I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

For example, the first 52 minutes of this film, "Mei Lanfang," the chapter about the young Mei Lanfang and Shisan Yan, are tightly plotted and well-structured, captivating the viewer.

The only flaw I felt was the naive and straightforward nature of the young Mei Lanfang, which felt slightly unreal and made the character seem less fully developed. Even when Li Ming first appeared, his manner of speaking still showed a similar quality. I guess this was a deliberate emphasis by the director, but I didn't think it was handled well.

As a biography, the pursuit of perfection is understandable, but frankly speaking, being completely flawless is not the best approach. Mei Lanfang was not only a master of Peking Opera, but also a flesh-and-blood person. Being too detached from worldly affairs brings a touch of unreality to the story.

The quality, rhythm, and staging of the first 52 minutes are reminiscent of "Farewell My Concubine," which is probably the consensus of most people.

Therefore, if the film is expanded appropriately based on these 52 minutes, and the second half is made into a sequel, there may be at least one film that can vindicate Chen Kaige.

But now it can only be called a small part of a classic.

The entire situation changed dramatically after Li Ming and Chen Hong appeared.

The texture of the first half recedes like the tide, and the otherworldly aura of the Peking Opera star turns into trivialities.

Of course, you can understand it as the first half of the play taking place on stage, and the second half taking place offstage.

Cheng Sheng sometimes wondered if Chen Kaige had drastically altered the second half of the plot, otherwise why would the difference between the beginning and the end be so great?

After all, Chen Kaige has a criminal record.

This is also why Cheng Sheng insisted on not allowing Chen Kai to revise the script.

He was afraid that his script would become like "Mei Lanfang," with the first half being incredibly brilliant and the second half being incredibly terrible.

Cheng Sheng originally planned to write a historical drama script for Chen Kaige, but now he has another idea.

“Sister Hong, I’m planning to write a drama film for Director Chen,” Cheng Sheng said.

"A feature film?" Chen Hong was taken aback when she heard that.

“Yes, it’s a very unique film. Actually, I’ve had this idea for a while. I originally planned to have Liu Meng direct it, but it’s better to have Director Chen direct it now. If it’s well done, winning an award at Cannes shouldn’t be a problem,” Cheng Sheng said.

"To win an award at Cannes?" Chen Hong exclaimed in surprise.

She knew Cheng Sheng wouldn't speak without reason; if he said he could win an award at Cannes, then he definitely could.

But to give such a good film to Chen Kaige, it seems that Cheng Sheng also has feelings for him.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have given Lao Chen such a good film.

Chen Hong felt a sweet warmth in her heart, and looked at Cheng Sheng with a hint of something unusual in her eyes.

“Yes, as long as he rewrites the script, winning an award is absolutely no problem,” Cheng Sheng affirmed.

"Don't worry, I'll be the producer of this movie. I won't let Lao Chen mess things up and waste your hard work," Chen Hong said firmly.

Having finally gotten this opportunity, Chen Hong needed to keep an eye on Chen Kaige and Cheng Sheng to prevent them from causing trouble.

Looking at Chen Hong's expression, Cheng Sheng was filled with emotion. He realized that Chen Kaige hadn't cherished such a good wife.

Since the other party doesn't cherish it, then I'll make the most of it in the future.

"I'll consider writing this script for him as a way of repaying him." Chen Hong asked curiously, "Cheng Sheng, can you tell me about the general plot of the movie?"

It's no wonder Chen Hong was curious about a film that could win an award at Cannes.

"This film mainly tells the story of a 15-year-old girl named Adele who, after breaking up with her handsome boyfriend, unexpectedly meets a beautiful blue-haired girl named Aya on the street one evening. Adele is instantly smitten and becomes even more certain that she is attracted to girls... They get to know each other, fall in love, and resolutely stay together despite external pressures... A few years later, they both find it difficult to resist the monotony of life, have a fierce argument, and sadly part ways..."

The script that Cheng Sheng wrote for Chen Kaige was for the 2013 French film "Blue Is the Warmest Color," directed by Aboudt.

If Chen Kaige wants to win an award, then the film should try to shoot beautiful scenes, like creating a painting or sculpture.

While the incredibly realistic female erotic scenes in "Blue Is the Warmest Color" are indeed impressive, it is actually a passionate and skillfully handled love story.

With the stunning performances of the two leading ladies, the film has opened up a new territory in the lesbian romance genre; however, the bedroom scenes are rich in meaning and profound, touching the audience both emotionally and psychologically.

The film also reshapes the public's understanding of the magic of love at first sight, while amplifying people's fear of the outcome, making everyone realize that love, like lightning, can illuminate the darkness, but it can also burn everything to ashes.

Unlike the Chinese reminiscence of youth, the Japanese portrayal of a cruel youth, or the American flaunting of youth, for French directors, youth is a forbidden fruit stained with romance and passion. It's enough to have tasted it; there's no regret for not being able to keep up or for things changing.

Adele and Emma exchanged pleasantries with smiles, then she left in tears, as if she had died in brilliance and been reborn from the ashes.

Looking back at the film's title, everything ultimately has to submit to life: life drives people to navigate within fixed norms, leaving little room for transgression.

Adele didn't suffer from a terminal illness like in the original story. She simply wore Emma's faded blue, leaving a blue flame in her heart—her life's light, her burning desire. This flame had guided her into the mirage of her destiny, proving that before being swallowed by the sea of ​​people and living a mediocre life, she had strived to live a rich and fulfilling life.
The film won the FIPRESCI Prize and the Palme d'Or at the 66th Cannes Film Festival in 2013.

The film has also been nominated at film festivals in several countries.

"This is a Hollywood version of a female Brokeback Mountain!" Chen Hong said, frowning after hearing the general plot.

"More or less!" Cheng Sheng said.

"Isn't this type of movie a bit too erotic? Would Lao Chen really make a movie like this?" Chen Hong asked worriedly.

Cheng Sheng smirked and said, "Sister Hong, have you forgotten Director Chen's movie 'Kill Me Softly' that he made in Hollywood?"

Indeed, Chen Kaige has also worked in Hollywood and even acted in movies there.

Surprisingly, Chen Kaige had once directed a film with explicit content in Hollywood, and the male lead was a well-known star.

Farewell My Concubine made Chen Kaige famous and attracted the attention of Hollywood.

Young Chen Kaige also wanted to try his luck in Hollywood.

MGM invited Chen Kaige to make this film, "Kill Me Softly".

Because foreign countries have rating systems, the censorship of film production is not as strict.

Chen Kaige also had a blast, as "Kill Me Gently" contains many explicit scenes.

Chen Kaige's performance in this film was extremely sensual and sexy. (End of Chapter)