Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 111 The cattle and horses that come to the door, zombies attack!
At 7 p.m., Cao Zhong finished his work.
I saw the new girl Wang Hongwei introduced at the coffee shop on the Beijing Film Academy campus; my lips twitched.

Previously, the Olympic bid made him a beast of burden when filming "Nanjing Photo Studio".
Now that Lu Yang has also appeared before him, Cao Zhong even wonders if there is some kind of divine intervention at play.

"Director Cao, I've taken the liberty of contacting Professor Wang Hongwei to request a meeting with you. I hope you won't take offense."

At this time, Lu Yang's appearance was no different from that of later generations, except that his hair was not yet white and he was still thin.

His gaze toward Cao Zhong held respect and admiration, but lacked the aloofness and fear that the others in Tianzhuangzhuang looked at.

Cao Zhong knew that Lu Yang's mentor was Tian Zhuangzhuang.

"Is there something you need from me?" Cao Zhong asked directly.

"I've come to you because I'm asking for an opportunity," Lu Yang said bluntly.

“I graduated with a master’s degree this year,” he said. “After graduation, I stayed at the school and have been working in the Beijing Film Academy’s office for more than two months now.”

He looked at Cao Zhong and said sincerely.
"I've been thinking about making movies since middle school. It's something I really love and want to do."

At the time, I didn't have the ability to decide what path my life should take, so I just went with the flow and chose a major.

I was admitted to the Information Management and Information Systems program at Beijing Institute of Technology.

But I still really love movies. After my senior year internship, I couldn't resist my own desire, so I took the postgraduate entrance exam and came to Beijing Film Academy.

Cao Zhong squinted. It was the first time he had ever known that Lu Yang had actually graduated from Beijing Institute of Technology with an undergraduate degree in engineering.

No wonder he's different from those uncultured guys; he made "Brotherhood of Blades," which revitalized Chinese martial arts films in the new century. He also made two "A Writer's Odyssey" films, which grossed billions at the box office.

In fact, Lu Yang is the pioneer who, after the Fifth Generation directors, has been striving to make commercial films.

Even earlier than Guo Fan, Jiaozi, Wu Jing, and others.

But while he revitalized martial arts films, he also caused a generational gap in their genre.

From that time on, there were no more martial arts films in China. Films like *Reign of Assassins* and *The Assassin* were simply not good enough in Cao Zhong's eyes.
Especially "The Assassin," it's beautiful, but the disgusting Cao Zhong is unacceptable; tens of thousands of online trolls are frantically trying to whitewash him.

This film helped Hou Hsiao-hsien win the Best Director award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.
However, people's evaluation of it has been reduced to narratives such as "unique insights into traditional Eastern culture", "humanistic concern and artistic pursuit", "poetic cinematic language system", and "applause from the general public, media critics and foreign media".
Giving the right to aesthetics to outsiders

I'm not going to talk about whether the movie is good or not.

Cao Zhong had seen it. This movie lacked commercial entertainment value, mainstream storytelling, and audiovisual appeal; it was an absolute "three-no" product.

The whole thing was nothing more than a standard "master" photography tutorial, a vehicle for conveying universal values.

Not only did it recreate the story of "The Cat and the Snake" from fifteen years ago, but it also deepened it, making the story even worse.

In fact, Cao Zhong dislikes people talking about certain contradictions, such as "high-grossing films are called blockbusters, while films by masters are called movies."
Finally, give the audience a lesson, saying that this is a test of the domestic audience's appreciation of true cinematic art.

What a load of crap!
We're all just ordinary people who pay to see movies, not to watch pretentious artsy types using the names of great masters to give unsolicited advice. Bad is bad.

Master Hou's reputation has been completely tarnished because of this movie, but within the so-called "art circle," his status has actually risen even higher.

That group even used phrases like "the actors' seamless performances," "the scenery is so beautiful it's unbelievable," "the exquisitely crafted costumes and props," "the revolutionary significance of traditional martial arts," and "the pursuit of artistic conception and the inclusive aesthetic spirit" to salvage their reputation, placing themselves above the aesthetic sensibilities of ordinary viewers and attempting to bully the audience when the film's box office performance was poor.

But what these people are saying is, isn't this just a PowerPoint presentation? Just take a picture! Why bother with editing?
After "Brotherhood of Blades", there have been no martial arts films in China.

As Cao Zhong was thinking this, Lu Yang's voice continued.

"I studied under Teacher Tian for three years, researching the art-related things he talked about."

He emphasized to me the importance of studying films that blend tragedy and comedy with humanity, sincerity, and simplicity. I took it very seriously, and even made some digital films, which yielded significant results.

"After learning about Director Cao's triple architecture theory, I'm a bit confused."

Lu Yang looked up at Cao Zhong.

"I have carefully read your book, 'Nanjing Photo Studio,' seven times, and each time I have new insights."

Your film is outwardly a tragedy, but while maintaining restraint and showcasing the cruelty and bestiality of the Japanese people, you still leave the audience with a glimmer of warmth and hope.

You're trying to tell the audience that even when life has become inhumane, there are still people with hope, and something bright that supports them to keep going. Even in death, they tenaciously resist the injustice of life and demonstrate the value of life.

"I feel that compared to what Teacher Tian said, the narratives and structures in your films are what I am truly pursuing, because that is the value of life."

I've thought about coming to see you for a long time. I studied film not to sit in an office, but to go out and explore, even if the future is very uncertain and I might even go hungry. I still want to do this.

And if I'm going to do it, I should make films like Director Cao's.
We must look towards the audience and have reverence and passion for film.
We should tell the stories and sentiments of ordinary people, and portray the underlying emotions of the world.

Even with joy, sorrow, and grief, these people should be allowed to achieve extraordinary things from ordinary beginnings.
Rather than resorting to gloomy and ugly self-deprecating tactics or stigmatizing methods.

Cao Zhong was a little surprised.

He never expected Lu Yang to say these things.
Moreover, in these words,
Cao Zhong not only recognized the characters in "Nanjing Photo Studio," but also sensed the resistance and injustice faced by the three ordinary people in "Brotherhood of Blades" amidst the torrent of history.

Most importantly, he also discerned Banxia's true nature from it.

A little girl in a post-apocalyptic world, she rises from the ordinary to the extraordinary, bravely saving seven billion people.

Great movies are all alike, but bad movies are bad in their own unique ways.

In fact, in their previous lives, whether it was "Ne Zha 2", "The Battle at Lake Changjin", "Wolf Warrior 2", or "The Wandering Earth"...
At their core, every movie shares a common thread: the characters possess qualities of kindness that audiences love and even admire.
To fight against certain things, to create characters with sentiments, and to move the audience and evoke resonance.

“I’m 28 years old this year, and I don’t want to waste my time. My dad could actually introduce me to a lot of directors so I can observe and learn on set, improve my skills, and enhance my qualifications and abilities, but I have absolutely no interest in those kinds of people and I don’t want to go there at all.”

Lu Yang's attitude was very firm.
"I don't care how people slander you online, or what kind of movie you're going to make, but I know that you are the hope of Chinese cinema."

“You are different from those people,” he said sincerely to Cao Zhong. “I hope Director Cao will give me a chance, no matter what I do, even if it’s just doing odd jobs on set, being a stagehand, or even setting up a cannon, I want to be involved in Director Cao’s project.”

"Setting up the cannon" refers to installing a mechanical rocker arm, which is generally a difficult and tiring engineering job. For Lu Yang to put himself in such a humble manner shows he was truly putting himself down.

Cao Zhong knew that his father held a high position; he was apparently a doctoral supervisor at the Central Academy of Drama and an expert in the Literature and Art Bureau of the Ministry of Education.

Cao Zhong hesitated for a moment before Lu Yang spoke, though he couldn't really refuse. After all, he was the one who directed the film "We Live in Nanjing" in his previous life.

In this life, Cao Zhong produced the movie without the original novel, but unexpectedly it still attracted Lu Yang.

“You know, Director Tian and I have different artistic philosophies…” Cao Zhong took a sip of coffee, “and you are Director Tian’s student.”

"I understand! Given the current public opinion, it's normal for Director Cao to overthink things."

Lu Yang smiled and said, "I understand Director Cao's concerns, but once I've made up my mind, I won't look back."

"Director Cao is having Wang Renjun recruit the team, right? I'm willing to sign a contract with the company, even for several years, it doesn't matter. As for confidentiality and breach of contract, Director Cao can just fill in any numbers he wants. I believe that way, Director Cao will trust me more."

"Please believe in my sincerity, Director Cao. After all, working with someone who can support the Chinese commercial film market is much better than working with a teacher to make art films that are forbidden to direct."

Cao Zhong was taken aback by Lu Yang's outrageous behavior and couldn't help but cough twice.

This is such an eagerness to improve.

"So you're going to betray your sect?"

“He will always be my teacher,” Lu Yang shook his head.
"But I should have my own path, and on this path, I must trust my own reasoning and logic."

I don't care about art forms; I only focus on the characters. In all films, the characters are the only important element.

Throughout thousands of years of Chinese history, countless heroes and heroines have possessed immense energy and remarkable qualities. Only when their lives are depicted on film can they truly be considered art.

After gaining a deeper understanding of the triple framework theory, I truly realized how awful the art that some people pursue is—it lacks resistance, hope, and even a story. That's not what I'm looking for.

Therefore, I will firmly choose you, and even if Director Cao does not accept my request, I will continue on the path of learning from you.

Cao Zhong stirred his coffee and slowly drank it all.

He didn't mind supporting Lu Yang in making "Brotherhood of Blades," because that's what Chinese films should be like.

He was actually quite happy; his triple structure had finally changed some people's opinions.

His words, spoken under pressure, were not entirely useless.
He needed supporters, and Lu Yang shared this sentiment, especially since he had ultimately proven his abilities in his previous life.
What else is there to say?

Cao Zhong stood up and extended his hand.

"Pleasant to work with."

Lu Yang stood up excitedly and clasped his hands in response.
His breathing was heavy, and he looked as if he were about to weep.

……

Lu Yang needs to have some final communication with the school.
Cao Zhong was the first to go to Hengdian to visit the set of "My Disqualified Daughter".

I just joined the film crew.

A zombie charged madly at Cao Zhong.

These days, Jing Tian misses Cao Zhong terribly, especially seeing Cao Zhong being bombarded with online attacks again.

Jing Tian didn't dare to disturb him verbally, only sending a few text messages, but he felt very sorry for him.
Upon seeing Cao Zhong approaching, she disregarded her image and began to run wildly.
Although he knew it was Jing Tian in disguise, Jing Tian was so excited that it startled Cao Zhong, making his heart tremble.
Cao Zhong was mentally clear-headed, but his physical actions resisted, just as the other person was about to get close to him...
He pressed down on Jing Tian's head, blocking the opponent's attack.

Jing Tian's hands, which were meant to hug Cao Zhong, grasped at empty air, making him look like a zombie about to tear a living person apart.

Jing Tian was so ashamed that he was speechless: ...

The crew was also stunned.

"I'm so embarrassed, senior."

When Cao Zhong finally realized what had happened, Jing Tian was so embarrassed that he started digging his toes into the ground.

"It's alright, it's normal for actors to make mistakes on set," Cao Zhong replied vaguely.

"I meant you and me." Jing Tian glared at Cao Zhong, hands on her hips, and pouted.
"I just wanted to hug you, but you pressed my head down in front of so many people and pinned me down. I'm so embarrassed."

Just now, it looked exactly like a zombie trying to tear Cao Zhong apart, but Cao Zhong subdued it with one hand.

"It was an instinctive reaction; I thought you wanted to bite me." Cao Zhong coughed twice.

Jing Tian leaned forward, getting closer to Cao Zhong.

"Aaaaaah, this is so embarrassing! I don't care, I don't care, you have to let me carry you back sometime, otherwise I won't be able to survive on set. They'll think I'm the one who's eager to carry you!"

"Weren't you eager to get close? Did you report to me beforehand? You think you can just hug me whenever you want?" Cao Zhong snorted. "What kind of relationship do we have? You dare to covet my young body?"

Jing Tian was momentarily at a loss for words, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

As expected, Director Cao was just as he had imagined—upright and pure.

Even though she's so familiar with Director Guan, she still gets resistance when she tries to hug him. If it were anyone else, Director Cao would definitely not accept it either.

And thinking about making another movie with Director Cao...
After such a long period of contact, she might very well achieve her goal.

Jing Tian's eyes gleamed with a light.

His face was beaming with joy.

(End of this chapter)