The literary era since 1979

"Francis, finally seeing you again."

Fangyan took the initiative to hug and greet Francis Coppola, Nicolas Cage and others.

"Yes, I have been looking forward to this day for a long time."

Francis Coppola said that he had been looking forward to "Farewell My Concubine" ever since he learned that it would be competing at the Cannes Film Festival.

“These people are the main creators of Farewell My Concubine.”

Fangyan introduced Gong Xing, Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Jiang Wen and others to him one by one.

When Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige meet their idols, they are either nervous and reserved, or full of worship and awe.

When it was Gong Xing's turn, Fang Yan smiled and said, "She is the director of Farewell My Concubine."

Francis Coppola looked her up and down, amazed, “I didn’t expect it would be such a young female director!”

"Although she is young, she is already an experienced director. She has made many films both in the mainland and in Hong Kong, and her standards and achievements are not low. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have trusted her with Farewell My Concubine."

Seeing Fangyan praising himself so much, Gong Xing blushed and was speechless.

"Of course, in addition to these, there is also an old Chinese saying, 'Appoint the virtuous regardless of their relationship.'"

Fang Yan said: "She is my wife. I know better than anyone how much energy and talent she has."

Sofia Coppola and Nicolas Cage looked at each other and said, "The director of "Farewell My Concubine" is your wife!"
Fangyan noticed their strange looks and curled his lips.

When it comes to "nepotism", others can point fingers, but your Coppola family can't. Let's not talk about Nicolas Cage, just talk about Sofia Coppola. The biggest failure in "The Godfather 3" is that she played Michael Corleone's daughter.

The result was that he was repeatedly humiliated by the Golden Raspberry Awards and even ridiculed as the "wooden man" in the movie "The Godfather".

Compared with his daughter and nephew, Francis Coppola highly praised the idea of ​​"promoting the virtuous regardless of relatives":
"The more you say that, the more I look forward to the filming of Farewell My Concubine by your beautiful and talented wife."

"Then let us wait and see what happens next."

Fangyan glanced and saw the organizing committee staff begin to guide Gong Xing, Zhang Yimou and others to the stage.

In addition to the red carpet show, the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival also features opening speeches from festival officials, directors and actors.

Fang Yan gave this rare opportunity to fellow screenwriters Lu Wei and Li Bihua, and decided not to steal the limelight from everyone else.

Sitting with Francis Coppola, talking in low voices, the topic gradually turned to Steven Spielberg's commission.

"I received an invitation from Fox not long ago. Murdoch hopes that I can write a script that combines business and art, regardless of cost and subject matter. It just so happens that I thought of a novel by my friend, which may be suitable for adaptation into a very good story."

"I think it would be great if you or Spielberg were to film this story."

"I?"

Francis Coppola waved his hand and said with a sad look: "Fang, logically I shouldn't refuse your kindness."

Then he sighed, "But I'm sorry, I'm retired now, and I may not be filming for a long time."

"Daddy (Uncle)!"

Sofia Coppola and Nicolas Cage are extremely anxious. This is the script written by Fang Yan himself. Maybe it will really help him make a comeback!
Seeing that Francis Coppola insisted on refusing, Fangyan did not force him, but tactfully suggested:

"How about this, as my old friend, you can help me with this script?"

"That's no problem, but it's better to wait until I finish watching Farewell My Concubine."

"That's natural!"

While the two were chatting privately, nearly 10,000 audience members from all over the world filed into the venue.

The premiere ceremony of "Farewell My Concubine" was held here grandly, with camera lights flashing constantly.

Facing such a serious situation, Gong Xing took a deep breath and calmed his panicked heart.

Then he took out the speech he had prepared long ago, and the content was finalized after repeated polishing and revisions with the help of dialect. "Dear audience friends and film colleagues:

Today, we gather in Cannes, the palace of art, to witness the beginning of a dialogue between Chinese films and the world."

“We are honored that Farewell My Concubine has been selected as the opening film of the Cannes Film Festival. As the exhibitor, we feel that the film is not only because of its fascinating storyline and profound and complex theme, but also because it symbolizes an artistic power that transcends culture and touches people’s hearts - this power is exactly the core spirit that we hope to convey to the world through movies…”

"The birth of Farewell My Concubine is inseparable from the sincerity and courage of a group of filmmakers. Just like the screenwriter Fang Yan, when creating the film, he incorporated historical reflections and examinations of human nature into the script, emphasizing that 'we have never avoided history, but have had a sincere dialogue with the audience through stories.'"

"........."

“We hope that Farewell My Concubine can become a name card, a bridge, and a witness for the exchange of films and cultures between the East and the West!”

"We have always hoped that through international film festivals, we can vividly convey more Chinese stories to audiences around the world."

"Clap clap clap!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar and thunderous applause echoed throughout the theater.

Immediately afterwards, "Farewell My Concubine" officially opened, accompanied by the black and white images and the accompaniment music of Peking Opera.

"I, Little Shitou, am serious today. Let me open your eyes!"

With a howl of "Ah", Xiaodouzi, who was fearless like a newborn calf, hit his head with a brick like a little bully.

This "domineering spirit" has always accompanied him from learning skills to becoming famous, but it has been gradually worn away and eliminated as he grew older.

Cheng Dieyi, who has sung "I Was Originally a Girl" for half his life, finally began to realize that he is actually a man!

In the old society, people could be turned into ghosts, let alone turning men into women?

Amid the cries of "Your Majesty, please give me the sword," Cheng Dieyi pulled out Duan Xiaolou's sword and ended his life by committing suicide.

The film, which lasted more than two hours, was over very quickly.

The screen slowly dimmed and the lights came back on.

There was an eerie silence in the audience, and the air seemed to be tense for a moment, but then, as if by appointment, all the audience stood up.

"Whoosh!"

Then, there was a wave of applause, warm and long. They thanked the movie from the bottom of their hearts and liked the story.

At this time, Gong Xing bent over and covered his face tightly, but did not dare to cry loudly. His tender white fingers were soaked with tears, which blocked his vision.

And in front of her, in the blur, was the man she loved.

"Why are you still crying?"

Fangyan didn't bring any tissues either, so he helped wipe her tears pitifully and said with a smile, "You should be happy that the movie is popular!"

"I do not know either."

Gong Xing shook his head and sobbed softly: "I, I just want to cry."

"Crying also counts as time."

Fangyan signaled with his eyes and then stood up.

Gong Xing understood what was meant and quickly wiped away her tears. She also stood up and walked to the front of the stage with Zhang Yimou, Jiang Wen, Zhang Guorong and others.

At the same time, he kept waving and responding to the audience, reporters and critics in all directions. When the movie fans saw the leading actor and actress in the film appear, they became even more excited. They were not satisfied with just clapping, but surrounded them.

There was even an old French lady who came over, grabbed Zhang Guorong's hand, talked a lot, then left with a tear in her eye.

"Look at this scene, we shouldn't cry, we should laugh."

Fang Yan lowered his voice to Gong Xing and said, "Because we made Cannes fall in love with Chinese-language films!" (End of this chapter)