Huayu: Enjoy Yourself

Chapter 7 Avant-garde Cinema

"Hey kid, you bought me a cigarette today, so I'll introduce you to the idol you told me about. 🎀♠ ➅❾𝐒нỮ𝔁.匚๏𝐦 👌♨"

Jiang Wen, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, raised his left hand and pointed with his thumb at Ge You behind him.

"Thank you, Brother Jiang. Hello, Teacher Ge. I didn't feel comfortable approaching you on set today, but I'm a fan of yours."

Chen An excitedly grabbed Grandpa Ge's hand and said.

"You little brat, you call me brother and him teacher, making me feel like I'm a generation lower for no reason."

Jiang Wen interrupted the two of them, patted Chen An, and squeezed into the room.

I found a table, put the wine and food on it, and sat down on a nearby chair.

"Besides, I'm more than a decade older than you. I'm already being lenient by not asking you to call me 'uncle,' but you're calling me 'brother' right off the bat."

Grandpa Ge, who followed behind, also found a chair and sat down: "I actually wish he would call me younger. He always calls me 'Grandpa'."

"That's true. You looked exactly the same ten years ago as you do now, hahaha."

After closing the door, Chen An came in.

He took three cups out of the plastic bag Jiang Wen was carrying and poured the wine into them.

After having a few drinks, Jiang Wen started telling Uncle Ge about what Chen An had mentioned earlier that day. As expected of a great director, he described it vividly with gestures.

"Really?" Grandpa Ge asked curiously.

Chen An nodded, took a bite of peanut and swallowed it.

Having received Chen An's approval, Uncle Ge nodded admiringly: "Young man, you're quick-witted and clever. I wish you the best of luck in getting selected."

After saying that, he toasted Chen An with a sip of wine.

Chen An immediately returned the favor with a sip, saying, slightly tipsy, "Thank you, thank you. I wonder what Mr. Lin did with the remaining film."

"What, you have other ideas?" Jiang Wen, who was sitting next to him, understood what he meant.

"A bit. This Mr. Lin wanted to promote his clothing brand, but he got scammed this time. If he could get shortlisted..."

"Ideally, it should make some money; I reckon I could even get him to make a feature film."

Chen An nodded in response.

"So rushed? You want to film? You really want to be a director? Why don't you study directing?"

Hearing Jiang Wen's question, Chen An suddenly felt a surge of DNA urge and spoke up:

"How could you possibly pass the exam?"

"Besides, who doesn't know that all the directors at the Beijing Film Academy come from the cinematography department?"

"Who in their right mind would study directing?"

Chen An realized what he was saying halfway through and suddenly stopped talking.

"Haha, well said. Everyone knows that the directors at Beijing Film Academy all come from the cinematography department."

"But don't say that to Kai-ge, he's a proper graduate of the directing department."

Jiang Wen couldn't stop laughing, but Uncle Ge reminded him from behind.

Later, after drinking more, Jiang Wen put his arm around Chen An's shoulder and asked:

"Brother, you said you want to get that Boss Lin to make another feature film. What are you planning to make?"

Chen An did not hide anything:

"It's an avant-garde film. I've been working on the script recently, but the domestic box office isn't great. I'm thinking of trying to see if it can win an award abroad."

After saying that, he added, "Ideally, it should be one of the top three."

"Quite the boast, talking about the 'three giants' right off the bat. Do you think they're yours?"

Jiang Wen was a little stunned, thinking that this young man was really daring to think.

Chen An didn't mind: "I'm just thinking about it. Nobody says you can't think about it at all."

"That's true, we should definitely try to think positively."

When Chen An woke up the next day, he felt his throat was so thirsty it was practically burning.

I picked up the water I had gotten yesterday from the table and gulped it down, which made me feel much better.

Chen An didn't know when the other two returned; they had already tidied up the things on the table.

Chen An also prepared to wash up and start his work for the day.

It was tiring, but he was able to learn something and get paid, so Chen An had nothing to complain about.

The hotel does not provide breakfast, but breakfast will be provided when you go to the film set.

Of course, if you have money, you can find food yourself.

Clearly, Chen An had no money.

Today we've already headed to the riverbank; there are still a few scenes left to film.

My clothes need to be changed too; they have to be different from yesterday's.

When Chen An arrived at the destination, he saw that the main actors were having breakfast.

I went up and said hello, but we didn't chat much, since it was working hours.

Everyone was preparing; some were putting on makeup.

Chen An also needed to set up the props after finishing his meal, since that was his job.

This time, a group of people stood in neat rows on the opposite stone bank, a group of people with words above their heads.

They stood in a straight line, with the camera filming from this side.

Days passed by one by one.

The scenes along the Yellow River have been mostly filmed, and the filming has now moved on to the scenes inside the Qin Palace.

Chen An and the other two don't usually chat much, and they rarely talk in the theater either.

Chen An also frequently saw Jiang Wen and the director arguing about the script.

The more you watch this play, the more you sense a hint of ginger.

Sometimes in the evenings, Jiang Wen would occasionally come over for drinks and chats, or ask Chen An to come over.

Uncle Ge, on the other hand, only came once or twice.

Chen An was able to learn with peace of mind in such a large film crew, and learned many practical filming techniques that were not taught in school.

I gradually felt more confident.

Although I had images of the movie in my mind, I didn't quite understand how it would be filmed at first.

Moreover, Chen An and Jiang Wen mostly talked about filming when they chatted.

Jiang Wen didn't hold back and gave him a good lecture.

Chen An also learned from them, thinking that he would find an opportunity to ask about any questions he didn't understand.

Time flies by, and more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

The filming was nearing its end, and it looked like it was about to wrap up.

At that moment, Chen An received the long-awaited phone call.

They called the film crew directly because they didn't have a fancy phone like that.

"Feed~"

Chen An took the call from the film crew and spoke into the phone.

"Director Chen An, right?"

"right!"

"We are from Beijing Film Studio. Since you don't have a phone, the staff of the Venice Film Festival called to inform you that you have been shortlisted for the 52nd Horizons section and hope that you can go to Beijing Film Studio as soon as possible to participate in the Venice Film Festival."

"Okay, I'll get there as soon as possible."

Chen An then hung up the phone, his right hand holding the phone trembling slightly.

Although he had expected to be shortlisted, Chen An still felt like he was dreaming.

My first short film was shortlisted for the Venice Film Festival. Although it was just a short film, it was something I never dared to dream of in my past life.

After calming down with a cigarette, Chen An picked up the phone again and called Boss Lin:

"Hey~ Mr. Lin, where are you?"

"Who are you?"

"I'm Chen An, the one who helped you shoot the short film. Our short film has been shortlisted for the Venice International Film Festival. You'd better bring someone who can speak English, or even better, Italian, with you when you go abroad. If it wins an award, it should be able to make some money."

"The Venice Film Festival? The one in Venice, Italy? When do we leave?"

"Yes, that's right. You go to Beijing first, and I'll contact you later. I'll hang up now."

"no problem."

After hanging up the phone, Chen An returned it to the stage manager.

I found a place and smoked two cigarettes before I calmed down.

The filming is nearing its end, and I'm just a general assistant, so asking for leave shouldn't be a problem.

If all else fails, Chen An can return some of the money; that's not a problem.

After thinking it over, Chen An walked towards the director.

When Chen An arrived, he saw Jiang Wen and the director huddled together.

Let's look at the footage we just shot and see if it works.

In those days, there were no storyboards; only the photographer could see the footage immediately.

Therefore, they need to check whether the footage they just shot is up to standard.

The main and supporting actors sat together reading the script or chatting.

Chen An went straight to the director: "Director Zhou, I need to ask you for leave."

Before Zhou Xiaowen could reply, Jiang Wen looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"

"The short film I told you about last time has been shortlisted for this year's Venice Film Festival. The Beijing Film Studio just called me and asked me to come to Venice with them."

Chen An directly explained the situation.

"Wow, you're awesome, bro! You actually made it to the finals!" Jiang Wen exclaimed, slapping the table in response.

Director Zhou also spoke up, saying, "Alright, since filming is almost over anyway, go settle your payment now, and I'll also pay for your travel expenses so you can leave sooner."

"Thank you, director. I'll head over now."

Chen An quickly expressed his gratitude for Director Zhou's generosity.

Jiang Wen also stood up, hooked his arm around Chen An's neck and said, "Okay, I went to Venice last year. Don't embarrass your brother Jiang. At least win Best Short Film before you come back."

"Hehe, if they're willing to give it to me, I'll definitely get it back for you," Chen An replied happily.

(End of this chapter)