Chapter 920 Arne Bogut's Regret

The Notebook is a love story set against the backdrop of World War II.

Its original theme of pure love seems somewhat outdated in today's bizarre and dazzling electronic age.

This was a viewpoint raised by someone during the production stage.

"In fact, it was originally a love story that happened in the past."

"Through a notebook, you can look at the love stories of men and women from the past."

At the production meeting, Lu Yanhe said, "There are two ways to shoot this film. One is a nostalgic, restoration-style approach, and the other is to shoot a story from the past in a modern way. Which one do you think is more suitable for this story and this theme?"

Such a choice doesn't actually require making a choice at all.

Because this is not a story suitable for modern times. In the modern context where people sleep with someone last week and may have already broken up this week, it is simply not believable that a man can wait for a woman for a lifetime.

"Where is the market for such a love story? In this fast-paced era, we still want to see pure love. Love will never be out of style. It needs to be far removed from our present time for us to trust the authenticity of the story. Yes, many people may say after watching the movie that it's not the kind of love that exists in this day and age. That's okay. It existed before, and that alone can offer comfort to many people, especially female viewers."

Lu Yanhe has a very clear vision for "The Notebook".

“No matter the era, there will always be an audience for moving content,” Lu Yanhe said. “The key is not whether you think the content is outdated, but whether you can find the points that attract and move people in this era. Rather than calling it a so-called romance film, I prefer to call this film a nostalgic film.”

Lu Yanhe himself had a great deal of say in the three films he produced with Soren.

In addition, the production cost of this film was not high.

Therefore, Soren ultimately respected Lu Yanhe's wishes completely.

To capitalize on the nostalgia theme—and not just attract young audiences to the theaters—Lu Yanhe suggested casting retired film stars to portray the older versions of the two main characters. After all, unlike in China, in Europe and America, middle-aged and elderly people constitute a significant portion of the moviegoers.

Finally, it was through Soren's connections that Claire Taylor and Glenn Rivers were invited, and it had nothing to do with Lu Yanhe. But if Lu Yanhe hadn't explicitly mentioned "nostalgia" and requested two superstars with global fame and influence, Soren wouldn't have gone to such lengths.

After its premiere at the Jose Film Festival, The Notebook received the expected feedback.

Critics generally rated the film as "well-made and competent, but somewhat clichéd overall," while media and audience reviews were very positive.

“Lu Yanhe wisely placed this story in the context of World War II, a period that is somewhat distant from us but not too far away. If it weren’t for this historical context, I believe the story would be 50% less persuasive.”

"Martin Dylan is very likely to solidify his position as a top Hollywood star with this film. It's easy to imagine how many female fans this movie will bring him. It's said that the role was originally tailor-made for Arne Bogut by Lu Yanhe, but unfortunately, for various reasons, Martin Dylan, the lucky one, ended up playing it. This young actor, whose industry attention was no less than Arne Bogut's, has previously focused on niche arthouse films. This is his first leading role in a mainstream commercial film. With such a slightly melancholic yet handsome face, and a character who is deeply devoted to love, Hollywood's young idol actors should be wary."

"After working with Lu Yanhe on 'The Mist,' Lily Williams became friends with him. It's well known that Lu Yanhe often prioritizes casting his friends in his scripts. This beautiful young woman delivered a stunning performance in the film, radiating youth, energy, vibrancy, and beauty. Her pairing with Martin Scorsese—a handsome poor boy and a beautiful rich girl—is arguably one of the most common pairings in film history. Yet, their performances in the film still make one believe in its authenticity, rather than just a cinematic setup. I can't help but wonder what genre Lily Williams and Lu Yanhe will collaborate on next. Will this screenwriter, who has helped many actors reach the pinnacle of their careers, bring Lily an Oscar?"

The main cast and crew attended the film's press conference together.

When Lily Williams and Martin Dylan, two of Hollywood's hottest idols, appeared, they were immediately greeted with cheers and screams from the media present.

I'm sorry, but although this is a stage for art films, the charm of movie stars still exists; they haven't simply disappeared.

For the media, this duo is definitely one of the most watched candidates of this year.

"This is a very rare love story film nowadays. I mean, a film that is entirely about love, and it's not even a comedy. In fact, the style is serious and nostalgic, like those classic films we are familiar with." The first reporter to ask a question stood up and asked, "This is something we used to see more often twenty or thirty years ago. Why would anyone make a film like this?"

Philip Carson, the director hired by Soren, glanced around before saying, "Let me answer. As everyone knows, this is a script written by the outstanding Lu Yanhe. When Soren approached me and gave me this script, he asked me how I would handle it if I were to direct the film, and what style it would be. What I said at the time was that the biggest characteristic of this story is that it doesn't focus on themes that current films would focus on, but it's not too far removed from us. For our generation, we actually watched a lot of movies about love when we were young. Although they have disappeared in recent years, they have shaped our imagination of love to a certain extent."

"Children today may find it hard to imagine loving only one person for a lifetime. Even my own children cannot understand this. But when we were young, movies and TV dramas actually expressed and portrayed this kind of love as faithful and unwavering."

"I said, if I were to direct this film, I would direct it in the style of twenty or thirty years ago, and earnestly tell the story of a couple in love who go from getting to know each other to separating, from reuniting to waiting for each other amidst the changing times."

"It doesn't need to be sentimental or embellished. It's like listening to an elder in your family tell a story from the past on a quiet afternoon. It should be filmed exactly as it was, without any modern embellishment. If you have to call it modern embellishment, it's that the camera will inevitably view a love story from that era through the lens of our time, and will unconsciously add a filter of time."

“Then, I was qualified to direct. The higher-ups at Soren told me that my interview video was sent to Lu Yanhe, who told Soren that my ideas were the most consistent with his when he was writing the script among all the interviewees. You can answer your question with this story.”

-

Arne Bogut felt a pang of unease seeing the buzz surrounding "The Notebook" at the Jose Film Festival.

He would have starred in this movie if his girlfriend hadn't objected to him continuing to play Lily Williams' love interest.

As a leading man in Hollywood, he needs more successful works to solidify his current status. Then, when he reaches a certain age and his acting skills have reached a certain level, he can compete for awards.

This is the path for male actors.

This is the path most male actors take.

If the golden age for actresses is from twenty to forty, then the golden age for actors often begins around thirty-five.

Too young, a hothead.

Even a genius like Lu Yanhe is limited by his age and can only play young roles that are not very popular in the mainstream film industry.

An analysis of the Oscar nominees for acting each year reveals that male actors nominated are generally over 35, or even over 40.

Only a very few exceptions, like Lu Yanhe, who encountered a perfect storm of favorable conditions—the right time, the right place, the right people—and the right awards season, can be considered exceptions.

Arne Bogut messaged Lu Yanhe, saying: "Although I knew I would regret not taking this movie, I didn't expect to regret it this much."

"Hey, Alne, what are you doing?"

Jenny came to his side and sat down next to him.

It's stuck on too tightly.

Alne shifted his position and said, "Just browsing my phone."

Jenny stuck to it again.

Her fingers gently caressed his chest.

He knew what she meant.

In the past, he would get excited with just a light stroking.

But this time, he felt nothing.

Arne stood up, turned around, and said, "Sorry, I have a phone call to make."

He saw the shock on Jenny's face.

But he ignored it and went to another room.

Jenny frowned.

-

Lu Yanhe received a message from Alne and replied: What are you doing now?

Arne then called.

“I’m on vacation in France.” After a pause, Arnaud added, “With Jenny. And you, are you still filming Men in Black?”

"Hmm," Lu Yanhe said, "Filming is wrapping up at the end of the month, and I have a lot of scenes to film lately."

"Are you available to call now?"

“It’s convenient now, but I could be called away at any time,” Lu Yanhe asked. “Have you seen the report on ‘The Notebook’?”

“Yes,” Arne Bogut said. “I haven’t been very satisfied with the scripts my agent has been sending me lately, which is probably why I’m even more frustrated and regretful.”

"So you haven't decided what movies or TV shows you'll be filming next?"

A rising A-list male star like Arne Bogut usually has a constant stream of acting offers, making it rare for him to experience a period without any roles.

Arne said, "Nothing is set yet. My agent asked me to take on a French film, but I declined."

Lu Yanhe also understood.

Hollywood's top stars rarely take on foreign films.

It's relatively rare to see Hollywood A-listers like Christian Bale and Matt Damon making movies in China.

Lu Yanhe said, "I don't have any suitable scripts for you at the moment, unless you're willing to play a supporting role."

“I’m not here to ask you for the script. I just saw the success of ‘The Notebook’ at the Jose Film Festival and I’d like to… talk to someone about it.” Arne Bogut’s voice sounded frustrated. “Over the past year, I’ve thought about the script from time to time. After all, I really intended to take the role, and I thought I could do a great job if I acted in it. It’s easy to feel depressed when I think about missing out.”

"If I told you that 'The Notebook' most likely won't bring the actors any acting awards, would that make you feel a little better?"

“No.” Arne laughed. “Forget it, don’t try to comfort me. I bet you weren’t happy about turning down this movie back then either.”

“Actually, if you miss it, you miss it. Missing one or two movies might be a pity in the short term, but as long as you continue to make good movies, the regret won’t be so great,” Lu Yanhe said. “Arne, you are still one of my few friends in Hollywood. Don’t let this become a rift between us.”

“Of course, Lu.”

Arne agreed to play the second lead in "Flypaper," a supporting role to Yan Liang, because he was giving Lu Yanhe face. Lu Yanhe naturally wouldn't hold a grudge against Arne for a single refusal.

Moreover, Arne refused because his girlfriend was jealous.

This reason is understandable to any man.

Lu Yanhe could easily imagine that one day he would refuse to star in a movie because of Chen Siqi's dissatisfaction.

Although it is very likely to become a regret.

Although Lu Yanhe believed that Chen Siqi would never do such a thing.

Lu Yanhe said, "Since you're on vacation with Jenny, you should rest well first. Believe me, there's no way you won't get good scripts in Hollywood. If you haven't gotten any good scripts for a while, it just means you're too picky about scripts. You need to reflect on yourself."

Arne Bogut laughed.

You actually want me to reflect on myself?

“Yes,” Lu Yanhe said. “Is it because of your aesthetic preferences that good scripts can’t be delivered to you? Is it because you told your agent that you only want to act in certain types of scripts, which limits the types of scripts that can be delivered to you?”

Arne Bogut suddenly stopped laughing.

Because Lu Yanhe was right.

Lu Yanhe said, "Arne, they're calling me. I have to hang up now. We'll talk again later."

"Okay, you go ahead and get back to work."

After hanging up the phone, Arne Bogut put down his phone, looked out the window, and fell into deep thought.

"Arne, what's wrong?" Jenny came over again, hugged him from behind, and asked softly.

“Jenny, I love you.” Arne’s voice returned to calm. “But I am an actor, and I can no longer reject scripts that involve emotional relationships or intimate scenes with women because of your jealousy.”

Jenny paused.

"If you can't accept that, we'll have to break up."

Arne Bogut turned around and saw that Jenny's beautiful eyes were filled with tears of grievance.

He cupped Jenny's face in his hands.

"Honey, you know, this is my job."

Jenny's tears streamed down her face. She opened her mouth, but then stopped herself from speaking.

Arne Bogut helped her wipe away her tears.

"Think about it."

After saying that, he removed Jenny's face and left.

(End of this chapter)