A widower's entertainment

Chapter 448 [The Center of the Circle] (Please Subscribe)
Xinghua Hutong, Beijing.

The popularity of the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" has undoubtedly had a huge impact across the country. Yu Feihong, the female lead who previously starred in the movie "If Love Has a Destiny", already had considerable fame. Now, with the role of Xian'er, she has become known to countless viewers.

Not only Yu Feihong, but also young actors like He Bing, Jiang Wenli, Zhou Xun, Chen Jianbin, and Tao Hong are very popular.

Clearly, they all knew that it was because of the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" that these actors, who were originally unknown or even newcomers, suddenly became household names.

Yes, it really is a household name.

Zhou Xun felt this deeply. Although her role in the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" was later and far less prominent than Xian'er's, her portrayal of Xia Yushu was highly praised. Now, when she walks on the street, she is recognized by passersby who call her Chuanjie's wife, and of course, they also call her Yushu.

Zhou Xun was undoubtedly very excited and thrilled, because this was a feeling she had never experienced before.

"Teacher Lin, I never expected that someone would call out to me on the street, 'Chuanjie's wife.'"

Zhou Xun works for Lin Youcheng's company and previously acted in the TV series "I Love My Family". However, it is clear that her role in "I Love My Family" did not attract much attention. On the contrary, the popularity of "Crossing the Guandong" made her feel the surprise of being an actress for the first time.

That's right, it's the sense of surprise. A good character can make those viewers believe it so much, and follow along with her own love and feelings for the show.

Lin Youcheng held his youngest daughter, Lin Zhaoyuan, and while taking care of her, he said with a smile, "Being recognized is only because you played your role well."

Zhou Xun looked at Lin Youcheng with a smile and said, "Then I still have to thank Teacher Lin for letting me play this role."

In Zhou Xun's opinion, the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" is really great. She is very lucky to be able to play a role in the series. Now she has joined Lin Youcheng's company, and Lin Youcheng has recommended her to the cast of "I Love My Family". In addition, she will also play a role in the movie "Temptress Moon" which is being prepared by Chen Aige. Of course, there is also the upcoming TV series "The Great Song Dynasty Forensic Examiner". Although she is not the female lead, she will play a role in the series.

It can be said that Zhou Xun now truly understands that she wants to be an actress in the future and no longer thinks about singing in bars. She is also very grateful to Lin Youcheng.

Lin Youcheng listened to Zhou Xun's thanks and just smiled. Speaking of which, Zhou Xun is currently the only artist signed to his company. In the future, when the company grows bigger, it can naturally be said that Zhou Xun is the company's number one actor. However, Lin Youcheng doesn't care too much because he knows very well that he is the real pillar of the company.

Lin Youcheng has also recruited some people at Huayi Film and Television Company, but he hasn't signed many actors yet because he knows that his company's main focus is still film and television production. Of course, in addition to his own company's film and television production, he can also invest in some projects, since he has plenty of money. Of course, the premise is that the investment must be a return on investment.

This is similar to the movie starring Feng Xiaogang and Wang Shuo. Earlier, Zheng Xiaolong vaguely asked Lin Youcheng about it, but it was clear that Lin Youcheng had no idea what to do with it.

"Director Shao Hong, they said they also have a project they'd like to discuss with you."

Zhou Xun was naturally delighted to hear Lin Youcheng's words. She knew that director Li Shaohong's previous film, "The Reader," had produced a Best Actress winner at the Berlin Film Festival, which made everyone in the crew very envious. Now, she was very happy to have the opportunity to work with director Li Shaohong, and she was also very clear that this was all because of Lin Youcheng.

"Thank you, Teacher Lin."

Upon hearing Zhou Xun's words, Lin Youcheng waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to worry too much.

Actually, the reason Li Shaohong was able to approach Zhou Xun was naturally because of Lin Youcheng.

Regardless of what happens in the Beijing film circle in the future, Lin Youcheng is absolutely indispensable in the film and television industry right now. You could even say that Lin Youcheng is the center of this circle. After all, looking around, the film directors Lin Youcheng has worked with include Chen Aige, Li Shaohong, and even Zhang Yimou and Jiang Wen, with whom he has a very good relationship. Not to mention director Zheng Xiaolong in the television industry, as well as the CCTV circle, and director Hou Xiaoxian in Taiwan, and his collaboration with Shan Chen Film Company in Hong Kong.

It can be said that this is all due to Lin Youcheng's network of connections, not to mention his connections with film companies in Hollywood.

Lin Youcheng is not only the center of the Beijing film and television circle, but the entire film and television industry. There's no way around it, after all, the works written by Lin Youcheng are just too powerful. Hollywood film companies are frantically seeking cooperation with Lin Youcheng, not to mention domestic film directors.

Even within the television drama industry, Lin Youcheng holds a very high position. With works like "The Message," "Lurking," "My Brothers and Sisters," and the currently popular "Crossing the Guandong," his status is truly rock-solid. The Golden Eagle Awards have already awarded him Best Screenplay twice in a row, not to mention the Feitian Awards. These two awards aren't just going to give Lin Youcheng the award for screenplay; they're looking to appoint him as the chairman of the jury.

That's right. It's not just the Golden Eagle Awards; the Golden Rooster Awards, as well as other film festivals and awards, have all invited Lin Youcheng, an international screenwriter, to serve as a judge and chairman of the jury.

This is all because Lin Youcheng's status in the industry is obvious to all and can be directly stated.

How will the awards be presented and how will the disputes be handled? It can be said that Lin Youcheng's status is such that even if he doesn't attend the awards ceremony, the crew will still accept the awards that should be given to him on his behalf. You should know that even though Lin Youcheng didn't attend the Oscars, the Oscars still awarded the Best Original Screenplay to Lin Youcheng for "The Truman Show".

Lin Youcheng was well aware that Li Shaohong and Chen Aige approached Zhou Xun to discuss roles because of him; otherwise, it would have been difficult for them to notice this newcomer actor. Of course, Zhou Xun's performance in "Crossing the Guandong" was also remarkable and full of talent.

"You need to take good care of your voice later on, as the voice is very important for actors' lines."

Hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Zhou Xun nodded repeatedly, knowing the same thing. While Lin Youcheng and Zhou Xun were talking in the courtyard, Jiang Wenli and her boyfriend Gu Changwei came to Xinghua Hutong to visit Lin Youcheng.

Clearly, Jiang Wenli was very grateful to Lin Youcheng, who not only cast her as Princess Nawen in the TV series "Crossing the Guandong", but also gave her the lead role in the later series "The Great Song Dynasty Forensic Examiner", which made her extremely happy.

Jiang Wenli, in particular, is very aware that the TV series "The Great Song Dynasty Forensic Examiner" is currently undergoing meticulous refinement, and with director Tian Zhuangzhuang providing guidance, she is naturally very pleased.

"Zhou Xun, you're here too!"

Jiang Wenli and Zhou Xun had spent a long time together on set, so they naturally had a good relationship. When they saw Zhou Xun there, they greeted her with smiles and introduced her to her boyfriend, Gu Changwei.

Actually, there's no need for an introduction. Lin Youcheng knows Gu Changwei, after all, they collaborated on the film "Atonement." Gu Changwei was the cinematographer for Chen Aige's film "Atonement," and he was also the cinematographer for "Farewell My Concubine." They're practically in the same circle, so Gu Changwei naturally has great respect for Lin Youcheng, the great writer and screenwriter.

After all, a cinematographer who doesn't aspire to be a director isn't a good cinematographer.

Like Zhang Guoshi, Gu Changwei was also a photographer, as was Kong Sheng. They all wanted to become directors, but Gu Changwei didn't actually become a director until much later, with the film "Peacock," which won the Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival. Of course, the documentary series "Knowledge Changes Destiny," which he directed before that, doesn't count.

Lin Youcheng naturally had his housekeeper, Sister Zhou, serve tea to Jiang Wenli and Gu Changwei, and they would also chat about movies.

"Congratulations! You won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for 'In the Heat of the Sun,' the film you co-starred in with Jiang Wen!"

This is precisely what makes Gu Changwei so amazing. Many top directors in China seek him out as their cinematographer. He not only collaborated with Chen Aige on "Farewell My Concubine," but also with Jiang Wen on "In the Heat of the Sun," and with Zhang Guoshi on "Red Sorghum."

Gu Changwei smiled when he heard Lin Youcheng's voice and said, "Jiang Wen is actually quite disappointed. He really hoped to win the Golden Lion Award."

Lin Youcheng couldn't help but laugh when he heard Gu Changwei's honest words. He naturally knew that Jiang Wen would be disappointed. After all, the Golden Lion, the highest award in the Venice Film Festival, was given to two films, but not "In the Heat of the Sun". How could he not be disappointed?

At this year's Venice Film Festival, Tsai Ming-liang's "Vive L'Amour" and Mirko Manchevsky's "Before the Rain" shared the Golden Lion for Best Film, while "In the Heat of the Sun" won the Best Actor award. In truth, it's quite remarkable that "In the Heat of the Sun" produced such a young Venice Film Festival Best Actor winner.

Lin Youcheng said with a smile, "I hope his next film can win Best Picture at the Three Kingdoms."

Speaking of which, Jiang Wen's next movie, "Devils on the Doorstep," is still a long way off. After all, Jiang Wen is an actor by profession, and he will continue to appear in movies. However, it is clear that Jiang Wen has his own ideas even when acting, given his personality. For example, during the early stages of the release of "In the Heat of the Sun," a director invited Jiang Wen to play Ying Zheng in the historical film "The Emperor's Shadow." Although Jiang Wen accepted the invitation, he was not very satisfied with the script and offered some suggestions for revision.

Jiang Wen's subsequent film, "Devils on the Doorstep," also disappointed him, as it only won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It can be said that Jiang Wen has not won the top prize at any of the three major film festivals since then. Of course, this will not affect Jiang Wen's status, after all, it is rare for him to be quite successful as both a director and an actor in the industry.

Gu Changwei smiled when he heard Lin Youcheng's words. He was well aware of how difficult it was to win the top prize at the three major film festivals. After all, there were only a handful of such films in the entire Chinese film industry. Gu Changwei himself had the same idea and hoped that he would have the opportunity to make a film in the future and be nominated for the top prize at the three major film festivals.

"Hopefully!"

While listening to Lin Youcheng and Gu Changwei talk about the three major European film festivals, Zhou Xun realized that it was still too far away for her. Although she had thought about it, when she actually started acting, Zhou Xun knew very well that it was truly a rare and hard-won opportunity for someone like Pan Hong in Li Shaohong's film "The Reader" to win the Best Actress award at the Berlin Film Festival.

In particular, Zhou Xun had heard that Pan Hong was able to star in the play "The Reader" because of Lin Youcheng's recommendation. Zhou Xun had also thought about acting in the movies written by Lin Youcheng in the future, but right now she was more focused on playing her own role well.

Jiang Wenli brought Gu Changwei to visit Lin Youcheng, not only to maintain contact but also to express their gratitude. After all, the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" was incredibly popular, which shows that TV series are more widely known than movies. Many people may not have seen her performance in the movie "Farewell My Concubine," but her role as Na Wen in "Crossing the Guandong" has brought her a lot of attention.

She's getting a lot of offers for acting roles right now, and she's going to be in Lin Youcheng's next drama. Naturally, she's very grateful to Lin Youcheng. After all, the role of Na Wen wasn't chosen for her by Gu Changwei asking Lin Youcheng to select her; it was because she herself showed Lin Youcheng her acting skills that he cast her as Na Wen.

Gu Changwei was aware of this as well. The CCTV drama "Crossing the Guandong" was currently airing and was incredibly popular, practically a household name. He was also watching the show and said with a smile, "Youcheng, 'Crossing the Guandong' is really, really popular right now!"

"You wrote this notebook really well!"

Clearly, as a filmmaker, Gu Changwei was well aware that the success of "Crossing the Guandong" was not only due to the excellent direction and acting, but also, and most importantly, because the script was so solid and brilliant.

"We must cooperate again in the future."

Lin Youcheng smiled upon hearing Gu Changwei's words and said, "Of course."

Even figures like Gu Changwei from the Northwest circle need Lin Youcheng's cooperation. It can be said that whether in the Beijing circle, the Northwest circle, or the Hong Kong circle, Lin Youcheng is truly the common center of these circles in China, without exception.

(End of this chapter)