Chapter 391 Give the Young a Chance
Since May, the temperature in New York has been rising.
Lin Weimin has recently been concentrating on the creation of "The Kite Runner". Writing in English has greatly reduced his efficiency, which makes him a bit unworthy of the nickname of "quickshooter".
In addition to his creative work every day, he occasionally strolls in Central Park and goes to bookstores on the Upper West Side to buy books.
In less than half a month, the apartment was piled with books.
Arthur Miller was shocked when he saw this scene. "Lin, how many books did you buy?"
"I haven't counted them, probably hundreds of them! There are so many second-hand books in New York, it would be a shame not to buy some."
Arthur Miller smiled and said, "If I had known that you had a hobby of collecting second-hand books, I could have mailed some to you!"
"It's not a hobby, I just enjoy it. If you buy it, you can give it to your friends. It's a great way to save money!"
In the days before online shopping, buying books depended on going to bookstores, which was not easy.
The two chatted for a few minutes, and Lin Weimin gave the manuscript to Arthur Miller.
When the script of "The Horse-Trapping Man" was first written, it adopted the classical "three unities" structure, dividing the script into two parts, with a total of eight acts, with the breakup between Bayin and Bater as the midpoint.
When creating "The Kite Runner", Lin Weimin still follows this creative law and handed over the first four acts of the script to Arthur Miller.
Arthur Miller flipped through the script and sighed, "Lin, I really admire your creative efficiency."
It has only been ten days since Lin Weimin started writing The Kite Runner, and he has already written half of the script. So, the entire script took him only twenty days to complete.
Back then, Arthur Miller took six weeks to create "Death of a Salesman", which was already an astonishing speed, but it was not enough for Lin Weimin.
Arthur Miller didn't know that Lin Weimin could write even faster if he used his native Chinese.
The two discussed the newly completed script for a long time. Lin Weimin wrote in English, and there were many places that could not fully fit in with American culture. He had to strengthen communication with Arthur Miller. Only when the two reached a consensus on the creative concepts and intentions, would the subsequent polishing become a plus point. Otherwise, it would easily backfire.
While the two were talking, Inge Moras habitually took out his camera to take pictures.
"Mrs. Miller, if you keep shooting like this, you might run out of film!"
After discussing with Arthur Miller, Lin Weimin smiled and said something to Inge Moras.
Inge Moras smiled at him and said, "I learned a profound lesson from that night. Not only did I bring my camera with me, I also kept several rolls of film."
Arthur Miller and Lin Weimin both laughed.
Arthur Miller said, "Come on, Lin, let's have a meal together."
It's already past six in the afternoon, time for dinner.
"Okay!" Lin Weimin stood up and tidied himself up.
Several people came to the Green Garden Lounge, which is not only a place for Manhattan people to drink, but also a place for everyone to dine.
Surrounded by lush greenery, eating becomes a pleasant experience.
Arthur Miller and his wife talked about the free summer stage performances that will soon be opening in Central Park. There is still a month before summer in New York. With the support of the New York City government, Central Park will host a series of performances including music, dance, talk shows, and movies.
"It will definitely be very lively here then!" Lin Weimin said as he looked at the scenery outside.
Arthur Miller also said with a bit of pride, "This is probably the most charming thing about the Big Apple. Some people may think it is full of the smell of money, but there is always room for art here."
Lin Weimin agrees with this statement. At least in the Upper West Side, the artistic atmosphere is indeed very strong.
After dinner, it was already past nine o'clock in the evening. Arthur Miller and his wife said goodbye as they walked out of Central Park, chatting all the way.
When Lin Weimin returned to the apartment, Haili, a white girl at the front desk, called him.
"Mr. Lin, an international call just came into your room. This is how to call back." Hai Li handed over a note.
"Thanks!"
Lin Weimin took the note back to his apartment and called the number on it. After waiting for a long time for the transfer, the call was finally answered.
"Hello! Is this Teacher Lin?" A familiar voice came from the phone. It was Zhang Yimou.
"Yimou, why did you think of calling me?" Lin Weimin asked.
On the phone, Zhang Yimou's voice sounded a bit anxious and helpless.
"Teacher Lin, the factory doesn't agree with my career change to become a director!"
"Why?"
Hearing this question, Zhang Yimou's voice was filled with misery. "There is no reason. The studio said that as a photographer, you should just do your job as a photographer. Why would you want to be a director?"
From Zhang Yimou's retelling, Lin Weimin could hear the blow this simple sentence had on him.
If you are a photographer, you cannot be a director?
In later generations, people would sneer at this, but at this time, it is the general mentality of most people.
The screw spirit is something that everyone has been taught for decades and has been deeply rooted in the minds and souls of many people.
The studio may not have any dissatisfaction with Zhang Yimou, but simply out of simple ideas, they do not agree with Zhang Yimou being a director.
How can you be a director when you are a photographer?
It's a very simple sentence, but when it comes to Zhang Yimou, it feels like a mountain.
Zhang Yimou complained to Lin Weimin on the phone again. Not only did the studio oppose his idea of changing careers to become a director, but his family, friends, and colleagues were also not optimistic about his decision.
This is what makes Zhang Yimou most uncomfortable, as if the ending of his life is already determined.
"Teacher Lin, just because I'm a photographer means I can't be a director? Who isn't born to be a director?" Zhang Yimou's tone was filled with resentment and dissatisfaction.
Lin Weimin comforted him, "Of course you can be a director. The study at Yanying, the training at the studio and the crew, these are the foundation for you to be a director."
"But why don't they agree? It's as if I've done something outrageous to be a director!"
"We Chinese are conservative at heart. Decades of collective education have made us wary of pursuing individuality, so if you want to break the rules, you will definitely need more courage and more resolute action than others."
Lin Weimin's persuasion made Zhang Yimou feel much more at ease.
He thought of the expensive long-distance call charges and did not dare to express his emotions anymore, but instead expressed his desire to seek help.
"Teacher Lin, can you think of a way to help me?" Zhang Yimou asked with a pleading tone.
When writing the script for Red Sorghum, Lin Weimin promised Zhang Yimou that he would provide help if necessary.
Lin Weimin joked on the phone: "I guess you're here to collect your debt this time!"
"Teacher Lin, that's not what I meant..." Zhang Yimou explained hurriedly on the phone.
"I know, I know." Lin Weimin interrupted Zhang Yimou's explanation and said with a smile: "I am optimistic about your career change to become a director. I have already considered this situation before. Let me make a phone call to confirm and see if I can help you solve the problem. Don't leave the phone. I will call you when I have the result."
Zhang Yimou finally breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, and said, "Okay, I'll wait for your news."
——
At the NN City Telecommunications Bureau, Zhang Yimou had just put down the phone when he heard the staff's call.
"Phone booth No. 2, pay another 30 yuan!"
Zhang Yimou's face twitched. He had just paid a deposit of 50 yuan!
He took out three more big unity notes from his pocket with a distressed look and gave them to the staff, and made a phone call which cost him 80 yuan!
Zhang Yimou began to regret not being able to control his emotions and the complaints he made on the phone.
It was too expensive. I spent at least forty dollars more.
Don’t be so willful in the future!
"Comrade, I may have to answer the phone later..."
Before Zhang Yimou could finish his words, a staff member pointed at him and said, "Go wait over there. There will be a phone call for you!"
"Okay, thank you!"
Zhang Yimou sat on a chair not far from the telephone booth, his eyes never leaving the booth.
Since returning to the factory in April, he has been communicating with the factory about becoming a director and filming "Red Sorghum".
Unfortunately, no one supported him, whether it was the factory leaders or his family or colleagues.
There was another thing that made him even more upset, but Zhang Yimou didn't mention it.
Not only did the factory leaders not support his idea of becoming a director, they also asked him to help Cheng Kaige's crew who were busy with the movie "The Grand Parade".
This made Zhang Yimou even more uncomfortable.
They are all classmates. Cheng Kaige became a director right after graduation, and Zhang Yimou is not jealous.
But I have made a few movies and performed pretty well. Why is it so difficult for me to be a director?
During this period, Zhang Yimou had no one to vent his inner distress and worries. After holding it in for more than half a month, he really had no other choice. Thinking of what Lin Weimin had said before, he thought about calling him for help. Unexpectedly, Teacher Lin had gone abroad.
Zhang Yimou got Teacher Lin's contact information abroad, and he hesitated for two days just considering whether to make the call.
International long distance calls are damn expensive!
Twenty yuan a minute, just a few minutes of phone calls, and a month's salary goes into it. If he can't find Teacher Lin, or if Teacher Lin can't help, then he will lose a lot!
But waiting like this is not a solution. The factory will not make any changes just because of my waiting.
After much deliberation, Zhang Yimou hardened his heart and went to the telecommunications bureau.
Now, the phone call has been made and Teacher Lin has agreed to help. It’s up to Teacher Lin now.
Zhang Yimou looked at the telephone booth, but his mind couldn't help but let go.
Can I be this director?
——
"Yes! You know Yimou. He is very talented in the field of film!"
"He's a generalist. It's a waste for him to be just a photographer!"
"Didn't I arrange this matter? I was the one who contacted Yimou with Moyan, so I can't just ignore it, right?"
"Yes. You have also worked with Yimou before. He is such a reliable person. Give the young man a chance."
"Okay, okay, that's it. I'll let him contact you."
"Oh, thank you so much! My dear brother Tianming, I will treat you to a meal when I return to my country!"
Lin Weimin hung up the phone again. The call he just made was to Wu Tianming, the director of Xi'an Film Studio.
Zhang Yimou’s later transformation from an ordinary photographer to an actor and director was inseparable from Wu Tianming’s appreciation.
This time when Zhang Yimou came to Lin Weimin for help, the first person he thought of who could help Zhang Yimou was Wu Tianming.
Lin Weimin didn't have to spend much time talking. Wu Tianming had always admired Zhang Yimou, so after chatting for a while, Wu Tianming agreed to let Lin Weimin help Zhang Yimou.
——
At the NN City Telecommunications Bureau, a rapid telephone ring rang.
Zhang Yimou stood up instinctively. There were very few incoming calls in the phone booth, most of them were outgoing calls. His eyes were fixed on the staff who answered the phone.
The staff member said a few words and then raised his head, scanning the hall and finally locking his eyes on him.
The two looked at each other. "Hey, it's you, right? Your name is Zhang Yimou, right? Your phone number."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Zhang Yimou trotted to the phone booth and answered the phone.
"Hey, Yimou!"
"Teacher Lin, it's me."
"I just talked to Director Wu. Xi'an Film Studio is interested in investing in your film Red Sorghum. Please take the script to Xi'an as soon as possible to show Director Wu."
Zhang Yimou was overjoyed by Lin Weimin's words. He was so excited that he shouted at the top of his voice, "Teacher Lin, thank you so much!"
"Okay, don't get excited. Director Wu also needs to read the script first and test you. You have to be prepared." Lin Weimin reminded.
"No problem! No problem! As long as I can film Red Sorghum, any exam is fine!"
Zhang Yimou was so excited that he forgot himself and said again: "Teacher Lin, thank you so much this time. Without you, I really don't know what I would do!"
"Okay, don't say that. Director Wu was very optimistic about you. I just mentioned it this time and he immediately became interested. This proves that your previous cooperation with others was impressive."
Zhang Yimou listened to Lin Weimin's voice on the phone, and his eyes couldn't help but become moist.
Teacher Lin is always so humble. It is obvious that all these things were made possible by him, but he is always so modest.
(End of this chapter)
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