Returning to the 82 Mountain Village: An Encounter with the Journey to the West Film Crew at the Beg

Zhou Fangyuan held the newly carved small wooden sculpture in his hand as he walked over from the direction of the props department.

Just past the porch, I saw a man standing in the yard smoking.

The man's brow was furrowed tightly, and several cigarette butts were scattered at his feet, covering the ground in a somber mess, indicating that he had been standing there for quite some time.

They must have encountered something troublesome.

"Director Li," Zhou Fangyuan greeted him.

Li Hongchang looked up and saw it was him. His eyes brightened slightly, but were quickly covered by sorrow again.

"Xiao Zhou, I'm having a headache. We're filming a group scene tomorrow where Zhenyuan Daxian ascends to heaven to hear the Dao."

Thirty-odd extras, it's hard to find the right people...

He took a deep drag on his cigarette.

"The set for this scene has been set up, and Director Yang's schedule is very tight. Every day that is delayed is a day's worth of money."

Moreover, most of the people in our crew are okay at playing monsters, but when it comes to playing venerable Taoist priests... the vibe just doesn't fit.

As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily drifted into the depths of the quiet Taoist temple.

Occasionally, faint Taoist chants drifted over from there.

"You mean... you want to ask the Taoist priests in the temple for help?" Zhou Fangyuan understood immediately.

Li Hongchang sighed and said with a wry smile:

"I know this idea is a bit out of line. Director Yang also said on the first day that it probably won't work."

Moreover, they value a quiet life, and acting and appearing in public are... difficult for them.

As he spoke, his bitter smile deepened.

"I'm not going to talk to any leaders about venues with my old face. I can handle all sorts of random things, but this... I'm afraid there's no room for negotiation."

He looked at Zhou Fangyuan with a tentative, "desperate measure" look in his eyes, but his tone was sincere:

"Xiao Zhou, you've been dealing with the temple these past few days, and I've noticed they've been quite kind to you."

You're quick-witted, how about... you go and sound them out? If it doesn't work out, that's okay, I'll think of another terrible idea.

After a moment's hesitation, Zhou Fangyuan nodded in agreement.

After thinking it over, he didn't go directly to the kitchen to find Master Wang.

He went to the guest quarters of the temple, where visitors were received daily, and asked to see the Taoist priest in charge of receiving guests.

The guesthouse was a place he had observed over the past few days; it served as the Taoist temple's reception and external liaison center.

He was received by a middle-aged Taoist priest. After listening to Zhou Fangyuan's tactful and sincere request, the priest remained calm but slowly shook his head.

"Fellow Daoist, this matter is not something I can decide."

Firstly, the fellow practitioners in the temple do have daily tasks and practices with fixed rules, and should not be easily disturbed.

Secondly, the matter of performing a play concerns the reputation of the entire Taoist temple, and it requires the approval of the abbot or supervisor.

Zhou Fangyuan was somewhat disappointed after hearing this, but his expression remained urgent and sincere.

The Taoist priest was moved by his appearance and offered him a word of advice:

"The host has not returned from his travels."

The abbot's senior uncle... He always believed that the glamour of film and television easily disturbed his peace and quiet.

Even if Uncle Wang were to speak on their behalf, it might not be successful.

He paused, then lowered his voice:

"Every day at 5 PM, the abbot would study under the ancient cedar tree in the backyard. That was his unwavering time for quiet meditation, and also the time when his mind was most at peace."

"Fellow Daoist, that's all I can say."

His gaze as he looked at the young man was clear and bright.

Zhou Fangyuan suddenly felt pressured. Did he have to meet with the Abbot? The difficulty had increased significantly.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to go back and discuss it with Director Li.

After thanking the Taoist priest sincerely, Zhou Fangyuan turned and left.

On the way back, Zhou Fangyuan looked worried.

As he walked along the corridor, he looked up and saw several familiar figures in the distance, clumsily trying out different moves over and over again.

The actors were sweating profusely, and one young actor repeatedly adjusted his bowing posture just to find the right angle.

The scene made him slow his pace, not because he laughed at their clumsiness, but because he was suddenly touched by their focus.

This almost obsessive meticulousness, like a polished mirror, suddenly revealed his true self.

When you played those two roles before, did you also seek such "truth"?

As the answer emerges, some previously overlooked details and some perfunctory actions that one was unaware of also become clear.

Zhou Fangyuan felt a slight flush rise to his face as he recalled the details he had overlooked.

But now is not the time for self-reflection.

He rubbed his face vigorously, twisting the guilt in his heart into an even stronger determination.

Just then, Master Wang's words from last night suddenly echoed in my mind.

The voice wasn't loud, but it instantly brought him to his senses.

His only advantage now is perhaps that he has completely integrated the crew's "truth-seeking" spirit with his almost sacred understanding of "Journey to the West" as a reborn person.

Just then, an idea popped up like a tiny spark.

"If only future dramas could be produced with the same dedication as this production team, even if they were a little clumsy, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Zhou Fangyuan didn't want to disappoint Director Li's expectations or the production team, so he decided to try again.

If you go empty-handed and empty-hearted to ask for help, why should the Taoist priest believe you?

After devising some countermeasures, Zhou Fangyuan returned to the side room in the afternoon and took his laptop with him.

The time has come to 5 PM.

Beneath the ancient cedar tree, the abbot sat in meditation.

Zhou Fangyuan waited respectfully to the side until the Taoist priest finished his reading before stepping forward.

He didn't ask for help; instead, he first politely inquired about the matter.

Zhou Fangyuan bowed deeply, mimicking how Xun Gao had once led him to see Elder Qian:

"Master, I apologize for disturbing your peace. I am Zhou Fangyuan, a member of the film crew. I have been filming at the temple recently and have a question in my mind. Only you, Master, can answer it."

The abbot's gaze remained fixed on the Taoist text, his tone indifferent: "The mysteries of film and television are beyond my comprehension."

Zhou Fangyuan remained calm and his attitude became increasingly respectful.

"It's not the film and television that's perplexing, but the philosophy of Taoism."

We were filming "Journey to the West," which includes a scene where the Taoist priest of Wuzhuang Temple respectfully escorts Zhenyuan Daxian to heaven to listen to the Dao.

We consulted countless ancient texts, designed the rituals, and arranged the scenes, but the younger generation always felt that it was easier to paint the surface than to capture the essence.

We can portray the physical forms of Taoist masters, but we don't know how to touch even a trace of the sincerity and reverence in the hearts of those seeking the Tao.

We're afraid that what we'll capture is merely excitement, not genuine devotion.

Zhou Fangyuan's attitude was sincere, and the supervisor paused slightly as he turned the pages of the book.

The gaze finally shifted from the Taoist book and landed on the young man's face for the first time.

Zhou Fangyuan then presented his observation notes from the past few days.

The paper was so thin that the writing on the back was visible through it.

The research on the Taoist priests' bowing and greetings, their daily words and deeds, and even the placement of their bowls and chopsticks.

It's densely packed with text, and some parts are even marked, clearly indicating that it was carefully considered repeatedly.

"This is..." A hint of surprise flashed across the Taoist priest's eyes.

"This is the homework our crew did for this scene. It's very basic, but we dare not be disrespectful."

Our director Yang Jie often said, "When filming about gods, you must first have reverence in your heart."

But we are, after all, just ordinary people. We have reverence in our hearts, yet we struggle to find the path...

So, I'd like to ask you this question: in your opinion, what is the most important aspect of this farewell ceremony?

Zhou Fangyuan successfully turned the vulgar request, "Please come and act in this play," into reality.

It has transformed into the serious cultural question of "how can we capture the true meaning of the path?"

The Taoist priest solemnly took the notebook and turned the pages one by one.