Huayu: Enjoy Yourself

Chapter 97 "The Japanese Devils Are Coming"

"What do you want with me?" With the help of the staff, Chen An sat down on a chair and asked Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wenxian handed him a cigarette and said, "You're an investor, and you come to the filming location and you still have to ask me why I called you?"

"It's strange, isn't it? My company has been open for so long, but I'm the one who goes there the least."

"Besides, if I come here to give advice while you're making a movie, I'm just asking for trouble."

Chen An took the cigarette, put it in his mouth, lit it, and said.

My buddy is known for being a hands-off boss, and the boss is the most redundant person in the company.

"The movie is almost finished filming. I'd like you to come and take a look, see what your thoughts are, and I'd also like you to serve as the producer," Jiang Wen said after taking a puff of his cigarette.

Chen An was somewhat incredulous upon hearing his words. He pointed at him and then at himself, "You, Jiang Wen, came to me for your ideas and then asked me to be the producer of your Jiang Wen movie?"

After saying that, I was still a little confused. Is this some kind of nonsense?

"I'm sending the film to Cannes, and it's a co-production between domestic and international companies. With you involved, it will be easier to promote it on Xiao Ri Zi. You just saw how useful you are on Xiao Ri Zi."

Knowing that Chen An hadn't reacted yet, Jiang Wen explained.

I didn't approach Chen An to ask him to help me make a movie, since no one else could help me make a movie. My main goal was to have him serve as a producer.

He has plenty of ideas and confidence when it comes to making movies, but Chen An's name is more effective in distribution, especially in the film industry.

Ironically, "Devils on the Doorstep" was released on Sunday and even won the Best Foreign Language Film award at the Sunday Film Festival.

As for Cannes, Chen An was the youngest Best Director they ever nominated, making him undoubtedly one of Cannes's core members.

Moreover, Chen An is also one of the film's investors.

Chen An cleared his head and thought for a while before saying, "You could have just called me about this, why did you have to call me all this way?"

Chen An didn't care much about being the producer. He said, "If you need to put your name on the list, just say so. Why bother calling me all the way here?"

"The movie is almost finished filming. I called you and you said you had finished filming too, so I just came over here. I could help you out since you're free." Jiang Wen put his arm around Chen An's shoulder.

Chen An said irritably, "Who said nothing's wrong? I've been going to Uncle Ge's house these past two days. I didn't realize it while filming, but I found out something was wrong after filming was over. I'm a bit too immersed in the role to get out of it."

"What kind of script could make him turn out like this?" Jiang Wen was a little confused. Was this really true?

"A mentally ill person who is somewhat schizophrenic."

"How is he now?"

"I've felt much better these past two days thanks to Sister Cong's care. I was really scared at the time. I originally planned to pack up before leaving, but in the end I just grabbed the film and rushed back."

Chen An still feels a bit scared when he thinks about what happened back then, and he will try to film fewer mental patients in the future.

This is not only a challenge for the actors, but also a challenge for their own nerves.

"I'll go check it out when I get back. I'm almost done here too," Jiang Wen said, taking a puff of his cigarette and staring at Chen An.

It's like they're saying you're a real talent.

European media outlets often criticize Chinese-language films for lacking individuality.

Most of today's fifth-generation directors are like this.

Both Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, who are leading the team, are masters of visual composition and cinematic language.

The whole of East Asia was deeply influenced by Akira Kurosawa.

Jiang Wen, however, is an outlier. The claim that he lacks individuality is unfounded; his films are all about individuality.

Moreover, it's a feeling that hits you right in the face, accompanied by strong emotions.

However, there is also the influence of Akira Kurosawa, though he himself has not yet realized it.

His storyboarding is terrible, so bad that only he himself can understand it, but on set he can explain his ideas to everyone.

Everything can be arranged in a very orderly manner.

Jiang Wen, the lead actor, stood in front of the camera, while Chen An sat in his seat watching the filming.

This is the last segment. Since he was already there, Chen An naturally followed along and filmed the whole time. Observing Director Jiang Wen's methods was also beneficial.

The last shot of the entire film, shot on black and white film, shows Ma Dasan's head being chopped off, before switching to color film.

It was also the only color shot in the film, and then the movie came to an end.

"Great!" Chen An stood up and clapped, indicating that the filming was complete.

The movie ended with its final scene.

Jiang Wen also stood up, and the staff quickly untied him and pulled the towel off his mouth.

Jiang Wen stood up, clapped his hands, and then announced loudly, "Filming's wrapped!"

After all, he's the director, so he has to make the announcement.

The staff present all applauded in celebration.

Jiang Wen was quite happy, his face beaming with smiles, but Chen An thought he was getting too excited; the movie being finished didn't mean it was over.

As it was a large production crew, the staff on set had already prepared a wrap party, and everyone present got a glass and drank together.

However, Chen An, the outsider director, seems to be more popular than Jiang Wen, as the actors from those small days all approached him one after another.

They posed for a group photo taken by the film crew's professional photographer.

Everyone hopes for opportunities to collaborate, and Chen An mostly nodded in agreement to take photos, but said they would discuss the collaboration later.

Without a doubt, Chen An, whose three films were all highly successful, is currently the most well-known Chinese-language film director.

Chen An went to promote the latter two films, and with his youth and good looks, he still had considerable popularity.

"Are you coming with me or leaving tomorrow?" Jiang Wen, holding a glass of wine, walked over and asked after Chen An finished taking a photo.

Chen An thought for a moment and said, "Let's go together. It won't make a difference if we don't leave for a day or two. Uncle Ge called me yesterday."

"What did you say?"

"He scolded me for writing such a difficult script, and then told me to come to him again if I had a script."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Upon hearing Chen An's story, Jiang Wen couldn't help but burst into laughter. It had to be Ge You.

"Where are you going to take this movie? To Cannes with me next year?" Jiang Wen originally wanted to go to Venice, and the production schedule should be able to make it.

But after Chen An and Wong Kar-wai won the Best Director award at Cannes, he changed his mind and decided he wanted to go to Cannes too.

"I've been to Berlin, Cannes, and Venice, but I haven't been to this one yet."

"You think you're buying groceries? You have to browse every single one. Are you just watching because Gong Li is the jury chair next year?"

Chen An laughed without hiding his true feelings, "You noticed that. Of course I have to go and support Sister Gong Li as the first chairperson of the judging panel." There was nothing to hide.

It has already been reported that the other party will serve as the chairman of the jury next year, which is unique among Chinese filmmakers.

"Then I wish you good luck bringing back the Golden Bear Award." Jiang Wen clinked his glass with Chen An's and offered his congratulations in advance.

Chen An accepted the award without hesitation, though his expectations were not high. His opponent was "Magnolia Flower," and the one with the best chance of winning was Ge You, who was on the verge of mental illness.

He then congratulated the other party, saying, "Then I congratulate you on winning the second Palme d'Or for a Chinese-language film."

"Haha, that's what I think too." Jiang Wen didn't hide his thoughts; from the beginning, his goal was the Palme d'Or.

"I've read your script. The subject matter is severely restricted. You should tone it down a bit when you're editing and producing it. It wouldn't be good if it didn't pass the censors and caused delays." Seeing the other party's determined look, Chen An felt he should give a subtle hint.

Jiang Wen waved his hand, "It's not that serious."

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(End of this chapter)