A widower's entertainment

Chapter 365 [The Reader's Choice] (Please Subscribe)
Xinghua Hutong, Beijing.

Lin Youcheng did not feel obligated to participate in Chen Aige's film "Farewell My Concubine" simply because he thought the film had a chance of winning the Palme d'Or. After all, his current status as a writer and screenwriter did not require this film to enhance his resume.

Not to mention that "Atonement" won him the Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival, Hou Xiaoxian's later film "Love" might have made a stunning debut at the three major film festivals even faster than "Farewell My Concubine". After all, "Love" did not have the long pre-production period of "Farewell My Concubine", nor did it require the actors to spend half a year learning Peking Opera.

Not to mention, there's "Everyday," which was released in Hollywood, and "The Truman Show," produced by Paramount Pictures, all of which are proof of his status as an internationally acclaimed screenwriter.

Of course, Chen Aige asked Lin Youcheng for his opinion, and he would give his opinion as well, since he was very familiar with the play "Farewell My Concubine".

"After talking to you about this, I feel I have more ideas about the play 'Farewell My Concubine' now. I'll have to talk to Lu Wei about it later."

Clearly, the results Lin Youcheng presented are all part of the final story of "Farewell My Concubine." To some extent, Lu Wei will also write them into the script, and fight scenes will appear in every scene. Lin Youcheng is just giving some answers after discussions. Of course, whether they will choose to do so depends on Chen Aige and Lu Wei.

"Brother Lin, thank you!"

Chen Aige was naturally very grateful to Lin Youcheng. Then, mentioning Li Shaohong's "The Reader," she couldn't help but ask, "Shaohong's 'The Reader' is still in talks with Jiang Wen, but I think Jiang Wen will agree. His 'In the Heat of the Sun' hasn't even started filming yet, and he wants to film 'The Reader'? I don't know when that will happen."

Lin Youcheng himself was naturally not in a hurry and said, "As you know, I gave you 'Atonement' before, and Jiang Wen also wanted to film 'The Dog' before, and then he told me about 'The Reader'. I certainly can't let him off the hook, so I'll give it to Li Shaohong."

Chen Aige also knew this. He was very glad that Lin Youcheng had asked him to direct "Atonement". Otherwise, it would not have won two major awards at the Cannes Film Festival. Although it did not win the Palme d'Or, the praise from film critics after the domestic release of "Atonement" made him very clear that he had made a good film. Not to mention that the film was also very popular abroad and was submitted for review for the Oscars and Golden Globes.

"Shao Hong should be able to reach an agreement."

Lin Youcheng didn't say anything when he heard Chen Aige's words. He wasn't in a hurry. Even if they didn't film it now, the influence of the script "The Reader" as a movie would not be weak in the future.

Lin Youcheng wasn't in a hurry, but it was clear that Li Shaohong was extremely anxious, and she had personally contacted Jiang Wen several times.

Jiang Wen and Liu Xiaoqing naturally knew that Li Shaohong wanted to make the movie "The Reader". However, as filmmakers, they were also very clear that the story of "The Reader" was very suitable to be made into a movie to compete for the three major film festivals. The extreme tearing apart of humanity and love, and the story of someone who would rather die than reveal that he was illiterate for the sake of dignity, was very artistically impactful. Otherwise, Jiang Wen would not have been interested in making "The Reader".

It's quite obvious that it's not easy for Jiang Wen, as an actor, to transition into directing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have waited until 1993 to actually film "In the Heat of the Sun" after acquiring the novel rights to "Ferocious Animals".

Liu Xiaoqing looked at Jiang Wen and asked, "Why don't you give it to Li Shaohong? You still need to prepare for 'In the Heat of the Sun.' She can help you make connections and get the Beijing Film Studio to fund it. That would be a good idea."

Jiang Wen naturally understood this, but he still felt a little regretful because he knew very well that the story of "The Reader" was extraordinary. Of course, he also knew that "In the Heat of the Sun" was giving him a headache right now. In addition to the script, there were also actors, especially since there were still many young actors to be found for this movie. Jiang Wen had already thought it through. Once this group of young actors was settled, they would all have closed training and would not be allowed to call home. They would listen to Soviet songs all day long.

"We'll look for opportunities to collaborate with Lin Youcheng later."

Upon hearing Liu Xiaoqing's words, Jiang Wen wondered when he would be able to work with Lin Youcheng again. Although he had missed out on the role of Tiangou in "The Dog," it was still Lin Youcheng who recommended him for the part. He was truly resentful about missing out on the movie "Atonement."

Of course, he also watched Chen Aige's film "Atonement," which was indeed good, but he felt that his own film would be just as good. However, he naturally had to focus his energy on "In the Heat of the Sun" for now.

Li Shaohong has come several times, clearly indicating that she genuinely wants to film the story of "The Reader." Lin Youcheng's decision to have her come and talk to him is obviously also his decision.

"If I don't film 'The Reader' anymore, will you still act in this movie?"

Liu Xiaoqing was taken aback when she heard Jiang Wen's words. She was doing quite well with her own company, and she had considered acting again, like the role of Yang Ju in "The Reader," which she felt was very challenging. She had discussed this with Lin Youcheng before. However, she herself was not so keen on acting if Jiang Wen didn't make the movie. She had only done so because Jiang Wen was going to make the movie, which was also her way of supporting him.

After all, her current business development company needs her right now, so she doesn't have the energy to film.

Liu Xiaoqing shook her head.

When Jiang Wen saw Liu Xiaoqing shake her head, he understood her thoughts. Considering that he still needed to prepare for filming "In the Heat of the Sun," which required his full dedication, he thought for a moment and then said, "Let's wait until after filming 'In the Heat of the Sun' before looking for an opportunity to collaborate with Lin Youcheng."

Upon receiving Jiang Wen's message, Li Shaohong was undoubtedly very excited and rushed to Xinghua Hutong to discuss the film adaptation of "The Reader" with Lin Youcheng.

Without a doubt, Li Shaohong has great respect for Lin Youcheng, the author and screenwriter. After all, compared to herself, Lin Youcheng, this screenwriting giant, may have a higher status in the film industry. The director she collaborated with was Hou Xiaoxian, who won the Palme d'Or, and there were also companies in Hollywood. Not to mention that Lin Youcheng is the original author of "The Reader," so naturally, she would listen to Lin Youcheng's opinions.

"Youcheng, Liu Xiaoqing isn't planning to play Yang Ju. Of the two actresses you recommended before, Siqin Gaowa and Pan Hong, I think Pan Hong might be more suitable. I just don't know if she'd be willing." Speaking of which, the movie "The Reader" is quite a sensitive film. After all, the novel's story involves a 36-year-old middle-aged woman and a 15-year-old boy having sex and studying together. Such scenes would still be somewhat sensitive even in the future, let alone now. Even if the actress refused to act in such scenes, it wouldn't be possible. Of course, it also depends on how the director films it. If a different director insists that the actress make some large-scale sacrifices in front of the camera for the sake of so-called art, I'm afraid the actress would find it difficult to agree.

Li Shaohong is very aware of Pan Hong's acting skills, and Pan Hong had a film released earlier this year, "The Single Woman," which tells the story of a divorced woman raising her five-year-old son. This single woman is quite individualistic; still single in her thirties, she has a very distinct personality—straightforward, resilient, and sharp-tongued. She is also a thoughtful and opinionated person who abhors lies and refuses to compromise herself. She has had many relationships, but hasn't found her "Mr. Right." Perhaps finding "Mr. Right" isn't determined by the number of relationships one has.

The individual attitudes expressed here are quite sharp, but most importantly, Li Shaohong felt that Pan Hong's overall image and temperament were suitable for Yang Ju.

Lin Youcheng had no objection to Li Shaohong's opinion that Pan Hong was more suitable, after all, Pan Hong's acting skills were beyond question, and she was also an acquaintance of his. He said, "It depends on how you film it and how you handle the scenes in the script."

Lin Youcheng in the script was naturally well aware of the current standards in China, and he didn't intend to use the gimmick of studying in bed. Of course, the scene of reading aloud before studying in bed and then starting the bed study actions was impossible to cut.

Li Shaohong nodded and said, "I'll talk to her personally later. This role is very challenging, and I hope it can move her."

In Li Shaohong's view, Yang Ju, a middle-aged illiterate woman, is undoubtedly a very challenging and profound character, especially since the role has to be played from middle age to old age. Such a role is definitely an opportunity that actresses who are eager to challenge their acting skills should not miss. It is just unknown whether the actress is willing to take on this role.

"Youcheng, who do you think would be suitable to play the fifteen-year-old Jiang Xia? The role of the young Jiang Xia is quite significant."

Lin Youcheng knew that this was the most difficult question. For example, in Zhang Yimou's previous film "Ju Dou," several young actors were cast as Yang Tianqing, but none of them could match Gong Li's acting skills. Moreover, Zhang Yimou had already changed Yang Tianqing's age in the novel to a twenty-year-old young man, but it still didn't work. Later, the setting was changed again to a forty-year-old middle-aged man, and Li Baotian was cast as the actor.

Of course, due to various reasons, Zhang Yimou's film "Ju Dou" could not escape the censors and was not released in China.

Lin Youcheng thought for a moment and said, "We can first decide on the actress for the role of Jiang Xia in his middle age after marriage, and then find a similar child actor based on the actress we've chosen."

Hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Li Shaohong nodded repeatedly and said, "You're right. Who do you think is suitable to play the role of middle-aged Jiang Xia?"

There are many suitable candidates for the role of middle-aged Jiang Xia. After all, although the role of middle-aged Jiang Xia is also very important compared to Yang Ju, there are quite a few actors who can take on this role. Lin Youcheng subconsciously thought of Liang Jiahui, the versatile actor who had worked with Pan Hong, and couldn't help but ask, "How about Liang Jiahui?"

"His acting is superb!"

Li Shaohong naturally knew this Hong Kong film emperor. He had previously played Bai Xiaonian in "The Message," written by Lin Youcheng, and won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Supporting Actor. His acting skills were absolutely excellent; otherwise, he wouldn't have won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor.

Li Shaohong nodded, feeling that Liang Jiahui's acting skills were absolutely fine. However, compared to Liang Jiahui's highly recognizable appearance, Li Shaohong didn't know if she could find a young actor similar to Liang Jiahui. In addition, other candidates for this role also needed to be discussed, since if Liang Jiahui didn't take the role, then other actors would naturally have to be found.

“Besides Leung Ka-fai, someone like Cheung Fung-yik could also work.”

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng recommend Zhang Fengyi, Li Shaohong couldn't help but ask, "Isn't he a bit too young?"

Clearly, Li Shaohong wasn't worried about Zhang Fengyi's acting skills. After all, she knew of the actor's talent. He rose to fame in 1981 with his role in "Rickshaw Boy," and later won the first China Film Performance Association Award for Outstanding Actor for his role in "The Adventures of a Pigeon Fancier." Last year, he starred in the film "The Dragon Year Policeman," and won the same award again. All of this is enough to show that his acting skills are excellent.

Li Shaohong just felt that Zhang Fengyi was a little too young.

Lin Youcheng understood Li Shaohong's meaning. After thinking carefully about suitable male actors in the industry, he suddenly thought of two similar male actors and couldn't help but find it interesting. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Why don't you go and ask Jiang Wen if he wants to play the role of Jiang Xia? This role wouldn't be a problem for him."

Is Jiang Wenlai going to play the role?

This really stunned Li Shaohong; it was truly unexpected!

Li Shaohong was surprised that Lin Youcheng would say such a thing. Looking at the smile on Lin Youcheng's face, which didn't seem like a joke, she couldn't help but say, "I wonder if Jiang Wen would agree to play the role?"

Li Shaohong felt that Jiang Wen might not agree. Not to mention that Jiang Wen himself was busy preparing for his own film shoot, he had already wanted to make "The Reader" before, so it would be difficult for him to agree to play the middle-aged male lead in this film.

Lin Youcheng just smiled when he heard Li Shaohong's words and said, "I was just making a suggestion."

In Lin Youcheng's opinion, if Jiang Wen was cast as the middle-aged male lead in "The Reader," then Xia Yu could be cast as the young Jiang Xia. However, if Jiang Wen saw Xia Yu, he would probably immediately think of casting him in "In the Heat of the Sun."

(End of this chapter)