Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 192, Section 191: The Art of Disguise and Painted Skin in the Republican Era, Open-Air Cinema, Disguise in Shanghai

To boost sales of Taishan brand Liberty cigarettes, new advertisements were immediately produced and launched.

These advertisements are of high quality, innovative, eye-catching, and particularly memorable.

Three different styles of advertising were promoted in newspapers, radio broadcasts, and outdoor advertisements.

The newspaper advertised a full-page ad on the first page of the application form. A single page could be cut out and pasted on a window to create a decorative picture.

Radio broadcasts target the middle class and above. Every night when these people get home, they turn on their radios and hear the commercials broadcast by the announcers.

Outdoor advertising needs to be adjusted according to different situations. Some are made into landscape signs, with a large sign in a traffic hub where people come and go in the city; others are hung on the walls of high-rise buildings, or smaller 3-meter-long side signs, etc.

As for movies, the timing was slightly delayed because the selection of film sources was needed for pre-show advertising.

Sun Debiao brought back three popular movies from the Shanghai Bund Film Company.

These are "The Torrent," "The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple," and "King Kong."

When choosing one of the three films, Fang Wen felt that his aesthetic sense might not be in line with the times, so he organized three nighttime screenings.

The location was chosen on a flat area outside the airport, behind Airport Street. It was land that a businessman had bought to build houses for sale, but it was temporarily rented out for the screening.

As night falls, the open space behind the airport street becomes bustling with activity.

Two wooden stakes were erected, and a white screen for the projection was hung between them.

While the film company staff were setting up the equipment, audience members gradually arrived.

There were employees from Taishan Airlines, employees from China Airlines, and residents and business owners from the surrounding area.

When they came, they all brought their own small stools or a newspaper.

A large number of moviegoers crowded the open space, chatting with acquaintances, creating a noisy and chaotic atmosphere.

Fang Wen and his wife Kuang Mingzhu also came over, along with Chuncao, Qiuju, and the cook Wu Ma.

If this situation isn't controlled, we won't be able to watch the movie tonight.

He gestured to Sun Debiao.

Sun Debiao stood on the rock with a megaphone in hand and shouted, "Quiet down!"

Unable to win over the public, the noise persists.

He shouted again, "If you talk again, we won't show the movie tonight."

Suddenly, silence fell.

Sun Debiao then had a chance to speak: "This movie will be shown for three consecutive days, one showing each night, all free of charge. But before the screenings, I'd like to mention a few points to note. 1. During the movie screenings, no bright lights or noises should be made that might disturb the audience. 2. After the three days of screenings, please choose the movie you think is the best. Can everyone do that?"

A chorus of responses followed. "We can do it." "No problem. Let's show it."

"Alright," Sun Debiao waved for the film company projectionist to begin, then jumped off the large rock.

For three consecutive nights, the place was packed with people.

"The Torrent" is a rare film with a realistic theme set in Shanghai.

The content describes the events that occurred during the 31-year-old Yangtze River flood, when a certain area near Hankou was on the verge of being submerged.

Primary school teacher Liu Tiesheng leads villagers in a valiant rescue effort; however, Fu Bairen, the richest man in the area, impersonates a disaster relief agent, swindles a large amount of donations, and flees to Hankou. The story unfolds with a complex web of grudges, escalating conflicts, and tragic twists and turns.

Because of its critique of reality, the film evoked strong emotions in many viewers. Even with Sun Debiao's prior warnings, some couldn't help but swear and vent their feelings during the screening.

The film, "The Torrent," touched people's hearts and received a good response, but it was too depressing and not everyone liked to watch it.

The response from King Kong on the second day was even more enthusiastic.

King Kong was a fantasy film released in the United States in April of this year (1933). The film tape was transported by ocean freighter. It was somewhat related to Fang Wen. The freighter that transported the film was the same freighter that Fang Wen used to transport the bullet production line. After unloading the cargo in Rangoon, it sailed to Shanghai.

The film attracted people from all walks of life in Shanghai as soon as it was released.

The main attraction is that enormous gorilla. It's so big that it can climb onto a skyscraper and smash an airplane with a single slap.

For moviegoers, the magic of these technologies is simply amazing.

Many viewers even genuinely believed that such large gorillas really existed in the world.

The third day's screening featured a film that had been a hit for four years, "The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple".

This film, which was completed and released 28 years ago, is a martial arts film and also China's first fantasy film.

The reason it has been popular for four years is because it has special effects that are no less impressive than King Kong, and it also incorporates Chinese cultural elements.

In addition, it is also a way for people to vent their frustrations with reality.

In the fantastical world of martial arts films, one can freely express one's grievances and enjoy the thrill of revenge.

Fang Wen, however, saw much more.

This should be the first movie to use wire work (wire stunts).

There are also methods that blend real people with cartoon characters to depict "sword battles," as well as the enlargement and shrinking of characters used in the King Kong movies, and even the ability to create clones.

He realized that the person who made this film was an absolute talent, no less skilled than the special effects in Hollywood films of the same period, and couldn't help but want to meet him.

After three days of screenings, all viewers voted.

Sun Debiao handed the voting results to Fang Wen for review.

As expected, the final result was the burning of the Red Lotus Temple, which received the most votes.

Fang Wen beckoned Sun Debiao over: "Tomorrow, the two of us will go to the city and talk to the Star Film Company that filmed the burning of the Red Lotus Temple."

Sun Debiao said with difficulty, "No, it won't work. If the Japanese find out you've entered the city, you'll be in danger."

"I have a plan. You go back first, and we'll set off together tomorrow."

"General Manager, do you really have a solution?" Sun Debiao was still worried.

"Yes, don't worry."

After Sun Debiao left, Fang Wen dialed a number that belonged to the five brothers who were stealing from the gate.

He registered his identity directly.

"I am Fang Wen. Last time you mentioned a method to change one's appearance. Could you teach me?"

"If the general manager wants to learn, of course, no problem. When?"

"Can you learn it in just one day?"

"It's definitely possible, but it would be better to have a helper, otherwise you won't be able to do it well by yourself."

"Then I'll trouble you to come over today and teach me."

"Okay, I'll tell them and come over as soon as I'm ready to unload some things."

After hanging up the phone, Fang Wen got up and walked to the next room.

The office next door, belonging to the deputy general manager, is that of his wife, Kuang Mingzhu, who helps her husband handle the company's daily operations.

Fang Wen pushed open the door and walked to his wife, who was looking at documents. "We're going home soon; I have things to do."

Kuang Mingzhu blushed. "What are you doing? It's broad daylight, that's not appropriate."

Fang Wen smiled and said, "The disguise thing we talked about last time, the thieving group has agreed. They said it would be better if two people did it. They'll be here soon, and we'll go home and wait."

Kuang Mingzhu covered her face, embarrassed by her wild thoughts, then got up and went downstairs with her husband.

An hour later, the five thieves arrived in their car.

Now that they are wealthy, besides inheriting their masters' skills, they have long since given up their shady dealings and are enjoying life.

The five people, dressed in long robes of fine silk and satin, got out of the car, and Fang Wen greeted them with a smile as they entered the house.

Inside the house, they laid the items out on the table.

And then introduced them one by one.

"These are the things needed for disguise: a human skin mask, skin-painting solution and powder, and various brushes."

Human skin mask, painted skin!
Fang Wen was surprised.

Kuang Mingzhu was terrified and hid behind her husband.

The person who spoke was criticized by the others and then explained to Fang Wen.

"He's just concerned with saving face, to put it more grandly. That human skin mask only resembles human skin; real human skin can't be preserved, so how can it be made into a mask? Painted skin isn't like the kind in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. Our human skin masks are formless; we need to create different faces according to different needs."

After this explanation, Kuang Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief but still dared not look.

Fang Wen comforted his wife, saying, "Don't be afraid. Everyone says it's not human skin. Let me take a look first."

He picked up the human skin mask to examine it.

It has a gel-like texture and is elastic, feeling similar to a futuristic silicone mask.

It must be a secret method of stealing doors, but it's definitely not skin tissue, since organic matter can't maintain its original form for long in the air. He turned around and said, "Mingzhu, don't worry, it's not human skin."

His confirmation finally put Kuang Mingzhu at ease, and she boldly stepped forward.

She touched it and confirmed it; she had no more worries.

Next, the person who stole the door will teach them how to disguise themselves.

To disguise oneself, one needs a human skin that fits one's general appearance. The thief tried several different skins before settling on one.

Then they carefully put it on Fang Wen's face and demonstrated how to perform facial reconstruction.

Everyone's face shape is different, and if you want to change your face shape, you need to get fillers.

Different fillers will produce different effects, such as making a face look fat, thin, long, round, or square.

This is the first step in the art of disguise: creating the facial contours.

Next up is Painted Skin.

Painted skin is a process of modifying a human skin mask that has no facial features.

include:

Skin tone: fair, yellowish, dark, etc.

Eyebrow shapes: straight eyebrows, arched eyebrows, arched eyebrows, willow leaf eyebrows, etc.

Those with beards will have various beard styles: full beard, mustache, short beard, goatee, etc.

There are also false moles, scars, and wrinkles.

These all fall under the category of painted skin.

Fang Wen found it complicated, but Kuang Mingzhu liked it very much and mastered it quickly.

Under guidance, Kuang Mingzhu began her first disguise operation.

She first gently wiped away any remaining sweat or oil from Fang Wen's face, and then put on the mask.

After a small amount of filler was applied to the left and right cheeks, the face shape became chubby.

Then, Kuang Mingzhu began the process of applying makeup to her face, attaching eyebrows, a beard, wrinkles, and scars, and then putting on a wig.

For the first attempt, I used as many tools as possible, and the resulting disguise effect was quite unique.

"Honey, you can open your eyes now," Kuang Mingzhu said with a smile.

Fang Wen opened his eyes and looked at himself in the mirror after extensive disguise.

He had a bronze face, a thick beard, and straight, thick eyebrows. He was on the heavier side and had a centipede-like scar on his right cheek.

"That face looks fierce, like a villain," Fang Wen commented.

Kuang Mingzhu finally couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I made it based on the appearance of a guard I saw when I was a child. I was most afraid of him back then, and I would cry whenever I saw him."

It seems that Kuang Mingzhu is very talented in the art of disguise, and Fang Wen feels that he can do it too.

He learned from the thief for a while, then switched to Kuang Mingzhu, and after some practice, they produced the finished product.

He had a sallow complexion, was rather thin, had light and pale eyebrows, and a mole on his chin.

She looks like a typical haggard housewife.

Women all love beauty, and after looking at her own face, Kuang Mingzhu sulked and remained silent.

Having mastered the art of disguise, the thief was met with a minor tantrum from his wife. Such domestic matters were not for outsiders to witness, so the thief quickly took his leave.

After everyone left, Fang Wen coaxed Kuang Mingzhu a little, and she immediately returned to normal.

The two playfully practiced their disguises on each other.

The next day, Sun Debiao arrived at the general manager's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

After pushing open the door, Sun Debiao saw the general manager sitting in a chair with his back to him.

"General Manager, what's wrong?"

During his questioning, Fang Wen turned around.

But he no longer looked like him; he had become a middle-aged man with a very ordinary appearance.

"Who, who are you?" Sun Debiao immediately became nervous.

"It's me. Can't you recognize my voice?"

The voice was very familiar. Sun Debiao looked at Fang Wen, who was in disguise, with surprise, looking left and right.

"Wow! This looks like a face transplant. I can't recognize him at all."

"It's similar to face-changing; I learned the art of disguise from thieves," Fang Wen replied.

As he spoke, he stood up, put on his hat, and said, "Let's go, the Japanese probably won't recognize me like this."

"Absolutely unrecognizable, this disguise is amazing!" Sun Debiao was no longer worried.

The two left the Taishan Airlines headquarters and entered a courtyard. After a while, a bulletproof armored car specially modified by Fang Wen drove away.

Wearing a human skin mask, Fang Wen felt safe for the first time after driving into the city.

No more worrying about being recognized; finally, I can freely enter and leave Shanghai.

He was already thinking about what kind of person he would be when he went to the city next time.

In a completely relaxed state, the car drove through the streets of Shanghai.

From the old town to the French Concession, and then further up to the International Settlement.

The Star Film Company, which produced the film "The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple," was located on Guizhou Road in the International Settlement.

The car stopped at the intersection of Guizhou Road, and Fang Wen waved to the Sikh police officer wearing a red headscarf.

A Sikh police officer standing guard at the intersection came over, and Fang Wen communicated with him in English.

"I'll park my car here, here's some money for you to watch it for me."

The Sikh police officer shook his head: "No silver dollars."

Fang Wen took out his wallet and pulled out a pound sterling: "Is this okay?"

The Sikh police officer immediately beamed, nodded, accepted the money, and then stood guard next to the car.

Sun Debiao exclaimed in surprise, "General Manager, you can do it like this? I've never seen anything like it before."

Fang Wen laughed and said, "It's like this in British India. I figured it would be similar here, so I tried it, and it actually worked."

The two got out of the car chatting and laughing, and headed to the office of Star Film Company.

(Red-hooded Indian Sikh police officers on guard duty)

(This picture shows the area around the former Hongkou vegetable market, near Emei Road and not far north of Guizhou Road during the Republic of China period.)
Fang Wen and Sun Debiao arrived at Star Film Company.

It's very busy here, with actors and crew members coming and going.

Some people were putting on makeup, some were going to the storeroom to get props, some were reciting their lines aloud, and some were rehearsing their lines on the spot.

Sun Debiao had been here beforehand and led Fang Wen straight upstairs, knocking on the door of the manager's office at Star Company.

After the door opened, the man saw Sun Debiao with a big smile and said, "Manager Sun, we can do the pre-movie advertising. Have you made up your mind yet?"

This tone reveals that Star Film Company values ​​this extra advertising revenue highly.

Sun Debiao explained, "This is Manager Liu from Taishan Airlines, who is specifically in charge of advertising. He came here specifically to discuss advertising matters."

"That's great, please come in." The manager of Star Company invited Fang Wen and Sun Debiao into the house.

To demonstrate his company's strength, he displayed a series of stills from films produced since the founding of Star Film Company.

His early works include "The Story of Throwing Fruit", "Zhang Xinsheng", "The Orphan Saves His Ancestor", and "Orchid in the Empty Valley".

Later, "The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple" became a hit, and nine more episodes of "The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple" were subsequently filmed.

In the past two years, I have shifted my focus to sound films, such as "The Singing Girl Red Peony" and "Old Beijing".

They also make anti-Japanese war films; two years ago, during the September 18 Incident, they made "Compatriots, Wake Up!"

Also, the film "Torrent," which reflects reality and was screened this year, was produced by their company.

The company even established a cartoon division this year, preparing to produce animated films.

Having learned all this, Fang Wen was very satisfied.

He asked directly:
"Besides discussing the filming of the advertisement, I have another matter to discuss with you. Does your company want to expand overseas?"

(End of this chapter)