Reshaping the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry

In the early 20th century, if the entertainment industry were to be divided into different tiers...

The first-class would naturally be Hendrik Willem Van Loon and Jet Li.

Of course, this is just a ranking within China. In terms of international influence, Hendrik Willem Van Loon is in a league of his own, while Li can only rank slightly behind.

But in the "Hero" crew, Li Lianjie was indeed the leading man.

Secondly, there are Hong Kong and Taiwan stars; thirdly, there are young actors from the mainland entertainment industry who have made a name for themselves internationally; and finally, there are established actors from the mainland entertainment industry.

They are also generally referred to as television actors.

These are basically on par with the new generation in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Of course, He was referring to the present, not the future.

If the cast of "Hero" were in the current lineup, the order would be: Jet Li, Leung Cho-wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Daoming, and Donnie Yen.

Therefore, on the eve of the rise of the Chinese entertainment industry, it was really difficult for mainland actors to make a name for themselves.

Actresses have it a little better, since they have the support of co-production rules and can generally be cast as decorative leading ladies.

But for male actors, it's truly a dark and hopeless situation.

Few manage to make it to the top.

So the male actors in the Chinese entertainment industry born in the 70s and early 80s are really in a tough spot.

But no matter how big a star they are, Zhang Yimou can still keep them in check.

No matter how big their names are, if Zhang Yimou isn't satisfied, even if it's Jet Li, Leung Cho-wai, or Maggie Cheung, they'll still make you reshoot, even if it's a dozen takes.

For example, this scene being filmed right now in the Populus euphratica forest of Ejina.

……

The poplar forest in Ejina is one of the most otherworldly places on Earth.

In the golden autumn of October, the leaves of the poplar trees are as yellow as if they have been sprinkled with gold dust, and the sunlight filters through the branches and leaves, turning the entire forest into an amber color.

In the distance lies the Gobi Desert, nearby are yellow leaves, and the sky is that artificial blue, a color unique to the Northwest.

He stood behind the camera, watching the footage on the monitor, which had been carefully angled and framed by Zhang Yimou with precise lighting and color. He had only one thought in his mind.

This is what a movie should be like.

Although he has not yet met Jiang Wen, they share a common trait: Jiang Wen's straightforwardness.

Those familiar with the movie will recognize this place name; today we're filming the most classic scene from "Hero".

The showdown between Feixue (Zhang Manyu) and Ruyue (Zhang Ziyi) in the poplar forest.

It is also a scene in which Zhang Yimou's use of color is impressive.

"Xiao He," Zhang Yimou noticed a change in his expression and, suddenly feeling a urge to test him, asked, "What color do you think should be used to present this scene?"

He paused for a moment, then said, "Red?"

Why?

"Because of emotions."

He thought for a moment and organized his thoughts: "Between Feixue and Ruyue, there is jealousy, betrayal, anger, and murderous intent. Red best expresses these emotions."

Zhang Yimou glanced at him, his face expressionless, making it impossible to tell whether he was satisfied or not.

"Anything else?"

"And..." He Ye stared at the monitor screen, his mind racing. "The yellow of the poplar forest is warm, a symbol of vitality. But this scene is about killing, about death. Using red and yellow in opposition can create a kind of... a kind of..."

"What kind of thing?" Zhang Yimou pressed.

"A feeling that 'extreme beauty is cruel'."

Zhang Yimou was silent for a few seconds, then the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Old Mu has taught well... Having a disciple like you..." For a moment, Zhang Yimou also had the idea of ​​taking on a disciple, but the idea quickly disappeared.

He also has a daughter to teach.

However, even though I can't take on apprentices, I still have to teach them: "But remember, red is not just an emotion, it's also a metaphor."

"metaphor?"

"Each color in 'Hero' has its own symbolism," Zhang Yimou said, pointing to the monitor. "Black represents Qin, power, and order. White represents namelessness, purity, and nothingness. Green represents memory, hope, and fleeting beauty."

"What about red?" He also asked.

"Red represents desire, hatred, blood... and also the state of Zhao."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"In addition, you also need to understand," Zhang Yimou continued, sharing his knowledge generously, "that color is not isolated. It needs to be combined with light and shadow, composition, and movement to create true power."

He walked to the monitor and pulled up the footage he had just taken.

"Look at this set of photos. Zhao Xiaoding used side backlighting to outline Zhang Manyu's features, but her face is dark. At this time, her clothes are red, but the red in the dark light and the red in the bright light evoke completely different emotions."

"Red in dim light is oppressive, gloomy, and full of murderous intent."

"Red under the bright light is flamboyant, intense, and unrestrained."

"So in this scene, I plan to have them fight from the shadows to the light, from suppression to explosion. The change in the color red represents the change in emotions."

The old master taught with great care, and He listened intently.

It is said that the master leads you through the door, but the practice is up to you.

But there is another saying: true teachings can be conveyed in a single sentence, while false teachings can fill countless volumes.

He felt the same way at that moment. He had actually learned almost all the relevant knowledge about directing and cinematography, but learning and applying it flexibly were two different things.

At this moment, after Zhang Yimou's guidance, it was as if a door had been pushed open in his mind.

There are ten thousand no's between theory and practice.

No matter how well you learn or how much you talk, nothing beats trying it yourself.

During this period, he experienced everything on and off the set, and he shot countless takes.

If the knowledge he learned before was dry and lifeless, then now, after several months of practice, having absorbed enough nutrients, the seed can finally blossom.

And Zhang Yimou is the person who personally helped him break through the seed's outer shell.

In the Chinese entertainment industry to date, has anyone been able to be analyzed and instructed by Zhang Yimou on set, with him pointing at the monitor and explaining each line in detail?

This kind of opportunity cannot be bought with money.

"Come here," Zhang Yimou patted him on the shoulder, "come and take a look at the positioning."

He followed him to the open space in the middle of the poplar forest.

Zhang Manyu and Zhang Ziyi have changed into their costumes and are making final preparations.

Zhang Manyu wore a long red dress, while Zhang Ziyi wore a bright orange outfit. The two stood in the golden poplar forest, like two burning flames.

"The duel between Feixue and Ruyue," Zhang Yimou squatted down and drew a few circles on the ground, "on the surface it's a master-servant feud, but in reality it's an expression of jealousy and betrayal."

"Feixue was jealous of Ruyue because Ruyue was younger and more innocent. Ruyue betrayed Feixue because she wanted to prove herself."

"So their fight wasn't a life-or-death struggle, but rather... an emotional release."

He nodded.

He had read the script, knew the ending of the scene, and had also seen the version released in theaters, so there was no need to explain much.

In short: Feixue killed Ruyue, but was also injured. Two women, one dead, one wounded, both for the sake of one man.

He wasn't concerned with the plot; instead, he wanted to know something more specific: "Director, what about their positions?"

"What did you observe?" Zhang Yimou asked in return.

He stared at the circle on the ground for a while, then said, "They keep going in circles."

"right."

Why?

"Because it's meant to convey that they're trapped."

"Trapped?" He was a little confused. Do all you fifth and sixth generation directors like to add so many metaphors and hints to your movies?

It's just making a movie, is it really that big of a deal?

"Trapped by love, trapped by desire, trapped by their own obsessions. Their fight is like struggling in an invisible cage."

"Therefore, movement is circular, with no beginning and no end."

Having roughly understood Zhang Yimou's meaning, He Ye suddenly felt that Zhang Yimou was not only a director, but also a philosopher.

"Alright, stop overthinking it," Zhang Yimou stood up. "Let's watch the actual footage once."

……

"Action!"

Zhang Manyu and Zhang Ziyi began to move into position.

The two moved slowly because this was a dramatic scene, not a martial arts scene.

They don't need to actually fight; they only need to use their eyes, their body language, and the movement of their clothes to convey that tense atmosphere.

Zhang Manyu's eyes are cold, as cold as a knife.

Zhang Ziyi's eyes were burning hot, like fire.

The two faced off in the poplar forest. The wind blew, and the red skirt and orange-red hem of her clothes fluttered among the golden fallen leaves.

He watched the two of them and felt a sense of unease.

Then, before he could even speak...

"Cut!" Zhang Yimou called for a halt.

Zhang Manyu and Zhang Ziyi stopped and looked at him.

"Your emotions are off." Zhang Yimou walked over. "Feixue, your hatred for Ruyue isn't because you hate her for taking the Broken Sword, it's because you hate her for showing you your weakness."

Zhang Manyu nodded thoughtfully.

"Ruyue, your jealousy of Feixue isn't because she possesses the Broken Sword, but because she has something you don't—composure."

Zhang Ziyi pursed her lips and nodded.

"Let's do it one more time."

Article 2, Article 3, Article 4...

For each take, Zhang Yimou would point out the problems, make adjustments, and then film again.

He was watching from the side. He was not only looking at the technique, but also at Zhang Yimou's understanding of the characters, emotions, and story.

These are the things that truly demonstrate a director's skill.

Filming continued until evening before the scene was finally considered complete.

Zhang Manyu and Zhang Ziyi were exhausted, but Zhang Yimou finally showed a satisfied expression on his face.

"That's a wrap!" he called out, then turned to He Ye, "Hey He, come to my room tonight."

He was taken aback for a moment: "Huh?"

"Didn't you want to learn about color? Let me explain it to you."

"Hey! Thank you, director!"

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