Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 810 Falling in love and killing each other
In fact, there were some reasons that Chen Kaige did not tell Fang Minghua.

The movie "The Emperor and the Assassin" he shot last year was a failure.

This epic blockbuster, which cost 8000 million RMB and brought together many domestic celebrities such as Gong Li, Zhang Fengyi, Li Xuejian and Wang Zhiwen, has not yet been released to the public, but it premiered at the Great Hall of the People on October 1998 last year (10) and was criticized by the audience and the media.

Finally, the main producer, Yanjing Film Studio, decided to postpone the release and asked Chen Kaige to revise it.

This caught him by surprise.

I want to make an epic blockbuster, which must be not only artistic but also a box office success!

How could this be?
The blow left him stunned. Although the movie was revised in the end, Chen Kaige's Taoist heart had been shattered.

What made him even sadder was that a senior producer in the industry said to him: Kaige, we have no problem with you making art films, but this is not how commercial films are made. No, you still have to learn. "

As a result, I happened to hear Jiang Wen talk about this news some time ago, and suddenly I had the idea of ​​going to the United States to direct.

If Zhang Yimou can learn it, why can't I, Chen Kaige, learn it?

Let’s compete again when we make a blockbuster movie in the future!
Fang Minghua actually knew a little about Chen Kaige's thoughts.

Historically, Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou fought each other for decades, loving and hating each other.

But for Chinese audiences, it may not be a bad thing.

Zhang Yimou has returned from his studies and Chen Kaige is going again, which is a good thing.

Now that Chen Kaige himself had taken the initiative to ask, Fang Minghua hesitated for a moment and said, "Director Chen, I think you are suitable. Let me contact my wife and tell her your idea. Please wait."

Fang Minghua did not hesitate, picked up the phone on the coffee table and dialed Song Tangtang's number.

In the United States, Song Tangtang bought another mobile phone for convenience.

But surprisingly, no one answered.

It should be around seven o'clock in the evening in New York now, maybe she is busy.

Fang Minghua told Chen Kaige about the situation.

"No rush, I still have to stay in Xijing for a few days." Chen Kaige said, "Then I'll take my leave first, and tell me if there is any news." Then he left his mobile phone number.

"Director Chen, don't leave in a hurry, let's have lunch." Fang Minghua greeted him warmly.

"You're welcome. I'm going to look for Yimou. I haven't seen him for a long time. I want to have a chat."

"Do you know Yi Mou's contact information?" Fang Minghua asked.

"I know his cell phone number."

Not long after Fang Minghua sent Chen Kaige away, Song Tangtang called back.

"Minghua, I was having dinner and didn't hear you. Is there something wrong?"

"Chen Kaige came to see me." Fang Minghua told Song Tangtang what had happened.

"Huh? He wants to come to the United States to direct? Sure, he's also an award-winning director, not much worse than Zhang Yimou. It's a pity that he's not from our Shengshi Film and Television." Song Tangtang said.

"The bigger the picture, they are all Chinese directors anyway, there can't be only one Zhang Yimou in this generation."

"I know, I'm just talking. I still need to inform Wu Tianmin about this matter. After all, he is the Chinese producer of this film."

Wu Tianmin's daughter stayed in the United States after graduating, so Wu Tianmin did not come back after finishing the film.

"Don't worry, Chen Kaige is also half a disciple of Wu Tianmin, he will definitely not have any objections."

"Oh, there's one more thing. Yesterday I received an email from the company saying that Zhang Yuan, the director who was just released from the ban by the State Administration of Film, wanted to make a new film and asked the company to invest. It was said that you agreed to it. I think I heard you mention him." "This kid, why don't you just come to me directly? Why go around in such a big circle?" Fang Minghua laughed and scolded, "I did agree."

Fang Minghua briefly explained what happened.

It was the summer of the year before last when Jia Zhangke directed "Xiao Wu". In order to get it approved smoothly, Fang Minghua not only served as the producer of the film, but also made a special trip to find the staff of the Film Bureau.

After the film was successfully approved, Jia Zhangke thanked Fang Minghua for inviting him to dinner and also invited several good friends including Zhang Yuan and Lou Ye to join him.

During the dinner, Zhang Yuan complained that the leaders of the Film Bureau were stubborn and conservative, which caused all his films to be banned. Fang Minghua said that even if your film passed the review, no one would watch it, which made Zhang Yuan very dissatisfied.

He said that after the ban was lifted, he would make a movie to prove his worth and asked Shengshi Film and Television to invest in it. Fang Minghua agreed readily.

Now that Zhang Yuan and others have been released from the ban, they came to find him as expected.

"Tangtang, just invest in him and let him shoot the movie. This guy's movies are terrible at the domestic box office, but they're okay internationally. At least he can break even and even win an award." Fang Minghua expressed his opinion.

"I'm worried that they might shoot some banned film again." Song Tangtang said.

"No, he has just been released from the ban and needs to behave himself for a while." Fang Minghua explained: "Ask the company to review his script again."

"Okay, that's settled."

In the afternoon, Fang Minghua received a call from Zhang Yimou.

"Minghua, Kaige is coming to Xijing. I heard he went to your place this morning. I want to treat him to dinner tonight and invite you and a few friends to come and keep him company. Do you have time?"

"Okay," Fang Minghua agreed readily, "Where?"

"Just at the old place, Xijing Restaurant. The private room has been booked. I'll text you."

"it is good."

Around five in the afternoon, Fang Minghua said goodbye to the nanny and left the courtyard. Knowing that he was going to drink, he did not drive but took a taxi directly.

In addition to Fang Minghua, there are Lu Wei, Gu Changwei, Zhao Jiping, Tao Jing, and Hou Yong. These are the backbones of the former Xi'an Film Studio. Of course, they are all employees of Shengshi Film and Television now.

Chen Kaige is also very familiar with these people.

Hou Yong, Gu Changwei, Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige were all classmates at YFD. Lu Wei, Zhao Jiping and Tao Jing were not only members of Zhang Yimou's creative team, but also had worked with Chen Kaige.

"Farewell My Concubine" which Chen Kaige is proud of, was written by Lu Wei, photographed by Gu Changwei, composed by Zhao Jiping, and recorded by Tao Jing!

This banquet became a gathering of old friends. Everyone talked about the past and laughed happily. Of course, they congratulated Chen Kaige on his plan to direct in the United States.

Chen Kaige was very sober.

"Hey, what's there to congratulate? Yimou, Tao Jing, both of you have been there. To put it bluntly, we will go there as students and learn how to make commercial blockbusters from the Americans!"

"Now, Yimou has returned from his studies. What are you planning to shoot?" Chen Kaige said, looking at Zhang Yimou who was sitting next to him.

"I haven't thought it through yet." Zhang Yimou said vaguely, and then changed the topic and asked casually, "Kaige, I heard that the production of your film "The Emperor and the Assassin" has been completed. When will it be released?"

"Well, let's not talk about it. I guess it was a failure." Chen Kaige shook his head and picked up the wine glass and drank it all.

Everyone was surprised to hear this.

Unlike Zhang Yimou who is usually a humble person, Chen Kaige is very high-profile in doing things and it is rare to see him so depressed.

Is it because of drinking?

Of course, everyone also vaguely guessed why Chen Kaige would suddenly go abroad to make movies like Zhang Yimou.

(End of this chapter)