The literary era since 1979

After getting the outline and script of the first part of "Feng Yun", Ma Rongcheng couldn't wait to start creating it.

After all, from the preparation of the movie "Chinese Hero" to now, I haven't started drawing for nearly half a year.

However, in order not to violate the contract with Wong Yuk-long's company, Ma Rongcheng can only design the images for Bu Jingyun, Nie Feng, Xiong Ba and other positive and negative characters for the time being. As expected, there are no surprises, it is still the familiar Hong Kong comic style, and each of them is a muscular and tough guy with broad shoulders and thick waist.

Fangyan had to speak up to remind them, and only then did this tough style, which was as tough as that of "Fist of the North Star", gradually become restrained.

"Mr. Fang, I have designed several versions of the character 'Xiong Ba'."

Ma Rongcheng handed over a stack of design drafts, "Can you give me some advice?"

Fangyan took it and took a look. His painting style had clearly broken away from the traditional Hong Kong comics style and began to incorporate the freehand style of Chinese landscape paintings.

Flipping through the pictures one by one, there is a traceable image design of each "Xiong Ba". For example, this one looks like "Huang Yaoshi" in the 83 version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", and another one looks like the protagonist of "Heavenly Silkworm Change", "Xu Shaoqiang".

"Xiong Ba, as the name suggests, is a person who lives up to his name, and emphasizes a domineering and arrogant attitude, looking down on the world. None of these pictures have that feeling."

"You are absolutely right!"

Ma Rongcheng sighed, "Actually, I'm not too satisfied with these pictures either, but how to draw a domineering and sinister hero like Xiong Ba? I really don't know where to start." Then he cast a questioning look, "Can you describe what kind of Xiong Ba you want to see?"

"Well, I can recommend you someone."

Fangyan suggested that he design the appearance of "Xiongba" based on this person's appearance.

Ma Rongcheng suddenly became excited. He thought the recommendation would be an actor from Hong Kong or the mainland, but he didn't expect it to be a Japanese actor.

"Chiba Shinichi, who is this person?"

"He once performed in Keiko Matsuzaka's Kamata March."

Fang Yan said: "His facial features are closer to the image of 'Xiong Ba' in my mind, of course he has long hair and a beautiful beard."

Ma Rongcheng wrote the name on the paper and said, "I'll ask someone to help me find a photo of Chiba Shinichi later."

Fang Yan glanced at his watch, then patted him on the shoulder, stood up and said:
"I have to go to the airport to pick up my wife in a while, so I'll leave first."

………………

Kai Tak International Airport at dusk.

Gong Xing walked out of the VIP channel pulling his suitcase, and a familiar face not far away suddenly came into his sight.

A long separation is better than a new love. The two people who had not seen each other for less than half a month hugged each other without any hesitation in front of passers-by.

After a while of tenderness, Fang Yan felt something pressing against his body and lowered his head to take a look:
"what is this?"

"It's red wine."

Gong Xing said that the gift Francesco Polato gave him was the wine produced in his own winery.

"When I go to the United States to attend the Oscars, I will definitely have a few more drinks with him."

Fang Yan took the gift box with one hand, held her hand with the other, and walked towards the parking lot.

The two were chatting about the casting of "The Intouchables". Al Pacino and Denzel Washington were cast as partners. As for the actress who would play the mysterious pen pal of a wealthy man in the movie, they unanimously recommended Ching-Hsia Lin to make a cameo appearance. Francis Coppola did not refuse for their sake.

"Francis can't wait to film The Intouchables and is preparing to compete for an Oscar next year."

Gong Xing got into the car and said, "It really is..."

"I am an old man who is full of youthful enthusiasm, right?"

Fangyan smiled.

"Yes, she is completely different from before she took on the role in The Intouchables. She looks several decades younger."

Gong Xing tilted his head and rested it on his shoulder. "But speaking of the Oscars, the competition is very fierce this time."

Fangyan asked: "Is it similar to Rain Man?"

Gong Xing hummed and said that although Farewell My Concubine won the Golden Globe Awards, Rain Man was the best film in the 13 film critics associations that are the outposts of the Oscars, winning the Best Picture in the National Critics Association, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, etc. Farewell My Concubine only won the Best Picture in four outposts: Florida, New York, Los Angeles, and the Southeast.

"Don't worry too much. Reid, Murdoch and others are more active and anxious than us in the Oscar race for Farewell My Concubine."

Fang Yan patted the back of her hand and comforted her for a while.

"makes sense."

Gong Xing looked up and asked, "How is In the Mood for Love going? Before I returned to China, Zhu Lin called me."

"Did she tell you about how Wang Jiawei tortured her?" Fang Yan's mouth curled up slightly.

"Yes, Zhu Lin told me that she and Guo Rong are now working in the crew and their days are like years. Is that really that exaggerated?"

Gong Xing blinked.

Fangyan then told her all the interesting stories from In the Mood for Love one by one.

For example, Zhang Guorong really couldn't stand Zhou Muyun's slicked-back hair style. Once he spent three days trying to wash out the greasy hair. Finally, he had to use detergent to reluctantly wash his hair. According to him, people with greasy hair can be used for cooking.

"Pfft!"

Gong Xing smiled sweetly, "Did he really say that?"

"Of course."

Fangyan shrugged.

"Where's Zhu Lin?"

Gong Xing found it more and more interesting.

"She gradually began to adapt to Wang Jiawei's shooting rhythm and style."

Fang Yan talked about how he often counselled Zhang Guorong and Zhu Lin on the set.

"But I heard her say that sometimes Wang Jiawei doesn't know what he wants, and he can't explain it clearly even when asked."

Gong Xing couldn't help but worry, "I'm going to work with him on In the Mood for Love next time. Will this situation happen again?"

Fang Yan said: "Don't worry, I found him specifically to assist you. Everything will be under your command, but..."

Gong Xing was very surprised: "But what?"

"You should listen to his advice on composition, light and shadow, and chiaroscuro."

The dialect has a serious tone.

"I also heard Zhu Lin say this. She said Wang Jiawei was the director who made her look the most beautiful in all her years of acting."

Gong Xing said: "Is Wang Jiawei really a good filmmaker? How does he compare to Zhang Yimou?"

"The two have completely different styles. Zhang Yimou focuses on using colors to express emotions and narratives, while Wang Jiawei focuses on light, shadow and composition."

Fang Yan said: "His photography composition is very interesting. In the Mood for Love has a lot of two-person dialogue scenes, but he always makes sure that only one person appears in the scene, and the other person is either out of focus or simply out of the picture... In addition, there are mirrors in every scene."

Gong Xing asked: "Why do we need to arrange mirrors?"

“This is where Wang Jiawei’s composition is so clever.”

Fang Yan said that the mirror reflects the facing figures of two people, and the composition of the picture with a voyeuristic perspective allows the audience to objectively peek into this relationship from the perspective of a third person. The two people exchanged glances while having a midnight snack, and saw how they secretly bought pots and bowls and food, tried hard to avoid the scrutiny of the hotel owner, and lived a life with smoke rising from the kitchen. The affair was performed passionately and secretly, which greatly strengthened the sense of immorality of Su Lizhen and Zhou Muyun.

“I didn’t expect it could be like this!”

Gong Xing couldn't help but be shocked.

"You should observe his directing style more while on set, it will definitely be of great benefit to you."

Fangyan cast a meaningful look. (End of this chapter)