Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 138 [South of the Colorful Clouds, Temporary Suspension of Filming]

Li Yishu and his group flew to Yunnan.

Xishuangbanna can be said to be the area in China that is closest to the climate of Southeast Asia. It is also connected to Laos and Myanmar, and one river connects six countries.

After arriving in Kunming, Yunnan, Li Yishu felt hot as soon as she got off the plane.

After getting off the plane, Li Yishu and others took off their coats. They didn't expect that it would be so hot in Kunming before they even arrived in Xishuangbanna.

Xiao Yejin also quickly took off his coat: "Director brother, this place is much hotter than Jinan."

"Haha, you haven't been to Xishuangbanna yet. Once you get there, you'll know how hot it is."

Li Yishu laughed heartily.

"Is this true? It's January now." Xiao Ye Jin was stunned. He didn't expect that there would be a hotter day in January.

"You will know when you go."

Li Yishu smiled and glanced at Gong Li and the others. Seeing that they had taken off their coats one by one, she reminded them, "There are many ethnic minorities in Xishuangbanna. We will also go to the villages to film. Although the staff of the Yunnan Film Studio will accompany us, we must be careful with our words."

Everyone said in unison: "I understand, Director."

"Let's go, the people from Yunnan Film Studio are here."

As soon as Li Yishu arrived at the departure gate, she saw someone holding a sign.

After seeing Li Yishu, the two middle-aged men immediately stepped forward and said enthusiastically: "Director Li, welcome, welcome to our Yunnan to film."

Li Yishu didn't know their names yet, so she politely said, "Hello."

The leading man reacted and quickly introduced himself: "Hello, Director Li, I am Bai Shaojie, the deputy director of Yunnan Film Studio, and this is Zhang Gang, the director of the production department."

"It turns out to be Director Bai. Hello, hello. I didn't expect Director Bai to come and greet me in person. I really don't deserve it."

Li Yishu was also surprised that the visitor was actually the deputy director of Yunnan Film Studio.

Director Bai smiled and said, "Director Li, you are too polite. Our Yunnan Film Studio hasn't had an outstanding director like you come to shoot in many years. Your coming to Yunnan to shoot a movie will bring glory to our Yunnan."

Li Yishu was naturally not going to neglect the politeness and immediately smiled warmly, "Director Bai, you are too polite. Yunnan has beautiful scenery and I have long wanted to come here to take a look. In addition, the performance of dancer Yang Liping's "Spirit of the Bird" a few years ago caused a sensation across the country. Now I finally have the opportunity to come here by filming a movie. I can't tell you how happy I am."

Director Bai laughed and said, "Haha, I didn't expect Director Li also likes Yang Liping's "Spirit of the Bird". That's great. It just so happens that the Xishuangbanna Song and Dance Troupe is coming to Kunming to perform recently, and they will perform "Spirit of the Bird". Director Li, no matter what you say, I have to go and see it in person. Only by watching "Spirit of the Bird" dance live can you feel the beauty of the peacock."

Gong Li, who was standing next to her, was surprised and asked, "Didn't Yang Liping go to participate in the Spring Festival Gala? Did she go back to Yunnan?"

Director Bai said awkwardly, "Uh, Ms. Gong Li misunderstood. It was not Yang Liping who danced it. But I can guarantee that the dancer's performance was no less impressive than Yang Liping's. She learned the Peacock Dance since she was a child."

"Haha, it seems that Yunnan is really a place of outstanding people and dancers."

Li Yishu said with a smile: "Director Bai, why don't we go to the hotel first? It doesn't look good to be blocked in the airport."

"Yes, let's go. I have already arranged a hotel. I guarantee it will be comfortable."

Director Bai warmly greeted Li Yishu and his group as they left the airport. The bus arranged by the studio had been waiting outside for a long time. After getting on the bus, they went straight to a nice hotel in Kunming.

night.

Backstage at Kunming Theater.

A beautiful woman in Dai costume came over with a smile on her face: "Hello, I'm Wan Meihan, nice to meet you."

"Director Li, Miss Gong Li."

Director Bai enthusiastically introduced Li Yishu and the others, "This is Wan Meihan, our Peacock Princess of Yunnan. She is not only an excellent dancer, but also a film actress."

"I know."

Seeing the person coming, Gong Li's eyes immediately lit up. She strode forward, took the initiative to extend her hand and said enthusiastically: "Lang Tui Han, nice to meet you. I have seen your film "Lang Tui Han" and I really like your role as the Peacock Princess."

Wan Meihan was surprised and asked, "Ms. Gong Li has also seen my performance in Lang Tuihan?"

Gong Li nodded repeatedly: "Yes, I watched your movie when I was studying at the Central Academy of Drama. At that time, I was wondering how there could be such a beautiful woman in the world. Her beautiful singing voice and graceful dancing posture were really fascinating!"

Wan Meihan smiled brightly and said, "Thank you. I didn't expect that after ten years, there are still people who like it."

“Classic films will always be loved by people even after 20, 30, or 100 years.”

Gong Li really likes this movie, or rather, she likes Lang Tuihan (translated as: Peacock Princess) played by Wan Meihan in the play. At that time, she had just entered the Central Academy of Drama not long ago. It was the first time she saw Dai dance in a movie, the first time she listened to Dai songs, and the first time she saw a Dai beauty.

It's like when many people watch Yang Liping's "Spirit of the Bird" dance for the first time, if they calm down and pay attention, they will be deeply attracted by the peacock dance posture imitated by the other party.

After getting to know each other, Wan Meihan said goodbye and went to the dressing room to prepare. She would perform the peacock dance in the evening.

Different from "The Soul of the Peacock" adapted by Yang Liping, the Peacock Dance is a local dance of Yunnan, and it is divided into factions in different regions.

Li Yishu and others returned to the front desk and sat in the audience. He also asked curiously: "Sister Gong Li, I didn't realize you also like Dai dance?"

"Why? Can't I like it?"

Gong Li said with emotion: "To be honest, I still like Ms. Dao Meilan's peacock dance the most. When I was in the Central Academy of Drama, I watched a video of her stage play. She danced really well. It's a pity that I never had the chance to meet Ms. Dao."

"Is he also from Yunnan?" It was the first time that Li Yishu had heard of this person. In his impression, the only person who could perform the Peacock Dance was Yang Liping.

"Yes, from Yunnan."

"Then why don't you ask Director Bai to help introduce you to someone else, so that you can fulfill your wish?"

"Isn't this...not good?"

Gong Li seemed a little hesitant.

Li Yishu laughed and said, "Haha, I'm just helping to introduce him. It's hard to say whether he is free or not."

Gong Li couldn't help but look forward to it, and said, "Okay, then please tell Director Bai for me that if there is no problem with Ms. Dao, I will visit her in person." Li Yishu nodded, "No problem, I will tell Director Bai after I finish reading it."

After more than ten minutes.

Dancers began to take the stage one after another.

Half an hour later, it was Wan Meihan's turn to perform the Peacock Dance on stage.

It was the first time for Li Yishu to watch the traditional Dai peacock dance, which was quite different from Yang Liping's "Spirit of the Peacock".

The former gives people a soft and gentle feeling, while the latter has a bit more coolness.

This is like Tai Chi, which is divided into different factions with different fighting styles. Some people are soft yet hard, while others are hard yet soft.

"It's so beautiful."

Gong Li's eyes sparkled. Every woman has a dream of dancing in her heart, just as every man has a dream of kung fu.

Li Yishu nodded: "She is very beautiful, worthy of being the Peacock Princess."

"Yeah, I didn't expect that at the age of 30, Wan Meihan can still dance so well. Her figure is really enviable."

Gong Li is a person who tends to gain weight easily. After becoming an actress, she began to control her food intake. However, despite this, she still gives people the impression of being plump. But in fact, she has already controlled her food intake very well.

So when she saw that Wan Meihan was 30 years old, but still had such a good figure and her dance moves were still so graceful, she couldn't help but look at Li Yishu and said, "Do you think I should learn dancing too? I think dancers are all very thin."

"Don't do that." Li Yishu quickly shook her head: "Being an actor is hard enough for you, and you want to learn dancing, wouldn't that be even harder?"

“But I also want to lose weight.”

Gong Li touched her lower abdomen. Although she had no belly, there was still some flesh.

"What's the good of being thinner?"

Li Yishu leaned close to her ear and smiled, "I like you like this. It's more comfortable to hug you."

"Hate!"

Gong Li pushed him and snorted, "Your mind is full of that!"

"There's nothing I can do about it. Food, sex, and love are the greatest desires of human beings!"

Li Yishu said with a smile: "And Sister Gong Li, have you noticed that the weather in Yunnan can easily make people feel hot?"

Hearing this, Gong Li rolled her eyes and said, "Just watch the dance. If you miss this time, you don't know when you will have time next time."

"If you want to see it, I will definitely come with you, anytime."

"Really?"

"real!"

"Forget it. You're such a busy person. You're going to the United States to film a movie soon."

Gong Li had a smile on her face, and it was obvious that Li Yishu's words made her feel happy.

Seeing that she said one thing and meant another, Li Yishu just smiled without saying anything. He now realized that Gong Li was just harsh in words, which was in stark contrast to her future nickname of Gong Huang.

Time passes little by little.

After arriving in Xishuangbanna, thanks to the weather there, which was not too cold, the actors made rapid progress.

But hot weather also has its troubles.

Perhaps Xiao Yejin was not used to the environment here. After filming for a few days, he fell ill and was hospitalized.

After going to the hospital for a check-up, it was found that it was due to acclimatization that caused mild diarrhea and vomiting.

It’s mainly about the relationship between food and water.

In the hospital, Li Yishu touched Xiao Yejin's head and said, "It's okay. You should take good care of yourself and have a rest. You don't have to worry about the crew."

"I'm sorry, Director Brother, I delayed your filming."

Xiao Yejin said weakly: "It's all my fault that I'm not in good health."

"Good boy, this isn't your fault."

Seeing that Ye Jin was so well-behaved and took the responsibility on himself, Li Yishu comforted him with a few words, chatted with Ye Jin's mother again, and then left the ward.

Gong Li asked, "What should we do now? Xiaoye is admitted to the hospital. I just asked the doctor and he needs to rest for at least ten days to half a month."

"Then shut down first."

Li Yishu was quite open-minded and said, "Anyway, the loss from downtime is not that big. I think Mr. Qiu will understand. Besides, we are heading to the Berlin Film Festival next year, so we still have more than a year to go."

Gong Li shook her head: "It doesn't matter to me. I still don't have any movie on my hands. What about you?"

Li Yishu shook her head and said, "What else can we do? Let's go to the United States first. There aren't many scenes left here. Normally, we can finish them in ten days. Let Xiao Yejin take good care of himself first. It won't be too late to come back for filming during the Water Splashing Festival in March or April."

Gong Li nodded and said, "It's the only way. The Chinese New Year is coming soon. I was thinking of finishing the filming here and then going back to celebrate the first month of the lunar year. Now it looks like everyone can go back to celebrate the Chinese New Year."

"Well, the New Year is the day after tomorrow, and I will arrange for everyone to fly back later."

This year's New Year's Eve came quite early, on the 22nd. Originally, the crew had planned not to go back home to celebrate the New Year, but now that Ye Jin and others have rested for a while, the crew decided to go home to celebrate the New Year.

Let's wait and see the situation in early February. If Ye Jin recovers well, he will come back to shoot again.

It is a bit hard, but this is a rare opportunity, so Lee Yi-su must seize it as this is her first time directing an English-language film entering the North American market.

(End of this chapter)