Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 355 Chapter 366 [Gong Li, a cheongsam lover, inspecting troops on the battlefield in autumn]

"Raise the Red Lantern", a 115-minute film, is the director's cut submitted to Cannes, which is slightly different from what Lee Yi-su later saw on the Internet.

The film intensifies the gangster color and shows that Don is a cruel person. He made Xiao Jinbao from a country girl into the number one singer in Shanghai.

At the end of the movie, A Jiao, the surviving daughter of Cuihua, becomes the next generation's "Little Jinbao".

The movie was shot very well. From Lee Yi-su's personal perspective, the quality of the movie is definitely there. The shots are full of beauty, especially Gong Li's cheongsam style, which is very impressive. A quick glance shows that she changed into at least a dozen cheongsams.

This really made Gong Li, who is obsessed with cheongsam, indulge in her cheongsam addiction in the play.

The story of the movie is also told completely, unlike later films like "Three Guns" and "The Great Wall", which were shot in a fragmented way.

But no matter how complete the story is, compared with the films Zhang Yimou shot in previous years, the story of this film is too thin, which makes it top-heavy. It only tells the story of a gangster boss quelling a rebellion, killing his mistress, and that's it.

It’s not that the story is bad, but for a movie that only tells such a story, it is indeed a bit disappointing.

In Li Yishu's opinion, Zhang Yimou simply uses the aesthetics of the camera to cover up the paleness of the story, and narrates the story solely based on the characters' own mental states and changes in the background environment, which seems too simple.

In Shanghai, even if there are no gang wars, at least there will be some political intrigues.

However, the film is indeed a good one. Li Yishu still admires Zhang Yimou's control over the color of the lens, and the same goes for Brother Chen Kai.

The fifth generation of great directors seemed to tell mediocre stories, but in terms of film colors and shots, they were definitely much better than the sixth and seventh generations.

The movie is over.

"Clap clap-"

There was applause.

When the lights were turned on, everyone at the screening started discussing the film in whispers.

Gong Li stood up and sat next to Li Yishu, and asked with a smile: "How is it? How is the filming of the movie?"

"Very good, Director Zhang took a beautiful picture of you."

Li Yishu smiled and said, "This really satisfies your cheongsam desire. I just counted them and there are more than a dozen cheongsams."

"It's not just me. The crew prepared more than 30 cheongsams for me, but I didn't wear many of them."

"So many? Can you wear them all?"

"Of course I can wear them." Gong Li said with a smile, "I brought all those cheongsams back. If you want to see them, I can wear them for you tonight."

"I'd better wait until I get to Cannes before wearing it. It shouldn't be a problem for this film to win an award."

"Win a prize? Can't win the grand prize?"

"It's hard to say. I'm not a member of the jury."

Seeing Li Yishu like this, Gong Li knew that he was not optimistic about this movie, but she did not ask much. When she saw Zhang Yimou and Han Sanping coming over, she greeted them with a smile, then turned and left, leaving the space to them.

Zhang Yimou asked with a burning gaze, "How is it, Director Li?"

Li Yishu smiled and said, "Congratulations, Director Zhang, for making another great movie. The shots in the movie are very beautiful, with wonderful composition and rich colors. The acting of Gong Li and the two teachers Li are all very impressive."

Hearing this, Zhang Yimou couldn't stop laughing, but Han Sanping heard something behind his words. It was just that the composition and color, as well as the acting skills of several actors, were impressive, but the plot didn't say anything at all...

"Director Li, what about the PR thing?"

"I will contact the company later and ask them to contact you, Director Zhang. The specific procedures will depend on how the crew plans to do PR."

Li Yishu didn't mention the money. Public relations is always free. Not to mention directly contacting the judges on the jury, just asking those film critics to write good reviews would cost a lot of money.

Although the three major European film festivals have been very high-profile in recent years, there are still many internal transactions. After all, the jury is made up of human beings, and as long as they are human, they will have preferences and will be targeted in advance.

When Lee Yi-su won the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival, wasn’t it because she learned the jury list from Xu Suo two months in advance?
There is no way to keep this kind of thing confidential. Once the judges receive the invitation, no matter if they leak it intentionally or unintentionally, someone will always come knocking on their door.

Of course, public relations at the three major European film festivals can only increase the film's chances of winning. It is impossible to be like the Oscars, where anyone can win an award.

The quality of the film and the acting skills of the actors are still very important.

After the film screening.

Li Yishu hosted two crew members and had a big meal at a big restaurant in Wangfujing.

In the evening, Yu Feihong drove Jiang Qinqin back home reluctantly, as they both had classes the next day.

Li Yishu naturally went to Gong Li's house to admire her more than 30 cheongsams.

At the end of April, the weather in Yanjing gradually became warmer.

Nanluoguxiang Siheyuan.

In the east wing room.

Cheongsams were scattered everywhere on the bed and on the floor.

Gong Li was lying on the bed in disarray. Perhaps because of the hot weather, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were blurred with heat, and the lipstick on her mouth had long since smudged, leaving red marks all over her mouth.

Gong Li, who had recovered from the shock, looked at Li Yishu who was drinking water in big gulps and couldn't help asking, "Do you like me wearing cheongsam?"

"Yes, Sister Gong Li, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen wearing a cheongsam!"

Li Yishu added "one of" in her heart!
Among the actresses, Lee Ye-su thinks the three look the most charming in cheongsam.

One is Gong Li, one is Xu Qing, and the other is Fan Bing.

And these three people happen to be chubby.

Cheongsam is still most suitable for plump women.

It’s not that cheongsam doesn’t look good on thin people, but only plump women can support the beauty of cheongsam and make people unable to stop looking at it.

The tight-fitting cheongsam shows off her body curves to the fullest. When she walks, her hips sway and her plump buttocks twist and turn. Who wouldn't be confused?

Gong Li was all smiles when being praised by Lee Yi-su. She herself likes cheongsam very much, not to mention that the cheongsam has won Lee Yi-su awards several times in a row.

Just like the Piero suit that Lee Yi-su is wearing now, cheongsam is also Gong Li's lucky outfit. Every time she wears cheongsam to attend a film festival, she never returns empty-handed.

"Have a drink of water, Sister Gong Li."

Gong Li stood up and took the cup of water from Li Yishu and asked, "When are you going to Cannes?"

"I guess I can only get there the day before the closing ceremony."

Li Yishu sat next to her and said, "Next I have to go to Inner Mongolia to see the horse farm and filming location there. I also have to visit the army, and then I have to visit the actors to see if their training is successful."

There are less than two months left before the start of filming. It is certainly enough time, but it is really not enough time.

This is the first time that Lee Ye-su has directed such a big production. It is not uncommon for her previous films to have high costs. The Sixth Sense had an investment of 20 million US dollars, but the crew was small, unlike the large crew of Red Cliff of Three Kingdoms, which had thousands of people. This is just the crew, not counting the extras and actors. If all are included, the biggest scene would probably have tens of thousands of people on the scene.

There is a saying that goes: If there are less than ten thousand people, they will be everywhere in the mountains and plains; if there are ten thousand people, there will be no end in sight.

Li Yishu had never tried such a large-scale crew before, but fortunately, there were several other directors to help, and most of the extras were soldiers with strong obedience, so they would not be in chaos over a small matter.

If a large crew of tens of thousands of people does not prepare for all possible emergencies in advance, no one knows what unexpected things might happen.

Some small crews can get into chaos, let alone such a large crew.

"It doesn't matter, just focus on your work first."

Gong Li came behind Li Yishu, rubbed his shoulders, and said, "If you really don't have time, then don't go to Cannes."

She is an actor herself and has been on the crew for many years. She is well aware of the enormous pressure the director faces, not to mention that this film requires such a huge investment and involves tens of thousands of extras.

Even if there are other directors cooperating, Li Yishu is the chief director and has the greatest reputation in the current domestic director industry. If anything goes wrong, others will only criticize him, Li Yishu, for his responsibility.

"I still have to go." Li Yishu smiled and held Gong Li's hand, saying, "I've already promised Sister Gong Li, and I never break my promise."

In fact, it was not just for Gong Li, but mainly for "Chicago".

During the Cannes Film Festival in mid-May, the North American screening of "Chicago" was concluded. Going to Cannes was a good opportunity to promote it and also advertise his other two films, "Fireworks" and "Black Coal, Thin Ice".

Lee Ye-su herself has a great influence in the three major European film festivals.

Cannes is a globally renowned film festival that attracts the attention of most countries.
Promoting a movie here can not only save a lot of advertising costs, but also increase the popularity of the movie.

Lay a good foundation for future participation in film festivals and screenings.

time flies.

In the blink of an eye it was May.

After Li Yishu came back from Inner Mongolia, he went to the troops in Jiangsu and Zhejiang again.

Director Shen Haofang is having a lot of fun training here.

With the arrival of Li Yishu, he waved his hand and decided to have a practical operation.

early morning.

The sky is still bright.

Someone blew the whistle inside the temporary training base.

The three thousand soldiers participating in the training got up as soon as possible, folded their quilts, and rushed to the canteen to have breakfast one after another.

Li Yishu also got up early and went to the cafeteria to eat with Shen Haofang and several military representatives.

Thousands of people eat at the same time in the huge cafeteria.

The meals are arranged by the army, but the expenses are definitely paid by the crew.

This time, the crew spent a lot of money just to invite these 3,000 soldiers for training. It’s not about paying them salaries. This filming mission is political in nature. The August 1st Film Studio has already negotiated with the troops here.

They didn't get paid, but they certainly couldn't lack for the corresponding benefits. The 3,000 soldiers who came for training were not just the ensemble performers who came here for formality.

These are meant to be shot at close range.

It strives to show the cruelty of fighting on the battlefield, and will also restore several ancient formations.

Fifteen minutes of meal time.

Li Yishu also ate and drank with big mouthfuls. Fortunately, he was young and ate and drank quickly. But Shen Haofang was not so good. He was old now and it was easy for him to feel full if he ate too fast. Seeing that the time was almost up, he just put two steamed buns in his arms.

Then the group came directly to a huge parade ground.

There are rows of tents on the right, filled with armor.

Because everything had been marked in advance, everyone went to their respective tents and took out their own set of armor.

Half an hour later, with the help of each other, the three thousand people had put on armor, holding weapons, and came out of the tents one after another.

Li Yishu noticed a man holding two flags, one red and one black, coming up.

He asked, "Director Shen, what is that?"

"That's the flag for commanding the battle."

Shen Haofang smiled and said, "This was common in ancient warfare. Considering that it would be inconvenient to use a loud speaker to make announcements during filming, I had people teach them how to read the military flags to command actions, such as advance, retreat, defend, etc."

Hearing this, Li Yishu became more interested and chatted with Shen Haofang and several military representatives. About seven or eight minutes later, three thousand ancient soldiers dressed in ancient clothes, with their heads held high and sharp blades in their hands, were divided into six camps in an orderly manner with square formations of 500 people each.

At eight o'clock in the morning, the sun slowly rose, and the light shone on the six square formations. The soldiers with resolute faces showed a hint of murderous intent!
The man holding the military flag had two flags flying up and down.

"kill!"

Three thousand men thrust their spears forward and shouted, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Bang, Bang, Bang...

Three thousand men, in six square formations, marched in unison, and it seemed as if even the ground began to tremble.

The man waved the military flag again.

"end!"

The six square formations were immediately ordered to stop and retract their spears.

Li Yishu has seen military parades. If all the soldiers were wearing liberation uniforms, there would be nothing to say, as the Chinese Army is invincible. However, this full set of armor and the desolate parade ground gave people a sense of traveling through time and space and returning to ancient times.

Autumn military training on the battlefield!
"How is it, Director Li?"

The army officer smiled and said, "My soldiers are pretty good, aren't they?"

"It's more than good, Army officer, it's really a command that is obeyed!"

Li Yishu exclaimed: "With the support of our people's soldiers, I have more confidence in my film. I believe that the appearance of these soldiers alone can make our film the most classic of the world's epic war blockbusters!"

Li Yishu is not exaggerating. In today's world where special effects are not yet well developed, if 30,000 such soldiers appeared, the shock they would bring would be absolutely unprecedented!
"Ha ha!"

The army officer laughed and said, "We, the rough guys, don't know how to make a movie, but our soldiers are the best in the world. As long as Director Li has a need and gives them more training, I believe they can accomplish it."

"It's already pretty good. Filming is still fake after all."

Li Yishu smiled. He didn't dare to hope to perform a war scene like "The Decisive Battle", with more than 100,000 extras and a large number of guns and ammunition left over from before the founding of the People's Republic of China, which was no less than a real war scene.

(End of this chapter)