Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 73 [Hidden in the dust, the northwest is full of stories] Please read
After leaving Gong Li, Li Yishu also went to find Zhang Yimou.

Hearing the suggestion to let Gong Li take a good rest for a few days, Lao Mouzi seemed a little hesitant, but still nodded and said: "Director Li, you don't need to worry about this. I have readjusted the shooting plan and extended the shooting period by about ten days. These few days are just right for Gong Li to have a good rest."

He actually knew that it would be difficult to shoot a good photo of Gong Li in her current condition, and the weather was getting colder and colder, and people in the city said that there would be another heavy snowfall soon.

It is simply not possible to delay the filming. In this case, there is not much point in asking Gong Li to continue.

"Director Zhang, it's not that I want to disturb your crew's filming, but I think there's still plenty of time for the Venice Film Festival, so there's no need to rush."

Seeing that Zhang Yimou was easy to talk to, Li Yishu's expression eased a lot.

He actually still respects Zhang Yimou very much. No matter how his later movies turn out, the fact that the opening ceremony of the 08 Olympic Games was so successful and wonderful is enough to engender respect for him. So what he said just now was a bit impolite, so naturally he has to say something softer now.

"It's okay, Director Zhang. I understand."

Zhang Yimou smiled, and suddenly remembered something, and asked, "I heard from Gong Li that you have already let Zhao Fei be the director of photography for Farewell My Concubine?"

Li Yishu nodded and said, "Yes, Director Zhao is one of the best in China. Director Zhang had previously worked with him on The Red Lantern, and the colors were very beautiful, which was somewhat similar to the visuals I wanted, so I chose him."

"Yes, Zhao Fei is very good."

Zhang Yimou hesitated and said, "Director Li, I'm sorry about Gu Changwei. I wanted to tell you in person. And Gu Changwei didn't mean it. He had an agreement with Brother Chen Kai before. No one expected that Brother Chen Kai would suddenly return to China and have a new production plan."

He has a pretty good relationship with Gu Changwei. They are both from Xi'an Film Studio and they have worked together in the past few years. They also have a good personal relationship. Naturally, he doesn't want Li Yishu to have any problems with Gu Changwei because of this incident.

"Haha, Director Zhang is too polite. This matter has nothing to do with you."

Li Yishu smiled cheerfully: "Besides, I will not blame Director Gu for this matter. Everything should be based on first come first served. Since Director Chen Kai made the agreement with him first, I naturally have no objection."

At this point, he said in a slightly yin-yang tone, "Speaking of which, I have to thank Director Gu. If he hadn't declined, I would have missed this opportunity to work with Director Zhao Fei. A few days ago in Yanjing, I discussed the filming plan for Farewell My Concubine with him. I was very satisfied with Director Zhao's performance."

Zhang Yimou was slightly startled, then smiled bitterly: "Yes, as long as Director Li is satisfied."

Forget it, let’s not be the peacemaker.

Three or four days passed.

On this day, Gong Li had just recovered from a serious illness. She was in much better spirits and had the strength to speak again. Li Yishu felt relieved and prepared to return to her hometown in Sichuan to celebrate the New Year. When Zhang Yimou learned about this, he asked someone to prepare some wine and food so that he could personally see Li Yishu off.

The dinner table.

Hearing what Li Yishu said, Zhang Yimou was surprised and asked, "Director Li also wants to shoot a drama in the Northwest?"

Gong Li also looked at him in surprise.

"Yeah, I do have this idea, but I don't think I'll do it."

Li Yishu smiled and said, "I just walked around these few days and went to see what the nearby northwest rural areas are like. It really gave me a lot of insights. This place is full of stories!"

In the past few days, under the guidance of the crew members, Li Yishu not only visited the crew, but also went to see the characteristic cave dwellings here, as well as the surrounding gray rural landscape, which reminded him of "Hidden in the Dust".

This movie was shot in Gansu, but the topography of Shaanxi is very similar to that place, both of which are typical Northwest topography. So when Li Yishu came to the rural area near the crew, she found that this place was very similar to the movie.

And because of the wind and sand, most women also like to wrap a scarf on their heads.

Many elderly people are very similar to the fourth brother Ma Youtie in the play.

This made him wonder if he could take a picture too.
"Into the Dust" is a very good film, otherwise it would not have caused such widespread discussion at the time. Especially in this era, if it were filmed and submitted to the Berlin Film Festival, the probability of winning an award would be very high.

"Director Li is right. Shaanxi... no, the entire Northwest is full of stories."

Zhang Yimou agrees with what Li Yishu said. Almost all of his works are based on the theme of Northwest China. In addition to the fact that he works in the Xi'an Film Studio, the most important reason is that he is from the Northwest and has deep feelings for this land. He also knows it inside out.

This is also the reason why "Red Sorghum", "Ju Dou" and the current "Qiu Ju's Lawsuit" were able to be filmed so well. During the directing process, Zhang Yimou invested his sincere feelings for this land.

Seeing that Li Yishu was not joking, Gong Li said, "Yishu, if you really want to shoot, you can ask Director Zhang to help you contact the Xi'an Film Studio."

"Yes, Director Li, the Xi'an Film Studio will definitely be very happy if you come to shoot." Zhang Yimou nodded repeatedly. In the past two years, as Beijing Film Studio poached many directors from the Xi'an Film Studio, the Xi'an Film Studio has not had an easy time.

It was not as glorious as it was in the late 1980s. When Stephen Chow's "A Chinese Odyssey" and Zhang Yimou went to Yanjing, the Xi'an Film Studio was completely killed with one blow.

After that, the Xi'an Film Studio began to decline. Until the millennium, after it was changed to Western Film Group, it basically did not produce any outstanding films.

"Let's talk about it later. We don't have to shoot it until we finish all the projects on hand."

Li Yishu shook his head. He just had the idea and might not shoot it.

The meal took an hour.

Li Yishu also left. She made an appointment with Gong Li that after she finished filming "Autumn Chrysanthemum", she would return to Yanjing to take care of her skin.

She spent quite a bit of time here, and the strong ultraviolet rays in the northwest made Gong Li look a dozen years older, very different from Juxian, the top girl in the brothel in "Farewell My Concubine".

Fortunately, she doesn't have many scenes, so she can take care of her skin and condition first, and it won't be too late to concentrate on filming later.

Li Yishu returned to Sichuan on January 1th, and there were only 25 days left until the Chinese New Year. Fortunately, he returned by plane instead of taking the crowded train.

Otherwise, I will have to come back two days later.

The next morning after returning home.

Li Yishu wanted to have a good sleep, but his father Li Jian took him to Emei Film Studio to meet the studio leaders.

When the leaders met Li Yishu, they naturally praised him a lot in person. Deputy Director Chen's mouth was almost crooked with smile. It was he who helped Li Yishu in the beginning, and now Li Yishu has achieved remarkable results. Although he is not an employee of the factory, he bought the Emei Factory logo!

It can also be considered a film produced by Emei Studio to the outside world.

In terms of appreciation based on merit, Li Jian has a share, and so do other members of the crew. Naturally, as the nominal "producer", he also has a share!
　Please read it, collect it, and vote for me!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)