The literary era since 1979

Chapter 175 I have to go now

"Teacher Fang, I received a telegram!"

The old man in the mail room yelled, instantly breaking the silence of the early morning, and it seemed that almost the entire Guixi Factory could hear it.

In the era when telephones were not yet popular, telegrams were the best choice for long-distance communication. The only drawback was that they were expensive.

Every word costs a few cents.

Therefore, it was necessary to choose words carefully. "Father is critically ill", "Wife is in the hospital", "Come back soon", etc. were all commonly used phrases in telegrams at that time.

Also, because telegrams are mostly used in emergency situations, they are often regarded as danger signals of "big things", "bad things" and "urgent things".

Guo Baochang took the telegram and came to the library to look for dialects.

The first one was from the editorial department of October.

The content is very short, "Received, looking forward to your return."

Fangyan had packed up all the transcripts, review reports and other documents of Li Cunbao and others and sent them to Yanjing by EMS.

The second letter also came from the editorial department of October, but was forwarded on behalf of Xi'an Film Studio. It said, "Mo Shen has an urgent matter, please call me."

Fangyan followed Guo Baochang to the office to make a phone call.

He dialed the long-distance radio station and waited for a while before the operator helped him contact Mo Shen, "Old Mo, is there anything urgent?"

Mo Shen said, "Director Wu wants to invite you, a great writer and screenwriter, to Chang'an to attend the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards ceremonies."

"I won't go this time. I have a lot to do."

Fangyan said that he still had a manuscript to write.

"You can come to our guesthouse to write. Xi'an Film Studio will definitely welcome you." Mo Shen said that he mainly wanted to take this opportunity to talk about the movie "Da Qin" in person. How could he, as the author, not come?

Fangyan remained silent, and I heard him say that the reason why the Hundred Flowers Awards and the Golden Rooster Awards were held at the same time and with unprecedented grandness this time was because there were Hong Kong filmmakers among the award presenters.

"For example, Xia Meng."

"Xia Meng!?"

"Yes, it's that Xia Meng."

“I didn’t expect her to come to the mainland.”

Fangyan raised his eyebrows, this person is Jin Yong’s dream lover.

She is also the prototype of Xiaolongnu. It is said that female characters such as Huang Rong and Wang Yuyan have her shadow.

Mo Shen emphasized that this is the first time in 78 years that Hong Kong filmmakers have participated in an awards ceremony in the mainland, which is of great significance.

Not only did film studios across the country respond and send their own directors, actors, and others to participate, but even big names in the film industry such as Xia Yan and Bai Chen came, including the News Documentary Studio.

At that time, Xia Meng and other Hong Kong filmmakers will be invited to watch the sample film of "A Bite of China" together, as well as a symposium after the screening. How can the protagonist Fang Xiaojiang be missing!
"It seems I have to participate."

Fangyan, as one of the consultants and persons in charge, smiled.

After hanging up the phone, Guo Baochang said that he could go with the delegation from the Guixi Factory and that they could book the train tickets.

"It's troublesome."

Fangyan couldn't help but think about "Operation Sword".

From small matters like military knowledge to big matters like leaks of secrets, the help that the military district can provide is basically in place, and it is not impossible to leave western Guangxi at the end of the month.

"After the award ceremony, if Mr. Fang needs to return to western Guangxi to create, we welcome you to stay longer."

There was sincerity in Guo Baochang's tone.

Fangyan waved his hand and said he had disturbed him for too long.

"No bother, not at all."

Guo Baochang said: "Our factory is always open to you."

"You and the Guixi Factory are so polite that I feel a little embarrassed. I must return the favor."

Fang Yan smiled and said, "Last time at Beijing Film Academy, you said you wanted to rewrite the manuscript that was burned. How about I take your pulse now?"

"That manuscript, oh!"

Guo Baochang sighed.

Fangyan sat face to face with him and listened patiently.

It is indeed "The House of the Grand Cicada", but it is not called that name now. Guo Baochang named the book "Le Jia Tong Ren Tang".

"Hey, are you a descendant of the Le family of Tongrentang?"

Dialects pretend to be ignorant even though they know the truth.

"I am just an unworthy descendant. I am sorry to have made a fool of myself, Teacher Fang."

Guo Baochang clasped his fists and talked very little about his life experience. What he talked about most was his novels, which were nothing more than stories about his family, as a commemoration and inheritance of his family.

"As it should be."

Fangyan nodded.

Guo Baochang said bitterly that he actually started writing "Le Jia Tong Ren Tang" at the age of 16, but it was later burned by his adoptive mother. After all, family disgrace should not be made public.

The second time, my ex-wife burned it. It was so sad to see such a painstaking work disappear like that.

“Do you want to write it a third time?”

Fang Yan stared at him straight in the eyes. "Write! You must write!"

Guo Baochang said solemnly: "To me, this novel is like my lifeblood, carrying the entire meaning of my life."

Then he changed the subject, "But I haven't figured out how to write it yet. There are so many things to think about that I can't make sense of."

"No rush, take your time."

Fangyan said comfortingly.

"Let me think about it carefully."

Guo Baochang sighed and said that there were too many things going on in the factory recently. They had to deal with the assignments of graduates from Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama, complete this year's film plan, and make a good film.

Fangyan smiled without saying anything, and the two looked into each other's eyes.

Guo Baochang was the first to lose his temper. "I shouldn't have said this, but there's no one more suitable than me in the entire Guixi Factory, so I still have to say it to you..."

"I know what you want to say."

Fang Yan held out his hand to stop him. "Even if you and Director Wei didn't say it, I would have mentioned it. If my novel is to be adapted into a movie in the future, Guixi Film Studio will be given priority. As for Cun Bao's work, it depends on his personal wishes. I can't make the decision for him."

"Our factory doesn't dare to have such a big wish."

"Just hearing your words is enough for me!"

Guo Baochang happily picked up the enamel cup, "Teacher Fang!"

Fangyan used water instead of wine and clinked glasses with him.

"On behalf of all the staff of Guixi Factory, thank you!"

Guo Baochang said excitedly.

Fangyan said, "You're welcome, you're welcome. It should be Cunbao and I who want to thank you for your hospitality and care for so long."

Afterwards, the two had a heart-to-heart talk about the current situation of Guixi Factory. It was not as good as the best, but better than the worst. The only thing it lacked was a few movies that could make Guixi Factory famous and be remembered by the whole country.

You can tell from the dialect that Guixi Factory is really eager to make progress!
"There is one more thing. I need to tell you in advance."

Guo Baochang refilled their cups with water.

When Fangyan asked, it turned out that he had handed the film over to the Guixi Film Studio for reshooting, and if there was a suitable role, he would invite Gong Xing to play the role.

Guo Baochang explained that he had no other intentions, he just felt bad for Gong Xing and wanted to give him a chance to make amends.

Fang Yan asked curiously, "Why do you say that?"

Guo Baochang said: "To be honest, Comrade Gong Xing was not selected in this audition."

Fang Yan asked, "Does she know about this?"

Guo Baochang shook his head. "She probably doesn't know. We didn't tell her because we were worried that she would feel embarrassed living like this. So we never made the audition results public. Instead, we asked her to have a good time in western Guangxi for a few more days and then go to Chang'an in a good mood."

Fangyan asked Gong Xing why he failed the audition.

"How should I put it? According to what you wrote in People's Drama, Ms. Fang, she is the type who can act like herself in any role."

Guo Baochang carefully chose his words.

Fang Yan pondered for a moment, "My elder sister and younger sister love to watch her movies, and I occasionally watch them with them. There is indeed such a trend. It may be because she has played too many roles that fit her image. She has played herself too many times, and her performance has gradually become stereotyped."

“You are truly an expert in the field of performing arts!”

Guo Baochang gave a thumbs up.

“I just understand a little bit.”

Fangyan raised his hand.

Guo Baochang said that many veteran actors at Guixi Factory had similar views. Gong Xing was confined in a box, and if he did not break through, it would be dangerous, as his acting skills would easily be stereotyped.

“You need to get out of your comfort zone.”

Fangyan touched the wall of the cup.

"Comfort zone?"

Guo Baochang was confused. What kind of word was this?
When Fangyan gave a brief explanation, I couldn't help but sigh that he is a drama theorist after all, and he always uses professional vocabulary.

Moreover, it immediately pointed out the root cause of Gong Xing's predicament.

"When do you plan to inform her about the failed audition?" Fang Yan took a sip of water.

"We have to wait until the award ceremony is over."

Guo Baochang sighed and said that originally there were not many people from other factories willing to come to Guixi Factory for auditions and performances, and a leading actress like Gong Xing in Shanghai Film Studio was even rarer. Moreover, it was unbearable for a girl to come all alone from Shanghai to Guixi, both morally and rationally.

"Gong Xing is a good comrade."

Fangyan sighed.

"That's why Director Wei and I feel bad."

Guo Baochang said earnestly: "In the field of performing arts, you are better than me. If there is a chance in the future, please give her more guidance."

"Let's see if there is such an opportunity."

Fangyan gave a faint smile.

(End of this chapter)