Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 101: Soft Bones Bear a Heavy Weight

In the early morning of March 2, the temperature in Jinling was almost as cold as in the capital. A thin mist covered the streets, giving off a damp and chilly feeling.

Wu Chen, wrapped in a coat and carrying a gift bag, came out of the airport and headed straight for Xiaohuowa Lane.

After Zhang Jiqing retired last year, he lived in this old alley. His small two-bedroom apartment was plain and simple. At the entrance of the alley, several old ladies were sitting on bamboo chairs chatting about family matters. When they saw Wu Chen, they muttered in a low voice:
"Why is this young man carrying so many things?"

Wu Chen smiled, said nothing, and walked briskly to find Zhang Jiqing's house number.

He thought the other party would let him meet at the Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu Performing Arts Group, but he didn't expect it to be at his home.

The door creaked, and Zhang Jiqing opened it. He was wearing a gray apron, his hair was gray, and he said with a smile:

"Wu Chen? You look just like the photo in the report. Come in!"

Wu Chen walked in and placed the gift bag on the table. "Teacher Zhang, I brought you some tea and snacks."

Zhang Jiqing glanced at it and waved his hand, saying, "It doesn't matter whether I bring it or not. As long as I can help you and promote Kunqu culture, that's all."

She paused and said with a smile, "After I retired last year, I devoted myself to the inheritance and teaching of Kunqu Opera.

Mr. Pai Hsien-yung created a youth version of "The Peony Pavilion". I was invited to be the artistic director of this play and personally teach the new generation of Kunqu opera actors to recreate the classic "The Peony Pavilion".

To be honest, I was very excited, but I didn't expect there would be a big surprise. When I learned that you wanted to make a movie about Kunqu Opera, I was so happy.

Originally, I was thinking of taking you to the Kunqu Opera Theater, but during the Chinese New Year, Lao Cai called and said that your script and story were good, and asked me to take a good look at it.

He doesn't understand movies, he only knows Kunqu Opera, and he's afraid he'll lead you astray.

I thought, I'd better not go to the Kunqu Opera Theater for now. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future if you want to watch it."

Wu Chen smiled and nodded, and immediately responded:

“It’s our job as directors to take the best of others, use it for our own benefit, and let the world see it.

Teacher Zhang, just say whatever you want, I know what you are doing."

Zhang Jiqing was happy: "Okay, let's sit down and talk."

She turned around, got a teapot, boiled some water, and made a cup of tea, handing it to Wu Chen. "Can I see the story? Old Cai said he was disappointed not to see the whole story."

"The script is indeed not finished, but it has been improved a bit. I'll show it to you and then talk to you about it."

Wu Chen took out the script of "Black Peony" from the file, and only completed about one-third of it.

But the previous story was still made up.

"[Prologue] - The dream begins." Zhang Jiqing put on his reading glasses and murmured, "What's the story?"

Wu Chen told the whole story.

After listening to it, Zhang Jiqing carefully flipped through the script. He only turned to the third part that Wu Chen had written, then slowly closed it and smiled:
"A play within a play. I see your script has a Western narrative structure. It's quite ambitious."

Zhang Jiqing twisted the teacup lid and said casually:
"Wu Chen, the title of your script is quite fresh - 'Black Peony'.

Peonies are always colorful, why do they have to be dyed black?

Wu Chen looked calm and said slowly:

"In my original conception, 'black' refers to the self-alienation in the pursuit of artistic perfection. I also had a script called 'Black Swan'. In my opinion, the 'blackening' of the protagonists in both scripts is essentially the same.

The extreme sexuality of art forces the body to become a sacrifice!"

Wu Chen raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Jiqing, his gaze clear and firm:
“The black peony is not without light.

Black is deep, oppressive, and another kind of beauty that has never been seen by the world.

Just like Kunqu Opera, its beauty lies not in gaudy display but in the accumulation of time and effort. The black peony symbolizes the forgotten, the neglected, and even the misunderstood.

Zhang Jiqing listened quietly, his fingers slowly fiddling with the teacup lid, his eyes filled with deep thought, and he nodded slightly:

"So, Wu Chen, you have to remember your original intention in writing this script, your original intention in writing the word 'black'.

You need to make this 'darkness' permeate the entire play, from the characters, to the atmosphere, to the emotions, to the artistic conception of Kunqu Opera, and not let our opinions lead you astray during the writing process."

She paused and looked at Wu Chen seriously, "Your story is very good, but if one day you suddenly realize that you have been influenced by us and have deviated from your original intention, remember to turn back." Wu Chen's heart was shocked, and he nodded slowly, engraving these words deeply in his heart.

Zhang Jiqing's eyes fell on the script on the table. He sighed softly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Kunqu Opera emphasizes 'life is like a play, and a play is like life.'"

She picked up the teacup, took a sip, and continued:
“Some people, living on the stage, surpass everything in reality;
Some people live outside the play, but throughout their entire lives, they are unable to fully express themselves. "

Wu Chen listened quietly. He knew that these were words that could only be spoken by someone who had immersed himself in Kunqu Opera for a lifetime.

"Do you know what Du Liniang's 'softness' means?" Zhang Jiqing suddenly asked, his eyes as deep as autumn water.

Wu Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Is it gentle, lingering, or is it her obsession with chasing love in her dreams?"

"Wrong." Zhang Jiqing shook his head slightly, put down the teacup, tapped the table with his fingertips, and a gleam of unquestionable light flashed in his eyes.

"Du Liniang's 'softness' is 'soft bones that can bear a thousand pounds'."

She leaned forward slightly, her voice low but resonant: "The 'softness' of Kunqu Opera is like a broken bone, yet it still uses flesh and skin to support the word 'beauty'."

"Remember, the 'softness' of Kunqu Opera does not mean being weak and boneless, nor does it mean simply being tender and gentle.

It is the toughness that has been tempered through countless hammerings, the bones that appear to be gentle and hesitant, but can withstand a thousand pounds of force. Of course, what it ultimately bears depends on what you want to give it.

Wu Chen was stunned, as if his heart had been hit hard.

He had never thought of the "softness" of Kunqu Opera in this way.

This is the artistic conception of Kunqu Opera.

Zhang Jiqing looked at him with a meaningful smile on his face. "I heard you say that your original script used ballet, right?"

"Yeah!" Wu Chen nodded slightly.

"Although Kunqu opera and ballet are different in form, the core themes of The Peony Pavilion - 'extreme passion and nature', life and death for love - are shared with the 'romanticism' spirit in Western literature and drama.

I have performed The Peony Pavilion abroad for many years."

At this point, Zhang Jiqing looked up at Wu Chen and suddenly smiled, "Do you know what people call The Peony Pavilion abroad?"

Wu Chen was stunned for a moment and frowned slightly: "The Peony Pavilion?"

"Yes," Zhang Jiqing nodded. "They see it as the Romeo and Juliet of the East. But you know, when people abroad watch The Peony Pavilion, they always feel that its performance is similar to ballet, and they think both emphasize the ultimate in beauty."

She paused and tapped the table with her finger: “However, in essence, their beauty is fundamentally different.

Ballet is sculptural, a balance of force and line, while the beauty of Kunqu Opera is flowing, a continuous breath, a rhythm, and it is in the bones.

So since you want your story to be understood by both the East and the West, The Peony Pavilion is indeed a good approach;

Because they know this story is the Oriental version of Romeo and Juliet, it will save you a lot of effort, but this alone is not enough. You have to build a bridge between the East and the West and not lose the balance."

Wu Chen nodded frequently and filled up his notes.

If Cai Zhengren told Wu Chen the soul of "The Peony Pavilion", then Zhang Jiqing helped Wu Chen clear the roots of "The Black Peony".

The more Wu Chen learned about Kunqu Opera and "The Peony Pavilion" these days, the more branches and leaves grew from the roots, some of which were almost hiding the roots.

At noon, Wu Chen had a simple meal here.

On an early spring afternoon, sunlight slanted through the carved wooden windows, scattering like golden fragments on the blue brick floor. Zhang Jiqing pulled out a yellowed copy of The Peony Pavilion and gave Wu Chen a few pages of notes on body movements and singing:
"Here is my detailed explanation of The Peony Pavilion. If you have any questions while writing the script, you can take a look at it. It should be helpful."

Wu Chen's eyes lit up:
"Thank you, Teacher Zhang! This is exactly what I need.

Your guidance is more effective than a month of hard work on my own."

Zhang Jiqing waved his hands and whispered, "Don't flatter me. If you can really do a good job in this play, I will be satisfied."

Seeing that Wu Chen seemed to be about to leave, Zhang Jiqing was afraid that Wu Chen had forgotten something, so he quickly asked:
"Wu Chen, it's not easy to come to Jinling. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Wu Chen suddenly thought of something, turned around and paused, then said in a serious tone:
"Teacher Zhang, I'd like to invite you to come out of retirement!"

(End of this chapter)