessary" or "demanding a bride price is wrong."

Going to extremes is often the best manifestation of incompetence. These people who go to extremes can't explain their choices in life, the meaning of love, or their plans for the future. So how "carefree" and "easy" it is for them to go to extremes!

Dowry is a form of etiquette, and its existence is neither right nor wrong. Etiquette is necessary in interpersonal interactions, and it is certainly a proper and polite act to give dowry when facing such a major life event as marriage.

However, the song begins with a blatant mention of 100 million, used to represent a vow to love you only!

This will surely resonate with countless heartbroken men and women who are stuck on the threshold of bride price.

Dowry is money.

Who doesn't want money? Perhaps people don't consider betrothal gifts to be a reasonable custom; they're more like a way to gain tangible benefits. So they fight tooth and nail over civilized etiquette, ending up in a pathetic state, while still chanting, "We must uphold this custom."

One side desperately demands, while the other desperately resists; under the guise of love, the ugliness of money will inevitably be exposed, resulting in a draw.

"If Chu Chu and Bian Lang get married in the future and this dowry issue comes up, that would be quite interesting... I wonder what kind of work Bian Lang would have to produce for Chu Chu to feel that the dowry is sincere enough..."

So Bian Lang's sarcastic remark is about a motive: if one demands a bride price for personal gain, no matter what excuse is used—whether it's to secure a livelihood or to build a future—it violates the premise of trust and makes one a coward who abandons love.

These things may seem absurd to onlookers, but only those who are involved can understand the thoughts and helplessness behind them.

Bian Lang's song was clearly written from a male perspective, so it was bound to provoke criticism. Moreover, considering the plot of the movie, Liang Kuan also felt quite excited.

"If they win an award, the hype surrounding this will be absolutely spectacular!"

If the Golden Bear award didn't have one for film scores, Leung Kwan would have dared to say that "Bian Lang" could have been submitted for consideration!
Having thought all this through, she took another sip of Bo Ya Jue Xian tea, then sent the contract with the film company to Zhang Fan for final verification...

(End of this chapter)