Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 129 [The premiere is star-studded, and the Third Uncle is going to be the Third Master]

There was no fancy red carpet. On the one hand, it was not popular in China, and on the other hand, there were too many people attending the premiere.

Producer Xu Lu is very optimistic about the movie "Sword Rain". As a veteran female fighter in Hong Kong martial arts films, she has the ability to appreciate martial arts films. So after watching the finished film, she is quite optimistic about the performance of the film.

Different from the martial arts films in Hong Kong, it has created an alternative martial arts style that is difficult to describe in words. It is not a traditional hard-core martial arts film, nor is it the chic style of "Once Upon a Time in China" that has been popular in recent years.

But it's sharp!

Every move is filled with a sense of sharpness, whether it is Zeng Jing's water-splitting sword technique, Jiang Asheng's two-handed sword, or the mother-and-child sword of the Wheel-Turning King, they all give people a sense of killing people invisibly.

With still an hour before the movie premiere, Li Yishu was already standing at the entrance of the auditorium with Gong Li, Xu Lu and the leaders of Beijing Film Studio to welcome the invited guests, reporters and film critics.

At the beginning, they were some directors, directors and leaders from Beijing Film Studio.

Li Yishu and the person in charge of the Beijing Film Studio naturally welcomed these people with a smile.

However, actors and celebrities from Hong Kong and Taiwan soon arrived.

Xu Kexiao came over with his wife Shi Nansheng, clasped his hands and said, "Director Li, I wish you a big box office success and win the domestic box office championship in one fell swoop!"

Li Yishu said with a smile: "Director Xu, you are too polite. I will be satisfied if the domestic box office can break even."

Overall, the box office in mainland China this year is relatively poor. The film with the highest number of viewers is "Mr. Zhou". According to data provided by "Popular Movies", the total box office so far is only 70 million.

It sounds pretty good, but if you spread it across a country as big as China, you can imagine how low it is!
However, in September, the price of movie tickets in Yanjing was liberalized and no longer had the same unified price as in the past. The average ticket price was around 9 yuan, and "Sword Rain" just happened to catch this good time.

It is still possible for the film to become the annual box office champion in mainland China, even though there is only half a month left. However, the publicity has been so good, and coupled with the previous war of words, many people know about Li Yishu, a young director, and his upcoming martial arts epic "Sword Rain".

"I'm not being polite. I heard from Mr. Xu before that Director Li's movie can be described as a technical martial arts film."

Xu Ke shook his head and said, "Also, I also watched the Canon commercial you shot in Japan in Hong Kong. It was so wonderful. The bullet time was so beautiful. I don't know how to describe it."

Xu Ke has always been interested in studying new technologies. The 83 film "New Shushan Heroes" was Hong Kong's first fantasy martial arts film. According to later statements, it was a film about cultivating immortals.

Next came "Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate" and "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy", which were developed using 3D technology. Although there was suspicion that they relied on high prices for 3D movie tickets, the courage to create new technology and combine it with old themes is still worthy of recognition.

"Yes."

Shi Nansheng beside him said with a smile: "Director Li, you don't know that ever since the commercial you shot for Canon cameras was broadcast on Hong Kong TVB, Xu Ke couldn't sleep all night. His mind was full of thoughts about how you created the bullet time. He also wanted to learn your technique when he made a movie in the future."

Li Yishu smiled cheerfully and said, "Haha, Director Xu, if you are interested, after the movie is over, I will introduce you to my director of photography Zhao Fei. He is one of the best photography masters in our country. My wild imagination is realized with his help."

After chatting for a few more words, Li Yishu enthusiastically greeted and arranged the staff to escort Xu Ke and his wife into the exhibition hall.

"Director Li!"

Zhang Guorong came over with Zhang Manyu, Anita Mui and others, smiling.

Li Yishu knew all of them. After greeting each other and thanking everyone for coming, he asked curiously, "Isn't Brother Guorong filming in Shaanxi?"

Previously, Zhang Guorong said that he might not have time to come, mainly because he was filming Wang Jiawei's "Ashes of Time" in Shaanxi, and it was unclear when it would be completed.

"Don't mention it. The filming has been stopped again. They said they have a new idea. Let's go back first."

Zhang Guorong covered his forehead helplessly and said, "Director Li, I really regret taking this role. You have finished filming two movies this year, and the second one is about to be released. I don't think you have even finished filming ten minutes of the plot for Wang Jiawei's movie."

"Take your time, it will be finished sooner or later." Li Yishu smiled but said nothing, but it was known that it took three years to shoot.

Only one year has passed this year, and there are still two years to go next year and the year after next.

So don’t even mention 10 points, I guess the whole thing didn’t even take five minutes to shoot!
Zhang Manyu beside him suddenly said, "The pears are falling, and the pigeons are getting angry!"

Li Yishu's eyes lit up: "Kuo Yisa, your words are so overbearing and miserable!"

"It's still possible, it's still possible."

Zhang Manyu said with a smile: "Director Li, how am I doing in learning the Shancheng dialect? I can find a teacher from Shancheng to teach me."

"great!"

Li Yishu gave a thumbs up and said, "Study hard, and when you have learned enough, you will be ready to shoot next summer."

"Not even close!" Zhang Manyu shook her head: "I mainly focus on the script lines."

It is actually not difficult to speak Shancheng dialect. As long as there is someone to teach you, basically anyone can learn it. Unlike Cantonese, which is almost a completely different language, you may not be able to learn it even if you learn it by following a tutorial.

Zhang Guorong was dumbfounded: "What are you talking about?"

"It should be the dialect from Sichuan."

Mei Yanfang narrowed her eyes and smiled: "I have a relative who is from Sichuan and Shu. He speaks very similarly to Manyu and Director Li."

"It's the Shancheng dialect, but it's almost the same as the Sichuan dialect."

Li Yishu smiled and said, "I'm going to be working with Sister Manyu on a movie, and the heroine needs to learn the Shancheng dialect, so let her study hard for half a year."

Zhang Guorong's eyes lit up: "Director Li, do I have a role in the new movie?" "The role doesn't suit you, Brother Guorong."

"Well, that's a shame."

Zhang Guorong had a look of regret on his face. In fact, he has been receiving many film offers now and has no worries about getting roles. He said this just to praise Lee Yi-su.

"Mr. Zhang is here."

At this time, Gong Li also walked over with a smile after greeting several mainland actors.

Zhang Guorong smiled and said, "Ali, I heard from Sister Xu before that your film has a lot of fighting scenes, and they are shot very beautifully."

"yes……"

Gong Li was chatting with a few people. When Li Yishu saw her parents coming with Jiang Qinqin, Han Sanping and others, she said something to Zhang Guorong and others, then strode over quickly.

“Yeshu-ge!”

When Jiang Qinqin saw Li Yishu, she immediately threw herself into his arms. Looking at the huge crowds of people at the entrance of the auditorium, she said excitedly, "There are so many people today."

"A lot of leaders and friends came, as well as directors and actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan invited by Sister Xu."

After Li Yishu touched Jiang Qinqin's little face, he also looked up at his parents and Han Sanping. He greeted his parents first, then said, "Uncle San, didn't you say that Deputy Director Chen was here? Why are you here?"

We were supposed to arrive this morning, but the train was delayed and didn't arrive until the afternoon.

Li Yishu didn't have time to pick him up, so she had to arrange for two staff members from the Beijing Film Studio to help pick him up, so she didn't know that the person who came was Han Sanping.

"Don't welcome me?" Han Sanping smiled.

Li Yishu shook her head and said, "How could that be, Third Uncle? I'm so happy that you came all the way from Sichuan to attend the premiere of my movie."

Seeing that there was no one around and that all the people around were Li Yishu's family members, Han Sanping whispered, "I might be transferred to Beijing Film Studio as deputy director next year."

Ok?
Transferred to Beijing Film Studio as deputy director?
Isn't he the factory manager?
Li Yishu was slightly stunned. He remembered that Han Sanping was directly appointed as the factory director, and it seemed to be in 1994, because Li Yishu also joined Emei Factory at that time. At that time, the fact that Han Sanping went to Beijing Film Studio caused a lot of uproar in Emei Factory.

After returning from further studies at Beijing Film Academy in 1984, Han Sanping began to serve as the deputy director of Emei Factory for ten years. He thought that after outlasting two old directors, it would be his turn, but unexpectedly it was another person.

So there are rumors that Han Sanping was unwilling to give up, and just when there was an opportunity at the Beijing Film Studio, he was transferred there.

Li Jian was surprised and asked, "Old Han, are you going to come to the Beijing Film Studio next year?"

"Yes, I found that there are more opportunities at the Beijing Film Studio."

Han Sanping nodded. Noticing Li Yishu's surprised expression, he laughed and said, "Speaking of which, Old Li, even your son has cooperated with the Beijing Film Studio several times, but the Emei Film Studio, which he grew up with, has never cooperated with him once. This shows how well the Beijing Film Studio has developed."

"I...mainly because I don't have the opportunity. And I have a new movie that will start shooting next summer. I have already chosen the leading actress, Zhang Manyu, a Hong Kong actress who won the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress Award."

Li Yishu touched his nose awkwardly. It wasn't that he didn't want to give back to Emei Factory, it was just that he didn't have the opportunity.

However, the film "Nobody" that he was collaborating with Zhang Manyu was going to be shot in Shancheng, which happened to be a good opportunity to cooperate with Emei Film Studio, and it also prevented the outside world from saying that he was ungrateful in the future.

"Cooperate with Emei Film Studio on a new movie?"

Han Sanping's eyes lit up and he asked, "What movie?"

Li Yishu said: "It's a drama film, with a bit of absurdity and comedy."

"Then it seems I have to come to the Beijing Film Studio later."

Han Sanping rubbed his hands and said, "Yishu, I have been waiting to cooperate with you. If you cooperate with Emei Factory this time, then I must participate."

"No problem, Third Uncle. You can be the producer then."

Li Yishu smiled brightly.

Time passes little by little.

More and more guests arrived, including those who had time and had worked with or knew Li Yishu.

There are Yu Feihong and Situ Zhaodun from the Beijing Film Academy and a few other classmates with whom I had a good relationship before, Zhang Guorong, Zhang Manyu and others from Hong Kong, and Qingxia, Lai Shengchuan, Qiu Fusheng and others from Taiwan.

It was not until Li Yishu met Zhang Yimou who had hurried over from the Xi'an Film Studio that she walked into the auditorium.

On the stage.

Li Yishu held the microphone and expressed his gratitude: "Thank you to all the leaders, reporters, film critics, and friends from the entertainment industry from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong for coming to attend the premiere of our film "Sword Rain". To make a long story short, let's take a walk with the mule or the horse!"

After he finished speaking, he went straight off the stage. Some people who had arrived early had already been waiting for an hour and could not delay any longer.

After Li Yishu came down, the lights in the auditorium gradually dimmed, and a beam of light shone on the screen on the stage.

[Director Lee Ye-seo’s Works]

(End of this chapter)