A widower's entertainment

Chapter 378 [The Matter of Winning the Award] (Please Subscribe)
Lin Youcheng was well aware that Warner Bros. producer George's visit to Xinghua Hutong was aimed at collaborating with him again. George had previously called to inquire about suitable film scripts, and now George had personally come to Xinghua Hutong, partly to discuss collaboration and partly to build a closer relationship with Lin Youcheng, this talented Eastern screenwriter.

"The Truman Show" truly made Warner Bros. realize that the screenplays written by Lin Youcheng, an Eastern screenwriter, not only take commercial considerations into account, but also have extremely high artistic value. Otherwise, how could a comedy be praised by film critics as an Oscar-worthy film?

It can be said that not only Hollywood companies, but also some big Hollywood directors want to get to know Lin Youcheng, this screenwriter from the East, and hope to work with him. After all, Lin Youcheng is too mysterious to the whole of Hollywood.

Of course, most importantly, in addition to being mysterious, the screenplays he wrote were also incredibly impressive.

George looked at Lin Youcheng and said, "Lin, we really hope to have the opportunity to work with you on the next film."

Actually, even without George saying it, everyone present knew what George was thinking.

Zheng Xiaolong glanced at George, then looked at Lin Youcheng. Everyone said that the moon was rounder abroad and wanted to go overseas, but Lin Youcheng was just that amazing. He directly got foreign film companies to come to him, wanting the scripts written by him as a screenwriter. He was really too amazing.

“I know, and I hope we can cooperate.”

Lin Youcheng naturally wouldn't refuse George's offer to collaborate. After all, compared to scripts in China, there was no doubt that he could make more money in the United States. He had no reason to refuse a collaboration with a Hollywood company, and the previous collaborations had all gone very well.

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, George naturally understood that Lin Youcheng was willing to cooperate with them. The Truman Show was just outmaneuvered by Paramount Pictures. If it were them, Lin Youcheng would not have refused to cooperate as long as the price was right.

"We'd like to invite you to leave the company. The movie 'Everyday' is a huge box office success and deserves a celebration."

In fact, this is also Warner Bros.' further efforts to win over Lin Youcheng, an Eastern screenwriter. Although the movie "Everyday" did not win any Oscars, it was a huge box office success. Otherwise, why would Warner Bros. value Lin Youcheng so much?

Upon hearing this, Lin Youcheng smiled and shook his head, saying, "No need, I won't go. People from Paramount Pictures also invited me, but I declined."

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, George knew that Paramount Pictures was well aware of Lin Youcheng's brilliance as a screenwriter. Of course, given the box office success and unprecedented response of "The Truman Show," they definitely had to thank Lin Youcheng. George showed a regretful expression and said with great pity, "Lin, you should know that Hollywood really welcomes you. That's where your world truly belongs."

Hearing George's words, Zheng Xiaolong secretly clicked his tongue in amazement. Listen to this: Hollywood is Lin Youcheng's world. It turns out that "The Truman Show" currently showing in the United States is actually Lin Youcheng's world. It's a pity that Lin Youcheng has no desire to go abroad and has no interest in the Beijing people in New York.

Lin Youcheng didn't take George's compliments to heart. He knew very well that Hollywood was not only glamorous but also extremely cruel, and he had no intention of developing his career there.

Just as Lin Youcheng and George were chatting, it was time for the children to get out of school.

This wasn't the first time Lin Zhaomei's children had seen foreigners in the courtyard, so they weren't particularly surprised. They all knew these foreigners were there to see their father. Since Lin Youcheng's children had also gone home from school, George and the others didn't linger in the courtyard either, and naturally took their leave.

Since Zheng Xiaolong was an old acquaintance, he didn't rush to leave. Instead, he said, "Youcheng, you're really amazing. Those Hollywood companies are all coming to you to talk about cooperation. As long as you nod, you can go to them anytime."

"We're doing fine here."

Lin Youcheng wasn't Truman, unwilling to step out of his own world; he simply knew very well that the world in China would only get better and better, and there was no need to chase after the moon abroad.

Despite his words, Zheng Xiaolong still said, "That's the kind of thing you would say."

In reality, many of those who go abroad these days are from the arts and culture sector, and they all believe that the grass is greener on the other side.

Lin Youcheng understood what Zheng Xiaolong meant and said, "If we go out now, we might have to come back later."

Zheng Xiaolong didn't know why those people who went abroad, as Lin Youcheng mentioned, would come back. However, he felt that anything could happen in the future. Since Lin Youcheng didn't seem to want to go abroad, he naturally didn't bring up the topic of going abroad. Instead, he said, "Your novel, 'The Truman Show,' is so popular abroad now. They're all coming to you wanting to collaborate. Do you have any ideas for the script for the next part?"

Lin Youcheng smiled and said, "No rush."

Lin Youcheng knew very well that besides "The Truman Show," which was showing in the United States, there was also "Love," directed by Hou Xiaoxian, "The Reader," directed by Li Shaohong, and "If Love Has a Destiny," which were all showing in the United States.

Leaving aside "If Love Has a Destiny" which will be released domestically later, both "Love" and "The Reader" will definitely be competing for the three major European film festivals. In particular, according to Chen Aige, Hou Xiaoxian's "Love" may go to the Venice Film Festival. I believe that this film will once again surprise international film companies. After all, the script of "Love" is not simple at all, despite its seemingly simple story.

Of course, Lin Youcheng was also very happy about the current popularity of "The Truman Show". After all, it also meant that Hollywood companies would have to offer suitable conditions if they wanted to cooperate with him. Otherwise, why would he cooperate, and why would he choose a particular company to cooperate with? He had more than one film company to choose from.

When Zheng Xiaolong heard Lin Youcheng say there was no rush, he didn't ask any further questions. After all, he had only asked casually. He knew that Lin Youcheng, as a writer, had always had a strong creative passion, otherwise he wouldn't have such a vigorous creative desire. Just like his previously published novel "Plot Against," he added, "Our television art center also wants to adapt your previously published novel 'Plot Against' into a TV series. However, the censorship is different from that during the War of Resistance Against Japan because it involves espionage in the 1950s."

When Lin Youcheng heard Zheng Xiaolong mention the TV series version of "Plot Against," he thought for a moment and said, "Then let's not film this story for now." Lin Youcheng knew very well that the reason he didn't write the Wind Chaser after "Plot Against" was firstly to deliberately leave it blank, and secondly because it was sensitive. Moreover, the TV series authorities would probably be even stricter, otherwise the TV series "No Regrets" wouldn't have been banned for ten years.

Zheng Xiaolong nodded and said, "Actually, I'm planning to film a TV series abroad, called 'People from Yanjing in New York.' The novel is very good."

When Lin Youcheng heard Zheng Xiaolong mention this drama, he wasn't surprised. He simply said, "That's great. If you film it in New York, it will be the first TV series in China to be filmed on location overseas."

"That's true, but I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

Lin Youcheng was well aware that filming on location abroad was no easy task. He also knew that Zheng Xiaolong's TV series had been a great success and received a very enthusiastic response after its broadcast. He couldn't help but say, "It's not easy. Let's work together to find a solution."

Zheng Xiaolong understood what Lin Youcheng meant and nodded with a smile.

Zheng Xiaolong didn't intend to stay for dinner either; he wasn't being polite and just left.

Xie Shuhua, who had just returned from Yenching Normal University, saw Zheng Xiaolong leave and couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you stay for dinner?"

Lin Youcheng smiled and said, "Don't worry about it, he's in a hurry to get back."

"I heard that people from a foreign company came today?"

Clearly, Xie Shuhua had also heard about the guests at their home from Song Ma, so she asked Lin Youcheng, "Is it because of your 'The Truman Show'?"

“My teachers at school also mentioned it to me, saying that your movie is very popular in the United States right now, and it's being talked about on TV and in newspapers.”

Lin Youcheng wasn't too surprised to hear Xie Shuhua's words. After all, there might be teachers at Yenching Normal University with friends and relatives abroad who would mention this movie to Xie Shuhua, which shows just how popular the movie is.

"Yes, Warner Bros. came this time, and they also want to talk to me about cooperation."

Xie Shuhua was also very happy to hear Lin Youcheng's words. She had read the screenplay for "The Truman Show" written by Lin Youcheng and was completely amazed by the story he wrote. She really did not expect that Lin Youcheng could write such a story, which was quite shocking.

In Xie Shuhua's view, a person being manipulated and living in a false world from birth is like a purely imaginary science fiction story. However, in Lin Youcheng's writing, it is a very real story. That science fiction is not far away. There really is a person living under the spotlight, being watched by audiences all over the world. Such a story is truly chilling. At that time, Xie Shuhua also thought that this story would be quite amazing even if it were written as a novel.

The cruelest part of this story is its surreal plot, illogical yet plausible. A person lives in a world fabricated by others, manipulated from childhood. A moment of doubt arises, yet a desire to accept things as they are, a resigned acceptance, is told not to overthink. Then, that special someone arrives, capturing your heart; her words, her eyes, her smile—all are unforgettable. Her disappearance suddenly makes you doubt, doubt the world, but never doubt that everyone around you is a sham.

It's hard to imagine the despair one would feel upon discovering that everyone around them had been deceiving them. This story is so outrageous that Xie Shuhua was still deeply moved when she finished reading the script, and even now, thinking about it still shocks her. Truman, who was under the world's watchful eye from birth, with his parents, friends, relatives, and even his entire life trajectory for the past thirty years all preordained, has the courage to step out of this enormous cage after gradually peeling back the layers of mystery and revealing the cruel truth. It's truly impactful!
Xie Shuhua was also well aware that this story was not only imaginative in its plot, but also literary and philosophical, and even had many aspects of human nature that were worth discussing.

Now that the script has been made into a movie, it's quite popular. This makes Xie Shuhua very happy for Lin Youcheng. At least Paramount Pictures didn't let Lin Youcheng down with the story he wrote and really made a good movie. Otherwise, it wouldn't be so popular now. She didn't expect that even her colleagues at school would tell her about it. You know, when "Everyday" was released overseas, there was no such situation.

Xie Shuhua said with a smile, "I think more than just this company will come knocking on our door."

Lin Youcheng nodded and said with a smile, "There might be more later."

Xie Shuhua was well aware that Lin Youcheng's words were not an exaggeration. She was astonished when Lin Youcheng negotiated a copyright fee of over one million with a foreign company. However, in addition to that copyright fee, another million in foreign exchange royalties came in. This was all because the story Lin Youcheng wrote was too amazing.

"I just don't know if 'The Truman Show' will win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay."

Hsieh Shu-hua also knew that Lin You-cheng's previous film, "Everyday," did not win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and she felt very sorry for Lin You-cheng. After all, the story of "Everyday" was quite novel and special. Now, in her heart, the story of "The Truman Show" is really amazing and should have won an award.

Lin Youcheng couldn't help but laugh when he heard Xie Shuhua's words. He was actually quite curious as well. After all, it was only 1992, and "The Truman Show," which was released at this time, should have no problem being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. After all, some film critics in the United States had said that it was an Oscar-worthy film. He just didn't know if it could win the award.

It seems that the original Oscar for Best Picture in 1993 was Clint Eastwood's Western "Unforgiven," and the Best Original Screenplay was a thriller called "The Crying Game." "The Truman Show" was definitely not inferior to these two films, and it could even be said that it is more classic in the entire history of film. It all depends on how much effort Paramount Pictures will put into public relations and operations, and whether they can win the award.

Lin Youcheng knew very well that while winning awards depended on luck, it also depended on ability.

Lin Youcheng knew even better that besides the amazing "The Truman Show," he had another story with even more astonishing talent.

(End of this chapter)