In the entertainment industry, everyone has been reborn, but who will be their servant?

Chapter 94 Ethnic Genes
With the leader's intervention, the atmosphere became more relaxed, and everyone felt at ease.

After drinking the water, Qin Xuan handed the cup back to the secretary. At the same time, his enthusiasm was extinguished by the water. The leader was still superior.

But as long as he remembers, he can still get up. That's all he's ever done.

"Then let's continue. Do you have any more questions?" the leader told them to keep asking.

"What he said just now was indeed very moving. Even at my age, I couldn't help but be moved by his passionate words, but we still need to look at it rationally."

An elderly man with gray hair spoke to the others, twirling a pen in his hand, and looked at Qin Xuan, saying, "From what I've seen of your previous remarks, you always seem to be speaking from a very high perspective, talking about the nation, the past, and the future. Now let's look at things from the perspective of ordinary people."

This person noticed that Qin Xuan's tone was always very high, and he always used the righteous cause of the nation to make sophistry for them, so he narrowed down the scope to the individual.

Everyone else sat up straight and listened attentively, and Qin Xuan was also on high alert, as they wouldn't let him raise his voice.

"There's a character in your script who's a translator, working for the Japanese and flattering them, yet he's very affectionate towards his wife and children. Is this whitewashing a traitor? Is it blurring the lines between right and wrong? Isn't this different from what you said before about bad guys being bad guys and good guys being good guys?"

He was referring to the original character played by Wang Chuanjun.

"Then your perspective is wrong. According to historical records, many translators and pseudo-officials compromised under the violent coercion of the Japanese. A few of them were awakened after witnessing the murder of their relatives and compatriots."

The character you mentioned is a microcosm. You can look at it from a different perspective. Doesn't this character reveal that besides killing civilians, militarism also forces ordinary people to abandon their conscience and become accomplices?

"I killed your family, and now I want you to work for me? Doesn't that cause you pain? Isn't that a brutal violation of humanity? Doesn't it further demonstrate that militarism is a distorted, cold-blooded machine?"

Qin Xuan looked at the elderly man with gray hair and said again, "This character's ending is tragic, which reflects values. Any compromise with the aggressor will ultimately backfire on oneself, rather than simply blurring right and wrong as you said. Doesn't this have any warning significance?"

This answer was reasonable, well-founded, and supported by historical records, unlike the previous emotional outburst. Those present nodded in agreement and then looked at the elderly man with gray hair.

At this point, Tong Gang and Zhang Hongsen had even more confidence in Qin Xuan. Throughout the entire defense, they had the upper hand and could always smooth things over.

It seems we can't judge people too one-sidedly.

Tong Gang glanced at the expressions of the leaders. Although he couldn't tell their reactions, they seemed fairly satisfied with the current presentations.

The elderly man with gray hair remained calm and asked again: "Currently, there are films about Nanjing such as 'Nanjing Nanjing' and 'The Flowers of War.' These films present that period of history from different perspectives. Your script does not make any new historical discoveries. In my opinion, it is just repetitive creation and has no unique significance."

His point was that other films depicting that period of history were sufficient, and filming them was superfluous.

"I don't know if any of you here go online, but I do. I can say I'm a veteran internet user. There's a phenomenon online."

The problem lies in the vast differences in historical understanding. Netizens often argue heatedly, sometimes even resorting to insults directed at each other's relatives. Even when historical facts are already irrefutable, some people try to whitewash them from the perspective of the aggressors.

Qin Xuan paused here, then said, "I wasn't referring to any particular movie you just mentioned!"

Some of the people present couldn't help but laugh. That pause was truly a stroke of genius. They hadn't thought anything of it and were just listening normally.

But this pause reminds people of a certain movie that reflects on anti-war sentiments from the perspective of a script. Even if that movie hasn't been released, they've all read the script, and the finished film is almost out.

This person is incredibly clever; they deliberately refer to netizens online, but are actually criticizing them by name, all while making it impossible for anyone to get angry.

The elderly man with gray hair who asked the question blushed slightly after Qin Xuan's question, having lost face in front of so many people.

It's his own fault for using those two movies as examples!
"What I just expressed is that young people and people from different social classes have different understandings of history. This phenomenon is that there are fewer and fewer survivors of that period of history. In other words, the living memories are disappearing, which gives people the opportunity to misinterpret it."

The film is told from the perspective of young people and ordinary people. It portrays the victims and the general public, which makes it more relatable to contemporary young people.

What is film? Isn't film about shaping a correct historical perspective in young viewers through the stories of ordinary people, making ordinary people remember history, and instilling in them a sense of obligation to defend their country? I don't understand what other meaning is needed.

Qin Xuan spoke his last sentence in a very casual manner.

The significance lies in shaping a correct historical perspective in contemporary young people; making ordinary people obligated to defend their country is enough to prove its significance.

An expert smiled, leaned back in his chair, and looked at the elderly man with gray hair with schadenfreude, as if to say, "See? This is the meaning."

Actually, they had differing opinions, otherwise they wouldn't have asked Qin Xuan to answer the question.

Everyone agreed that they should have rejected his application long ago, without even giving him a chance to defend it.

The elderly man with graying hair threw down the pen in his hand, turned to the side, and was clearly a little angry.

"Get straight to the point and don't let personal emotions get in the way." The leader controlled the pace of the meeting.

Upon hearing this, everyone present became more serious, and the elderly man with gray hair had no choice but to sit up straight again.

Qin Xuan glanced at the nameplate of the elderly man with gray hair. It only had his name on it, but no information about his background.

However, those sitting in the expert panel only have the right to make suggestions, not the right to make final decisions. The decision-making power belongs to several leaders.

"This young man is quite eloquent, and he also has unique insights into history. He would be a great asset in international exchanges," the man in the formal suit said with a smile.

It must be the foreign affairs department. They asked questions about most of the other departments, but not the foreign affairs department, which is also the most difficult department to resolve the issue with.

"You jest. I'm only proficient in this part of history; my knowledge of the language is quite limited." Qin Xuan meant that he only spoke Chinese. The man in the suit smiled and asked, "I also have a question. Your script directly depicts the atrocities committed in the original work, with virtually no concealment. This could potentially cause public conflict and even affect relations between the two sides. Have you anticipated this risk? What countermeasures have you prepared?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't anticipate such a risk, nor did I have any countermeasures," Qin Xuan shook his head.

This answer surprised everyone present. Wasn't this a common-sense question? The question wasn't even that pointed, so why couldn't they answer it right away?

The man in the suit was also a little uncomfortable; he had been listening to this debate quite well.

Even Tong Gang and Zhang Hongsen couldn't help but look serious. If they couldn't handle the foreign affairs department, then things would get a bit complicated.

The leaders remained calm, but were also somewhat surprised.

"I'm curious, what is the basis of the relationship between the two sides? Isn't it based on facing history squarely?" Qin Xuan asked rhetorically.

The man in the suit remained silent; that makes sense.

"I am an artist, a Chinese artist. My film is supported by historical materials and official records of the Nanjing Trials. It is made from the perspective of true history and opposes the universal view of all wars of aggression."

"Just because they have public sentiment, does that mean we shouldn't film it? They're rewriting history, do they even care about our feelings?" Qin Xuan scanned the crowd.

Everyone present stared at him, waiting for him to speak.

"First of all, I am not being emotional. What I want to say is that this history is already engraved in the national genes. They are the ones who are in the wrong, and they are the ones who need to reflect on their mistakes."

What we need to do is make them face history squarely. This is the foundation for equal dialogue and mutual respect. How can a country that dares not face its history be qualified to talk about mutual trust?
If the public opposes our filming today and we give up, but they oppose it again tomorrow, then gradually the audience will no longer be able to see films depicting real historical events.

The truth is on our side. What are we afraid of? We are simply defending the truth and protecting the hard-won peace. What's wrong with that?

Qin Xuan spoke so passionately that those present were once again moved.

They thought this person wouldn't be able to answer, but he answered quite well, with reason and evidence, making their blood boil.

“Actually, we don’t need to delve too deeply into this foreign affairs issue. There have been quite a few films about Nanjing in the past two years. If they have any objections, let them have them.” Someone spoke up for Qin Xuan.

"But this risk exists."

"There are risks, but we can't compromise because of these risks. That would be putting the cart before the horse. Besides, we've made the film and promoted it overseas. We've also gained the goodwill of some conscientious people in the world. There are gains and losses." Tong Gang also stepped forward at the right time.

Some people nodded, while others remained silent and did not express their opinions.

“What Director Tong said makes sense. Our approach to Japan has always been to learn from history and look to the future. As Xiao Qin just said, we must defend the true history in order to be vigilant about the future,” another person said.

Everyone else looked at the man in the suit, waiting to see what he would say.

The man in formal attire leaned forward at his desk and said, "I have some suggestions: don't be too extreme. Separate the military from the people. Also, stick to the bottom line of history and film according to the historical conclusions recognized by the international community."

There's nothing else to it. As for the impact, to be honest, every film has its share, but we won't ask the film to downplay it.

This basically means they've agreed to make the movie.

The leaders lowered their heads and whispered among themselves. One of them sat up straight and said, "Now that we've finished discussing, I'd like to say a few words."

The expressions of everyone present became more solemn; this was the moment to decide whether the movie could be made, that is, to make a final decision.

Tong Gang and Zhang Hongsen both became nervous.

Qin Xuan was also on edge, feeling uneasy, and staring intently at the leader in front of him.

"A good movie is one that can help people understand justice, distinguish right from wrong, establish beliefs, and pass on spiritual strength. The core of a movie is not to instill history, but to awaken empathy."

This means that appropriate artistic interpretation is permissible.

"You all heard what Xiao Qin just said. It was to make people remember history and awaken future generations. I think that already has its value."

With that, the leader's words were tantamount to approving the film. He looked at Qin Xuan and said, "I hope you will make this film a good work that can withstand the test of history and be recognized by the international community, so as to truly exert the educational significance and spiritual power of a major historical film."

"Okay, leader, I will definitely work hard." Qin Xuan's face showed some excitement.

Tong Gang and Zhang Hongsen were completely relieved. They thought it would be a long and complicated process, but it turned out to be over in no time.

Others were disappointed, while others were satisfied.

"During filming, the Film Bureau should still listen to the experts' opinions and do a good job of supervision." The leader looked at Director Tong.

This is where the follow-up supervision comes in; it can't go astray. As for the experts' advice, whose advice to listen to and whose to ignore is another matter.

"Yes, sir." Director Tong indicated that he understood.

(End of this chapter)