Huayu: Enjoy Yourself

Chapter 96 The Lament of an Era

Uncle Ge seemed a little melancholy, a cigarette between his fingers, reclining on a chair in the courtyard where the filming was taking place. ✿.｡.:* ☆:**:. .:**:.☆*.:｡.✿

At this moment, the night sky was filled with a dazzling array of stars, and he sat there, looking up at the heavens.

Strands of starlight slowly fell.

He exhaled a long breath of hot air mixed with smoke.

A gust of wind blew by, causing the hem of his clothes to flutter.

He's been sitting here ever since he finished dinner.

He didn't participate in yesterday's dinner either; he hadn't felt this way in a long time.

Even though I am fully conscious, I often feel a little dazed and unreal.

This is something I haven't experienced in many years.

I felt incredibly relaxed while performing, as if every pore was singing with joy, but it all vanished in an instant.

It's like being detached from the world; the scene around you feels like traveling through another time and space, passing through scene after scene, leaving a deep impression, yet you feel detached from it all.

Chen An was also a little worried and wondered if he should call Sister Cong.

The other person seems to be in a detached state right now, as if they are adrift in the world. You can sense their dazed state when you talk to them.

My eyes often lose focus, and my thoughts wander.

The next day, in an emergency, Chen An gathered a few people and set off immediately, taking the film and Uncle Ge with him on their way back.

I dare not delay any longer.

The rest of the people stayed behind to clean up the film crew and would return later, while Chen An and his group set off first.

The train, starting from Fulin, travels south all the way to the capital.

Grandpa Ge didn't say a word the whole way, leaning against the window and gazing at the distant scenery.

He had a panoramic view of the vast plain, and nothing around him seemed to affect him.

When the train arrived at its destination, the group got off together and found that Ge Daye's wife, Sister Cong, had been waiting for them for a long time.

Her first reaction upon seeing her husband was not to speak, but to pull him into her arms.

This time, I couldn't come with Mr. Ge because an elderly family member suddenly fell ill; I usually accompany him as his assistant.

"Youzi is alright, she's back. You're back, and so am I." Sister Cong said, hugging Grandpa Ge tightly while gently patting his back.

Afterwards, everyone got into the pre-arranged car and took Grandpa Ge home first.

"Sorry, Sister Cong. I didn't pay much attention while taking the photos, and I felt a bit overwhelmed afterward."

"It was my oversight that I didn't go with him this time."

Sister Cong shook her head. It was her oversight. She should have found someone to take care of the elderly at home first, and she should have gone to keep the other person company.

Chen An rubbed his head. Ge You wasn't exactly a method actor either; he was known for getting out of character quickly after filming. Why did he do this this time?

This was the first time Chen An had encountered such a situation.

After first taking Mr. Ge and his wife home, the group then sent the film reels to the Beijing Film Studio.

The company is still recruiting post-production staff, so it's better to have them manufactured in the factory for the time being.

Filming for the movie has officially come to a close.

We set off in March and returned in April.

Next month, Han Sanping will take up a position at China Film Group, and he has informed Chen An of this inside information in advance.

The domestic market is about to undergo major reforms, and licenses for private issuance will be issued.

This matter will be led by China Film Group, after which private film companies will be able to own their own film distribution channels, as long as they pass the censorship and bid.

Correspondingly, all privately distributed films are required to pay a distribution agency fee of 1-3% to China Film Group after paying a 3.3% special business tax and a 5% film industry special fund on the distributable box office revenue.

The era of private distribution is coming, which will be a huge blow to this studio, but they haven't realized it yet.

The first to be hit will be the once-glorious Xi'an Film Studio, symbolizing the instant decline of the studio era.

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It will also be a lament of the studio era, with private distribution marking the end of what could be called an era of art and literature, and high-grossing commercial films becoming the mainstream.

Studios can't compete with private companies.

Chen An also needs to prepare early to accept and absorb those behind-the-scenes personnel who have left the system. As for those directors who have left, it depends on fate.

In the future, mainland film and television companies will grow rapidly, gradually encroaching on the territory of major film studios.

"But who will receive this first private enterprise issuance license?" Chen An muttered to himself as he lay back in his chair at home.

Is it myself, or Bernard, who sent it to Yu Dong just like in my previous life?

Filming for "Devils on the Doorstep," which began last August, is still ongoing.

In a small village below Xifengkou, Chen An, one of the film's investors, was joining the film crew for the first time.

The village underwent a massive transformation, costing a considerable amount of money to achieve the effect Jiang Wen desired.

Chen An and Zhao Xiong came together; the journey wasn't far, but it wasn't short either.

The filming location is a small village below the Xifengkou Great Wall, which is not as famous as popular tourist attractions like Shanhaiguan.

The gate was rebuilt during the Yongle era and renamed Xifengkou. It has been a strategic military location for more than 500 years, but it is now almost abandoned.

It was also the site of the resistance against Japanese pirates back then, which is why Jiang Wen chose this place.

The film crew built a shooting base here, which shows Jiang Wen's pursuit of filmmaking and the amount of money he spends.

On the contrary, the village he built has become a scenic spot, much like Chen Kaige's situation.

The movie was a failure, but one became a tourist attraction, while the other boosted Hengdian World Studios. In fact, the real estate built during filming, including the Qin Palace, actually made money.

Maybe all geniuses are like this; Chen An certainly didn't understand this approach.

As soon as Chen An entered the film crew, he felt the serious atmosphere.

Everyone kept their heads down and didn't speak, except for Jiang Wen and a few others who were talking.

Wearing a costume and rimless glasses, Jiang Wen sat in a chair with a script on his lap, gesturing wildly and talking incessantly.

Sitting around him was Gu Changwei, whom Chen An hadn't managed to take away. Chen An didn't know if Gu Changwei recognized him, but he certainly did.

His go-to screenwriter, Shuping, was also present, along with actor Teruyuki Kagawa, who introduced a brand-new way of sending New Year's greetings, and lead actress Jiang Hongbo.

A group of actors had gathered nearby, but they were just listening until Chen An walked over, at which point Jiang Wen's words were interrupted.

Turning his head to look around, he noticed Chen An's arrival. "Oh, the investor is here, inspecting the site."

"I had to come and see. Both movies are finished, one foreign and one domestic. And you're still not done? Come and see what you're up to." Chen An joked with the other party.

The actor behind him who spoke first was Teruyuki Kagawa, who played Xiao Rizi. He immediately stood up, bowed to Chen An, and then spoke:

"Nice to meet you, Director Chen."

His tone was a little strange, but Chen An didn't seem to care. Instead, he pointed to himself with interest and asked, "You know me?"

"Hi, Director Chen, your film is very popular on Xiao Ri Zhi (a Chinese film channel). It's an honor to meet you!"

Perhaps due to his personal habits, Teruyuki Kagawa always speaks while standing ramrod straight, just like a soldier standing at attention.

"You're welcome," Chen An replied with a wave of his hand.

Turning to Gu Changwei sitting beside him, he smiled and said, "Senior brother, it's a pleasure to meet you. I originally wanted to collaborate with you, but unfortunately you're stuck here."

"I regret it too. I shouldn't have believed Jiang Wen's nonsense. This movie is going on and on, and it's even more difficult to handle than his previous movies," Gu Changwei said irritably from his chair.

(End of this chapter)