Huayu: Start by asking ex-girlfriends for alms

Chapter 349: Brother, you are born to be a member of our gang!

Jing Tian was poaching people from Xiying, and Han Jianu's eldest niece was not idle either. She managed to contact an early employee by combing through the relationship chain of her parents' home, Emei Film Studio, and found a big fish!
And Zhen Jiecheng is also familiar with this big fish!

"Brother Hou!"

Zhen Jiecheng greeted him warmly from a distance.

Hou Yong graduated from the orthodox Photography Department of Beijing Film Academy, and was also a member of the most legendary Class of 78.

When she debuted, she started serving Lao Deng'er, and they gave each other their first time.

At that time, the photographers for Director Tian’s graduation work "The Small Courtyard" were: Zhang Yimou, Lui Lok, and Hou Yong!
Since then, they seem to have become a fixed partnership.

Lao Deng'er directed his first feature film "September", and Hou Yong was the cinematographer for the subsequent films "Hunting Ground Zasa" and "Horse Thief".

It was not until 92, when he won a big prize for the movie "The Blue Kite", that he temporarily severed the connection and turned to serving Zhang Yimou: he shot many projects, including award-winning films such as "Not One Less" and "My Father and Mother".

In addition, Hou Yong has also worked with many great directors such as Xie Jin, Guo Baochang, and his old senior classmate Ding Yinnan.

After years of hard work, I naturally transformed myself into a director according to the tradition of the Beijing Film Academy's Photography Department.

When "Jasmine" was filmed in 03, Lao Deng'er served as the producer; Zhang Ziyi played the female lead; and Jiang Wen starred in the film for free.

Seeing this, "Lu Datou's Appointment" immediately contacted Hou Yong to do an exclusive interview with "Jasmine Blossoms", but when he learned that Jiang Wen would not come, he immediately cancelled the recording notice. His snobbish behavior was immediately criticized by many bigwigs including the president of Poly Huayi.

This shows that Hou Yong's photography skills are superb, otherwise he would not have been able to accumulate so many connections and receive such strong support from the circle.

Unfortunately, compared to photography, Hou Yong is obviously not used to the transition to directing.

There have been attempts from the silver screen to the television screen, but the results have not been satisfactory.

"Jiecheng!" Seeing Zhen Jiecheng jogging towards him, Hou Yong also hurriedly quickened his pace.

"Brother, welcome, welcome!" Zhen Jiecheng skipped the handshake and grabbed Hou Yong's arm. "I've been looking forward to your coming! Brother, you don't know how hard it is for me, your junior brother!"

"The photographers in the team are one long-haired Taiwanese and one bald Hong Konger. They always complain about being tired and going on strike, and they always complain about needing to rest. I can't say anything or scold them, I can only bend down, put on a smile, coax them, and serve them!"

"Why do they dare to take such an attitude? Besides bullying me because I'm young, aren't they just relying on their monopoly?"

Zhen Jiecheng talked incessantly, saliva flying everywhere.

The next second, his expression changed from aggrieved to happy.

"But it's all right now, someone from my mother's family is here!"

"Brother, you are my confidence!"

"With you here, they won't dare to do that anymore"

"Wait, Jiecheng!" Hou Yong's cheek twitched. "Well, we haven't even started discussing cooperation yet, why are we jumping straight to 'later'?"

"Brother, look at what you said, isn't it a bit strange?"

"We are brothers from the same school. Is there any need to talk about our relationship?" Zhen Jiecheng raised his hand and waved, "You can just work for me until you retire!"

"Don't worry, brother. I promise that you will enjoy the whole shoot. You can give full play to your abilities and gain a sense of accomplishment from various challenges."

Hou Yong: (_)
Brothers from the same school?

Emmm, Zhang Yuan seems to be the same, and Lu Chuan even more so!
Work till retirement? Live life to the fullest?

The "hehehe" laughter of the two old friends when I asked Cao Jiuping and Ji Jianming yesterday immediately rang in my mind.

This made Hou Yong shudder inexplicably.

Then look at the junior brother in front of him with thick eyebrows and big eyes, the sixth-generation leader produced by his alma mater, a pure man who is famous for his politeness and good behavior both inside and outside the circle.

My legs and feet felt as if they were filled with lead, and my steps became heavy and stiff.

Hiss! I'm afraid we're about to run into a den of thieves.

Is it too late to leave now?
"Brother, you know Lao Li, right? He is Li Pingbin from the north of Taiwan."

"You know that I respect the elderly and love the young. In fact, even if Lao Li didn't complain, I would have arranged for him to take a rest."

"So you will be partnering with Lao Bao for this project. Lao Bao doesn't need to rest. He works as an art director for Tian Tian. Although he carries a lot of cameras, it's not a lot."

"Most importantly, I plan to focus on Cannes next. Lao Li has already won the Best Cinematography Award at Cannes, so he has no shortage of awards."

Along the way, Zhen Jiecheng gave a detailed introduction.

To Hou Yong, it sounded like the three major European awards were like the Golden Rooster and Huabiao.

The highest art palace that countless filmmakers have longed for in their lives is like a child's toy: this one is available, no shortage. This one is not available, get ready to take it.

It makes people feel unreal!
But if you think about it carefully, it is indeed the case.

Together with Li Pingbin, he has won three photography awards from Cannes, Venice and Oscar. Only Berlin is left to achieve the Grand Slam!

My colleague Pau Tak-hei has won two Oscars and one Venice Film Festival!

He is already recognized as a master of photography internationally.

Hiss! As a commoner, I'm afraid the pressure is a bit too much!

"Brother, your level is beyond doubt. I have 200% confidence in you. Partnering with Lao Bao will be a breeze and you will be able to handle the situation with ease."

"Although Lao Li is on rotation, it doesn't matter where he rests. He can definitely come visit the crew!"

"I'll call him over then, and then you can show us your skills and why our Beijing Film Academy Photography Department is the dominant force in the Chinese film industry!"

Hearing this, Hou Yong's steps became heavier.

This time, I came here not only to help out at the invitation of my niece, but also to learn from her. For this reason, I turned down a spy war suspense drama project: "The Angry Photographer".

If directing is not going well, learn from others. It is not shameful to discuss directing experience with fellow students from your alma mater.

But at this moment, Hou Yong had forgotten all about "seeking the scriptures". All he could think about was how to not lose out to two colleagues with equal honors.

The unconditional trust of my junior classmates, the golden signboard of my alma mater, and my personal confidence and pride are all concentrated together at this moment.

Hiss! If the difference is revealed by comparison, it will be a huge embarrassment!

And it's not just your own face that's lost!
"Senior brother."

"Jiecheng! As your senior brother, please stop talking for now, okay?" Hou Yong couldn't hold it in any longer and interrupted him quickly.

With a bitter face,
"Let Senior Brother take it easy! Be quiet for a while!"

"But brother, we are almost at school. I'm afraid you can't slow down or be quiet."

"Ah? We're here so soon?" Hou Yong looked out the window. His alma mater was right in front of him. In the distance, he vaguely saw familiar faces. An old classmate from the class of 78 was smiling brightly and waving.

"Old Hou!" Old Deng came up to him enthusiastically, skipping the handshake and hugging him. "I feel more at ease knowing that you are helping Jiecheng!"

"Ahem, Mr. Tian, ​​we haven't started talking yet, not yet."

"Talk?" Lao Deng'er raised his eyebrows. "Is there any need to talk? In my opinion, there is no need to sign a contract! Does Jie Cheng dare to cheat you? I'll give him eighteen courage!"

"Lao Hou, just put your heart at ease."

"Jiecheng is only 30 years old. He has a long creative life ahead of him. He will definitely keep you busy until you can no longer work."

"It saves you from having to move around so you can wait for retirement with peace of mind."

Hou Yong: ()
Wait, why does this scene look so familiar?

"Old Hou, you should have come earlier!"

"Look at Jiecheng's team. There is only one Tao Jing who is from our Beijing Film Academy, but he is not a permanent resident. His Beijing background is too low!"

"As the old saying goes, brothers working together can break metal. With you here, Jiecheng will have his in-laws to use, and he will be more confident on the set!"

Is there a mother's family member who can use it? How to use it?
Also, when has he ever felt insecure on the set?

You old man, do you really think I'm blind and deaf? Are you oblivious to what's happening outside?

Hou Yong's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably again, and seeing that his old classmate was still going to speak, "Stop, stop, stop, Lao Tian, ​​please stop talking for now, okay?"

"I want to slow down, I want to be quiet."

"Emmm, I'm afraid you won't be able to slow down." Director Tian stopped and pointed towards the corridor, "Look, everyone is here."

"Old Hou!" Zhang Huijun strode forward, "Hahaha, I didn't expect Jiecheng to pull you out. Emmm, here you come."

"Old Hou!" Cui Xinqin greeted with a smile, "You must do your best to help Jiecheng make a good film. Jiecheng is a junior, and as his senior brother, you must support him a little."

"Old Hou"

One after another, even the silly bird of the old man in the message room joined in the fun.

"Old Hou! Old Hou! Damn Zhen Jiecheng!"

Hou Yong: (￣ェ￣;)
"Shit! What's your business? If you keep yelling nonsense, I'll cut your mouth!" Zhen Jiecheng walked up and started scolding him. He then took out a handful of chacha melon seeds from his pocket, turned his back to Hou Yong, and threw them into the birdcage without leaving a trace.

Good bird! Can talk!

Come on, come on, if you can speak, say more!

The office was bustling with noise, especially under the lighting of the display cabinets, the atmosphere became even more heated.

Although he had heard of it before, Hou Yong was still dazzled.

But even though I was dodged, I still couldn't help but focus my eyes.

Two golden lions, a little golden man, and a golden palm, shining brightly!
Let me ask: Faced with such a stunning scene, which filmmaker would be willing to look away?

But what Hou Yong didn't know was that there was no Palme d'Or originally. It was because of his coming that Director Tian borrowed the "genuine" Palme d'Or trophy donated by Zhen Jiecheng from the school's Honor Exhibition Hall.

"It's so beautiful!" Hou Yong couldn't help but say.

"Of course not. I specially adjusted the lighting!" Director Tian held his head high. "The display cabinet was specially made. Even the placement was matched with the lighting and the composition was processed."

"It's beautiful even without lighting! It's beautiful even without composition!" Hou Yong blurted out without thinking.

The next second, he let out another long sigh.

Alas! There is definitely no going back!
This old man and this young boy are the most filthy of the thieves in a den of thieves! They take turns to attack the yin and yang, and even the birds are not spared!
Forget it, I won’t reply then.

After all, we also came from a den of thieves, so how can we look down on our own people?

Thinking about it, he turned to look at Zhen Jiecheng.

"Jie Cheng, what do you think about the project to enter the Cannes Film Festival?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Jiecheng did not answer immediately. Instead, he opened his handbag, took out several folders, and handed one to each person.

"I prepared three in total, but one of them I don't plan to shoot right now, so I brought two scripts with me."

"Choose one of the two for the next project?" Director Tian asked as he took the folder.

"Yes!" Zhen Jiecheng nodded, "Please correct me, teachers and leaders."

Then, he handed the last copy to Hou Yong and said solemnly:
"Brother, welcome to the team!"

The words fell, but there was no answer.

Looking up, I saw everyone with their heads down.

The hustle and bustle just now seemed like a dream, and you could hear a pin drop in the office!
Hou Yong found a nearby chair and sat down, then couldn't wait to open the folder and flipped through the first script.

Title of the drama: "Shoplifters".

1. Supermarket, night, inside.

Mingli and his father Mingde arrived at the door of a supermarket.

Mingli, carrying his schoolbag, stood at the door and looked inside. His father, with his shopping basket across his arm, took an orange from the stall next to him, peeled it and gave half to his son. After Mingli took the orange, the two of them walked inside as if nothing had happened.

The two of them ate as they walked into the supermarket. Mingde took another box of fruit from the shelf and put it in the basket. The father and son bumped their fists together, made eye contact, and then walked away.
2. Street, night, outside.

Mingli and Mingde came to a snack stand on the street.
3. Downstairs in the community, at night, outside.

Hou Yong read it carefully, looking back from time to time and stopping to think from time to time.

Poor families in the city often walk on the edge of the law to make a living. But it is with good intentions that they bind each other and bring warmth to people in the cold city.

Very calculating, bittersweet.

The first half of the script is slow and comfortable, while the second half is ups and downs.

First, bring the family together closely, and then separate them, squeezing out the last drop of rough and primitive humanity from this family!
I have to say, this is cruel.

But. This is art!
Humanity is the passport to art, and it is also the passport to Cannes and even all the top film festivals!
Hou Yong closed the script and closed his eyes. While quietly digesting the surging emotions in his heart, he was also imagining how Zhen Jiecheng would interpret the script.

As we all know, a good director is one who can present the content of the story completely and smoothly on the screen!
Based on the script, the director's wave-particle duality is used to exert a higher level of imagination:
Or Lao Chen - "Farewell My Concubine" version!

Or Lao Chen - "The Promise" version!

"Jie Cheng will definitely be fine! He has already filmed "Parasite". Both focus on the living conditions and difficulties of families at the bottom of society, showing the unconventional means they take to survive. There are similarities in themes and criticisms."

Hou Yong was very confident about this and had no doubt that Zhen Jiecheng could film this script to a high standard.

"What a script!"

"No wonder going to Europa League Three is like buying goods. Jie Cheng really knows the three leagues too well and understands art too well!"

“Whether it’s the choice of subject matter or the deconstruction of conflicts and routines, it’s as if it was tailor-made for Cannes!”

After sighing in his heart, he quickly calmed down and opened the second script.

However, this time, Hou Yong frowned slightly.

Without a doubt, it is still a good script!
But it seems that the exploration of "human nature" is not as good as that of "Shoplifters", which just lacks the label of "competing for the Palme d'Or" on its forehead.

And it's a huge test of the actors' acting skills! Just like "Joker", it's a one-man show!

Likewise, the test of the director's "imagination" is extremely high. Regarding the Cannes entry, the same effort put into "Shoplifters" would have achieved twice the result with half the effort; but here, it would have achieved half the result with twice the effort.

"Why would Jie Cheng put these two scripts together and choose one from the other?"

"Isn't it obvious? Shoplifters is definitely more suitable."

"Hey, wait!"

Hou Yong suddenly widened his eyes.

"Fuck, can this be played as a trick? First lay the knife, then show the sword? Damn! You have such a dirty mind!"

"No, Jie Cheng's move is more than just a simple piecing together! This is just a preliminary draft. The subsequent filming will definitely be competitive! Not only for Cannes, but also for the Oscars!"

"Hiss! Using the swords of two families at the same time? Using the blade that can cut hair to slash two families at the same time?"

"As expected! The same bed doesn't make two different people, and an old rogue can't teach a good student. All those raised in this rotten nest are scum, assholes, and bastards!"

Hou Yongyu spat inwardly, then raised his head and looked around. Seeing that everyone was still concentrating, he waved to Zhen Jiecheng.

When he came closer, he asked softly:

"Jie Cheng, no matter what suggestions we give, you should plan to shoot this "Father Trapped in Time" first, right?"

Hearing this, Zhen Jiecheng was stunned.

Hiss! This awakening!
Wow, you adapted so quickly?
Even before joining the group, he's already firmly adhering to the principle of "no seniority on the set, the director has the final say"?

Thinking of this, I give a thumbs up from the bottom of my heart:
"Brother, you understand me!"

"I take back my 'welcome'!"

"You don't need a welcome, you are born to be part of our gang!"

(End of this chapter)