Chapter 413: Can you blame me for looking like this?
The pseudo-literary salon at the Yanjing Hotel was very successful, at least that's what Teng Jinxian thought.
But Lin Weimin estimated that several other senior colleagues who attended the salon might not be very happy, because when Bertolucci saw him, he was like a cat seeing a fish.
He held on to me and kept talking about the script, and didn't say a word to anyone else the whole evening.
Lin Weimin certainly did not disappoint Teng Jinxian's high hopes, and he used that night to completely confuse the Communist Party member Lao Bei.
After the literary salon ended, the film project "The Last Emperor" was officially launched.
After the news came out, it quickly caused a sensation in the domestic film industry.
Although Bertolucci is only in his forties this year, his fame in the international film industry can be traced back to the 1960s.
In 1962, he directed his first film, Death, and began his directorial career. In 1969, he co-directed the short film collection Love and Anger with Marco Bellocchio, Pasolini, Godard and Carlo Rizzani, which was nominated for the Golden Bear Award at the 19th Berlin Film Festival.
In 1970, he directed the war film "The Go-With" starring Jean-Louis Trintignant and Stephania Sandrelli, which was nominated for the Golden Bear Award at the 20th Berlin Film Festival.
In 1972, he directed the romantic film "Last Tango in Paris", starring Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider and others. With this film, he was nominated for Best Director at the 46th Academy Awards and the Best Director at the 31st Golden Globe Awards.
In 1981, he directed the feature film "The Tragedy of a Ridiculous Person", starring Ugo Tognazzi and Anouk Aimée, which was nominated for the Palme d'Or in the main competition unit of the 34th Cannes Film Festival.
In 1983, he served as chairman of the main competition jury of the 43rd Venice Film Festival.
After more than 20 years in the film industry, Bertolucci has become one of the top directors in Italy and has also established his own position in the international arena.
You know, when Bertolucci became famous, the fifth generation of domestic directors had not even gone to school, and the fourth generation of directors were also wasting their time.
Right now, like thunder, the news that Bertolucci, the great director from Italy, is about to shoot a movie in China, and everyone who has anything to do with the film industry is excited, especially the actors.
Since the reform and opening up, the domestic literary and art circles have always been the spread of Western learning to the East. When people look at various art works from European and American countries, they often have a halo of their own.
In the first few years, there was a "going abroad trend", Chen Chong, Yang Hailian, Zhang Yu, Chen Ye, Gong Xue...
Countless movie stars, one after another, rushed to the holy land of art and the country of freedom that they longed for in their hearts.
Now, an internationally renowned director actually came to my doorstep to make a movie. Isn't this walking into trouble?
Since it is a movie about China, it is inevitable to use Chinese actors. Isn't this everyone's chance?
Many people couldn't help but gloat when they got the news. In the past few years, those movie stars ran away one by one, all wanting to become international stars.
What’s going on now? Big directors are coming to our doorstep to make movies, and domestic actors have the opportunity to become international stars.
It was with this mentality that Liu Xiaoqing found Tao Huimin, who was in the same crew as her, and asked for help from Lin Weimin.
Tuanjiehu Apartment.
Tao Huimin led Liu Xiaoqing into the door, with a tail following behind them.
When Lin Weimin saw Jiang Wen following Liu Xiaoqing, he couldn't help but look strange.
"Teacher Lin!" Liu Xiaoqing greeted Lin Weimin with a smile.
"Hello, Teacher Lin!" Jiang Wen greeted obediently.
At this time, "Furong Town" has not been released yet, and Jiang Wen has no representative works. He is just an ordinary little actor. Following Liu Xiaoqing, if it weren't for his poor image, he would have been called a pretty boy.
Today he knew that Liu Xiaoqing was coming to ask Lin Weimin for help, so he volunteered to come.
He had known Lin Weimin when he was in college, and with Lin Weimin's authorization, he made a student version of "Farewell My Concubine", which was very popular among major universities in Yenching.
Although we are not acquaintances, we can at least talk to each other when we meet.
Recently, the Yanying version of "Dream of Red Mansions" has just started filming. Tao Huimin ended her intensive training and moved from the guesthouse to the Tuanjiehu Apartment. Now she returns to the apartment after finishing filming every day.
Lin Weimin had just finished cooking and said with a smile, "Wait a moment, I'll make one more dish."
He prepared dinner for two.
Liu Xiaoqing hurriedly said, "Teacher Lin, no need, no need, we have already eaten."
She didn't come here to eat today.
If you count it up, Liu Xiaoqing and Lin Weimin have known each other for several years, but they are basically just nodding acquaintances and they rarely say a few words every time they meet.
She had a deep impression of how Song Huaigui ate in front of Lin Weimin at Maxim's Western Restaurant.
I know that this guy looks easygoing, but actually he has a bad temper. Most importantly, he doesn't care about the ways of the world.
Liu Xiaoqing didn't even dare to bring gifts to the door, let alone offer to treat everyone to a meal. She just sat obediently in the living room for more than half an hour.
After Lin Weimin and Tao Huimin finished dinner and walked into the living room, she stood up and said, "Teacher Lin!"
Jiang Wen also sat in the living room for more than half an hour, and his initial mentality of "meeting an acquaintance" became nervous.
He used to be a student in school and never realized the gap in status between him and Lin Weimin.
After waiting for more than half an hour today, he finally understood.
Seeing Liu Xiaoqing stand up, he also stood up.
"Sit down!" Lin Weimin waved his hand.
Lin Weimin knew clearly the purpose of Liu Xiaoqing's visit, and he said straight to the point: "Just tell me what you want to say."
Liu Xiaoqing and Jiang Wen looked at each other, then smiled and said, "Then I'll be frank. Jiang Wen and I know each other, and we're both actors. We've heard that director Bertolucci is going to make a movie in China. We also heard that you're the screenwriter of the movie, so we wanted to come and ask you about the movie."
When Jiang Wen heard what Liu Xiaoqing said, he was surprised. He came here today intending to say a few words on behalf of Liu Xiaoqing, but he didn't expect that she would speak first.
If this gets out, won't my reputation as a pretty boy be confirmed?
A thought flashed through Jiang Wen's mind. Without thinking about it carefully, he stared at Lin Weimin, observing his reaction.
“The movie is indeed going to be filmed, and the screenwriter is not only me, but also Director Teng.
Director Bertolucci is currently waiting for investment. The investment scale of this film will not be small, and they plan to attract some investment from Hollywood. "
Liu Xiaoqing couldn't help but feel excited when she heard what Lin Weimin said, because this was first-hand information.
Not only does she have a big director like Bertolucci, but she also has Hollywood funding. If she can play the leading role, won't she be a guaranteed international star?
"Teacher Lin, when will the filming of this movie start? Have the actors been decided?"
There is a strong ambition and desire hidden in Liu Xiaoqing's eyes.
Lin Weimin asked bluntly: "Do you want to play the leading female role?"
Liu Xiaoqing hesitated for a moment, then nodded quickly and said, "Who wouldn't want to act in a movie like this?"
Lin Weimin nodded slightly, "That's right!"
After saying this, he fell silent.
Liu Xiaoqing looked a little nervous, not knowing what he meant.
After a moment, Lin Weimin spoke up, "According to Director Bertolucci's idea, the male and female protagonists of this film will be Asian actors with Hollywood backgrounds."
Hollywood? Asian?
When Liu Xiaoqing heard these two requests, she felt desperate.
It is true that she has a great reputation in China, and she is even well-known in Hong Kong for starring in "The Last Emperor" and "The Burning of the Summer Palace".
But when it comes to Hollywood, Liu Xiaoqing really has no confidence.
At this moment, she felt extremely regretful. Perhaps she should have chosen to go abroad and make her career in Hollywood like Chen Chong did.
"Does it have to be an actor from Hollywood?" Liu Xiaoqing asked with a glimmer of hope.
"That should be the case. After all, this film needs to attract investment from Hollywood, and many of the countries it will be distributed in are English-speaking countries."
Lin Weimin's words made Liu Xiaoqing's heart sink completely.
That meant she was completely hopeless.
Not only her, it can be said that all domestic actors have no hope.
It's a pity that before she came, I was still thinking that Chen Chong's going to the United States to live was like losing the watermelon to pick up sesame seeds.
Who could have imagined!
Liu Xiaoqing felt bitter inside.
"but……"
Liu Xiaoqing's depressed mood was quickly aroused by these two short words. She suddenly raised her head and looked at Lin Weimin, her face full of tension and uneasiness.
"Director Teng and I are also trying to persuade director Bertolucci. It would be a bit unreasonable if a movie about Chinese people didn't have a Chinese actor in the leading role."
Lin Weimin's words were like a flame that ignited hope in Liu Xiaoqing's eyes.
"Then, did Director Bertolucci agree?"
Lin Weimin shook his head.
Liu Xiaoqing's heart sank to the bottom again.
"He hasn't decided yet. After all, the film has just been approved and the investment has not yet been received, so there is no rush to make a decision on the actors."
Liu Xiaoqing couldn't help but blame Lin Weimin in her heart, "If it's not decided, then it's not decided. What do you mean by shaking your head? I thought they didn't agree!"
Even as she thought this in her heart, her expression was extremely excited. "So, we still have a chance?"
"In theory, yes."
Lin Weimin was not telling the truth. Under his persuasion, Bertolucci had actually agreed to choose a Chinese actor as the male and female protagonists of the film.
But whether it is a male actor or a female actor depends on the suitability of the final casting.
Bertolucci also put forward a requirement, that is, the actors' English dialogue ability must meet the standards of on-site filming and recording.
After all, if the movie "The Last Emperor" is ever made, it will definitely be based on the English dialogue version.
Lin Weimin and Teng Jinxian kept this news secret and did not tell anyone.
They both knew that for domestic actors, the leading role in the movie "The Last Emperor" was like a demon meeting Tang Sanzang, and they had to do everything they could to get a taste of him.
If they really knew this news, Lin Weimin and Teng Jinxian would not be able to expect a peaceful life for more than half a year.
Today, Liu Xiaoqing came to inquire about the news, and Lin Weimin deliberately spoke ambiguously, just as a favor.
Because whether in terms of acting skills, image or popularity, Liu Xiaoqing can fully compete for the role of "Wanrong".
Previously, Lin Weimin and Teng Jinxian were chatting and talking about the selection of actors.
The first actress candidate mentioned by Teng Jinxian was Liu Xiaoqing, and others included Chen Chong, Fang Shu and others.
It can be said that Liu Xiaoqing can be said to represent Chinese film actresses in the 1980s to a large extent.
Lin Weimin's ambiguous answer did not discourage Liu Xiaoqing. She said thankfully, "It's good to have a chance! It's good to have a chance!"
After a while, she said with gratitude: "Teacher Lin, thank you so much today."
Lin Weimin said: "I didn't help at all."
"Your few words have helped me a lot. I..."
Lin Weimin waved his hand and interrupted Liu Xiaoqing.
"It's meaningless to say all this. If you really want to thank me, it won't be too late to thank me after you get the role."
Liu Xiaoqing nodded.
After talking about the role, Liu Xiaoqing asked Lin Weimin about the content of the script, saying that the more preparation the better.
The script of "The Last Emperor" was no secret. Many people attended the literary salon that day and knew something about it, but not as well as screenwriter Lin Weimin did.
Liu Xiaoqing asked: "From your perspective as a screenwriter, do Jiang Wen'er and I fit in well?"
Liu Xiaoqing's words silenced Lin Weimin. Just talk about yourself, why bring Jiang Wen into the picture?
“I can’t say who fits the character profile of the script, but I know who definitely doesn’t fit the character profile of the script.”
"Who?" Jiang Wen asked in a mean voice.
Lin Weimin glanced at him and said nothing.
It turns out that words are never the most hurtful.
Jiang Wen was broken by Teacher Lin's eyes and said aggrievedly: "Teacher Lin, am I so bad in your heart?"
Lin Weimin said in a gentle voice: "It has nothing to do with whether it is the same or not."
Jiang Wen felt a little better after hearing this.
"It's just a question of appearance. How does your image resemble Puyi?"
Jiang Wen looked at Lin Weimin with tears in his eyes and asked, "Can't you be more polite with your words?"
Is it my fault that I look like this?
(End of this chapter)
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