A widower's entertainment

Chapter 377 [The World Turns Its Head] (Please Subscribe)
Without a doubt, the most talked-about and hottest movie right now in the United States, or even the North American film market, or even the global film market, is Paramount Pictures' "The Truman Show".

Film critics are raving about the movie. Everyone in Hollywood knows that The Truman Show is a fantasy science fiction film, or even a typical Hollywood commercial film, belonging to the comedy genre. However, through its convoluted, bizarre, and absurd plot, the theme of this comedy is actually quite serious and thought-provoking, which is why film critics are cheering for it.

What's even more noteworthy and worthy of discussion and attention from film critics and Hollywood studios is that this novel and unique film script was written by an Eastern screenwriter.

This certainly shocked Hollywood's film industry!
Although Lin Youcheng's previous film script, "Every Day," was already quite novel and outlandish, his new film, "The Truman Show," has truly unsettled many film professionals. While "Every Day" may have been a fantastical love story full of imagination, "The Truman Show," as discussed in the media and newspapers, has a lot to offer in terms of discussion.

The whole story is unbelievable and shocking. Even though it is bizarre, it is not far removed from the lives of American people. In fact, it can be said that such a story is not just science fiction, but a reality show story that can actually be made. And just like many viewers who were speechless for a long time after watching "The Truman Show" for the first time, who wouldn't wonder if they also live in a huge theater?

Perhaps the difference between many people and Truman is that Truman didn't want to perform; he was, in fact, an actor with many viewers watching his performance. When he realized he was living in a show, what he wanted to do was try to break free from the performance and live his true self. Many people, however, are not actors, and don't have many viewers, yet they perform every day. Perhaps they have no audience at all, but the performance never stops, so they live within the performance…

Such discussions continued unabated, with various voices appearing in American newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times, all discussing Lin Youcheng, this incredible Eastern screenwriter.

Lin Youcheng, an Eastern screenwriter, was already quite well-known in Hollywood, and now his script for "The Truman Show" has truly caught the attention of all film companies.

Because now they truly understand just how amazing Lin Youcheng's script really is!
Even as film critics commented in the newspapers, this year's Oscar for Best Picture has been decided!

Indeed, in the eyes of many filmmakers in Hollywood, Lin Youcheng's "The Truman Show" is an Oscar-worthy film!
Even if such a review is just the opinion and evaluation of a film critic, it undoubtedly demonstrates just how amazing Lin Youcheng's "The Truman Show" is!
The key point is that this heated discussion has only just begun, and this "Truman Show" storm has only just begun to sweep the globe.

Although "The Truman Show" was not released in China, the huge impact it has had overseas will likely be heard by many filmmakers in China, especially those who follow international films.

There's no way around it; Lin Youcheng's "The Truman Show" is just too popular and a huge hit in Hollywood right now.

"Factory Manager, I heard that the 'Truman Show' that Lin Youcheng wrote for a Hollywood company is very popular in the United States and has received very high praise!"

Naturally, some comrades at the Yanjing Film Studio heard about the overseas news of "The Truman Show" and would talk about it with the people at the film studio.

Cheng Zhigu, the director of Yanjing Film Studio, had also heard about this. He nodded and said with great excitement in his eyes, "Yes, I heard that they are discussing this movie over there. It's just a pity that it can't be imported and shown in China yet."

"Yes, it's such a pity. I don't know how good this movie is. I think the newspapers said it was an Oscar-worthy film, and it's a comedy."

"No wonder foreign companies would spend so much money to buy Lin Youcheng's script! He must be really amazing!"

Cheng Zhi listened to what his comrades were saying, nodded, and said, "Of course, after all, it was Lin Youcheng who wrote the script. Now our most important task is to make a good film, 'If Love Has a Destiny'."

"Yes, but I really want to read Lin Youcheng's 'The Truman Show'!"

"Who wouldn't want to watch!"

……

Just like the discussions among the comrades at Yanjing Film Studio, people in China who heard that the movie "The Truman Show" was quite popular overseas were very eager to read Lin Youcheng's version of "The Truman Show." Some particularly curious people, who were also acquainted with Lin Youcheng, went directly to Xinghua Hutong to talk to him about it.

Zheng Xiaolong came to Xinghua Hutong specifically to talk to Lin Youcheng about the movie "The Truman Show," which is currently very popular in the United States.

In fact, Zheng Xiaolong had just read a novel called "Yanjing People in New York" and was itching to adapt it into a TV series. After all, in the 90s, the term "going abroad" was still quite popular, and the foreign country seemed like a dazzling dream, making countless dreamers' hearts itch with longing.

Zheng Xiaolong stayed up late at night, picking up the novel "Yanjing People in New York" and starting to read it. After finishing it, he was amazed and immediately decided to adapt the novel into a TV series. He was even thinking about going abroad to film the series on location.

Even in the early 90s, going abroad was a very difficult thing. Zheng Xiaolong even considered mortgaging and taking out loans to raise funds for filming abroad.

Now that Zheng Xiaolong has heard that Lin Youcheng's "The Truman Show" is quite popular and well-received abroad, how could he not come and talk to Lin Youcheng about the movie?

"Youcheng, your novel 'The Truman Show' is incredibly popular in the United States right now!"

"I now want to go abroad to see just how amazing your movie really is!"

Lin Youcheng couldn't help but laugh when he heard Zheng Xiaolong's words. He had already heard about this from people at Paramount Pictures, and even other people had called to tell him about it. People from Time Publishing Company, Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures, with whom he had previously collaborated, had all contacted him, wanting to ask if he had written any new scripts and hoping to collaborate with him again.

Clearly, "The Truman Show" has really taken the US by storm.

In fact, Lin Youcheng was very clear about this. No one knew better than him how classic, influential, and prestigious the film "The Truman Show" was in film history!

Especially considering he brought us "The Truman Show" back in 1992, several years earlier than the original, you can imagine the impact this film had on American audiences and media. Lin Youcheng looked at Zheng Xiaolong and said with a smile, "Paramount, Warner Bros., and Universal have all contacted me, wanting to collaborate on my next film."

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Zheng Xiaolong immediately understood that because of the success of "The Truman Show," foreign film and television companies wanted to collaborate with Lin Youcheng again, and they were all vying to work with this screenwriter.

"It has to be you!"

Zheng Xiaolong admired Lin Youcheng from the bottom of his heart. He had known Lin Youcheng for so many years and was very clear about how capable Lin Youcheng was. The key was that Zheng Xiaolong knew very well that if someone like Lin Youcheng wanted to go to the United States, it would be no problem at all, but Lin Youcheng had never thought about going abroad.

"Xiaoping told me that she saw the movie you wrote and that she was very impressed. She also asked me to tell you that she really liked your movie. Her friends in the United States also really liked the story you wrote. It's so wonderful!"

Lin Youcheng knew that Zheng Xiaolong's girlfriend, editor Wang Xiaoping, was studying in the United States. The two had been separated for a long time, and it was only after Zheng Xiaolong went to the United States that he was able to marry Wang Xiaoping. Even so, their cross-border separation continued afterward.

Upon hearing Zheng Xiaolong's words, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but laugh and said, "Please thank her for me."

Zheng Xiaolong added, "I also wanted to ask her what story this movie is about. She told me that I had to see the movie myself and wouldn't tell me. She said that only after seeing it myself would I know how wonderful the movie is."

"That's right, I want to go to America to see your movie right now."

Lin Youcheng smiled and said, "I think you want to see her, right?"

Zheng Xiaolong couldn't help but laugh. Of course, he had the same thought. However, he was also very curious about Lin Youcheng's "The Truman Show." He wondered what kind of story it was. At least from the excited voice on the phone, he could tell that he genuinely liked it and even said that it was more shocking and exciting than "Everyday."

Zheng Xiaolong was chatting with Lin Youcheng when someone arrived outside the courtyard.

People from Warner Bros., who had previously collaborated with Lin Youcheng, came directly to the city. It was George, the producer who had previously discussed collaborations with Lin Youcheng. Speaking of which, Lin Youcheng's collaboration with Warner Bros. wasn't limited to the movie "Everyday." After all, the film rights to the novel "The Lake House" were also sold to Warner Bros. at that time.

"Lin, my friend, it's been so long!"

"I came here specifically to see you!"

George was naturally there for Lin Youcheng. This time, he didn't come with Bowers from Time Publishing Company, but brought a translator with him. He was very enthusiastic and smiling as soon as they met, as if he were seeing a relative.

Zheng Xiaolong clearly hadn't expected that while he was discussing the foreign film "The Truman Show" with Lin Youcheng and the matter of going abroad, people from abroad had come directly to China to find Lin Youcheng. This showed just how important Lin Youcheng was in the eyes of these foreign film companies, and how successful "The Truman Show" was.

"Lin, your script for 'The Truman Show' really should be a collaboration with us!"

"Lin, your script for 'The Truman Show' is absolutely fantastic!"

"God, this is incredible! I absolutely love this story you wrote!"

George couldn't help but mention Lin Youcheng's "The Truman Show." For Universal and Warner, the success of their rival company was undoubtedly more painful for them. After all, they also had the opportunity to get a script like "The Truman Show" from Lin Youcheng, but Paramount Pictures beat them to it.

Listening to the translator's words and seeing George's excited yet somewhat regretful expression, Zheng Xiaolong could understand just how successful Lin Youcheng's "The Truman Show" was overseas. Otherwise, why would the Warner Bros. people say such things?

Lin Youcheng smiled upon hearing this and said, "Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the story."

“It’s not just about liking, Lin. You really should go to Hollywood. Your name is quite popular there now. They all really want to meet you, this amazing Eastern screenwriter. You’re just as popular as Truman.”

George looked at Lin Youcheng and said earnestly, "Lin, believe me, Hollywood is more suitable for you!"

Hearing George's words, Lin Youcheng smiled and said, "Even if we don't go to Hollywood, we can still collaborate, can't we?"

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, George nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "You're right, of course we can cooperate, and we very much hope to cooperate with you again."

If it weren't for wanting to collaborate with Lin Youcheng, why would Warner Bros. come to Xinghua Hutong in Beijing to meet him? They still want to work with this screenwriter from the East.

After all, George's words were not an exaggeration at all. Hollywood companies have already seen Lin Youcheng's screenplays for the films "Every Day" and "The Truman Show." Hollywood companies usually give Chinese directors opportunities to direct films, but if they fail repeatedly, they will naturally not have another chance. But Lin Youcheng is different. Not to mention the successful adaptations of his previous novels "The Time Traveler's Wife" and "The Lake House," he now has such a brilliant original screenplay, which is even a contender for the Oscar for Best Picture. Lin Youcheng's skills as an Eastern screenwriter are beyond doubt. How could Hollywood companies not want to work with Lin Youcheng?

It can be said that "The Truman Show" shocked the world, and the world created by Lin Youcheng, an Eastern screenwriter, truly made the world take notice and go crazy.

(End of this chapter)