Chapter 511 Good News
In terms of seniority in the film industry, Chen Chong became famous much earlier than Gong Li, and the popularity of "Little Flower" even surpassed "Red Sorghum", which made Gong Li famous.
But the reality is that Chen Chong gave up her bright future in China and came to the United States to study. Now she is just a nobody in the United States. After so many years away, it is impossible for her to easily return to China and start over.
In contrast, Gong Li starred in "Red Sorghum" at a young age and before she graduated, becoming the heroine of the Berlin Golden Bear Award-winning film. She also starred in "The Last Emperor" and became the heroine of the Oscar-winning Best Picture, becoming an international actress.
How could Chen Chong not be envious of such a dreamy acting career?
The biggest driving force behind Gong Li's meteoric rise to international fame was undoubtedly Lin Weimin.
It is no news in the country that Lin Weimin is Zhang Yimou's mentor in the film industry.
Chen Chong also heard that when Zhang Yimou was choosing the female lead for "Red Sorghum", his favorite was actually Shi Ke from the Central Academy of Drama, and it was Lin Weimin who chose Gong Li for Zhang Yimou.
Chen Chong had to admit that Lin Weimin's eyes were very sharp and Gong Li's performance in "Red Sorghum" was indeed amazing.
Needless to say, when it came to "The Last Emperor", Chen Chong now recalls that the reason Gong Li was chosen as the leading actress was almost 100% because "Red Sorghum" won the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival. Gong Li, as the leading actress, could bring buzz to the film and she herself fit the role in the film, so the film crew had no reason not to use her.
All these things made Chen Chong completely understand that Lin Weimin was a golden thigh that could not be any thicker.
This is not only true in the domestic film industry, but also in Hollywood.
If his works can make Gong Li an international actress, then he can also make himself an international star. The only difference is whether he can get the role in one of his movies.
This is the biggest reason why Chen Chong stayed on Broadway after returning from China and never went to Hollywood to make a living.
If she could find an opportunity here with Lin Weimin, it would probably be more useful than spending a few years in Hollywood.
Chen Chong's thoughts were just changing in a flash, and Lin Weimin only had time to exchange a few words with her before Arthur Miller solemnly pulled over a young blonde girl.
"Lin, this is my daughter Rebecca, she graduated from Yale University's Department of Art and is now an actress."
Arthur Miller could not hide his pride when he introduced his daughter.
Rebecca Miller flew back from Los Angeles today specifically to attend this dinner. She has always been interested in her father's friend Lin Weimin. She has also read a lot of his works in the past two years and has become more appreciative of him.
Rebecca Miller's eyes were shining as she looked at Lin Weimin, which made Tao Huimin beside her subconsciously alert.
Lin Weimin recognized Rebecca Miller through his later memories. She later acted in many Hollywood movies, including "Midnight Love," "Lost," "The Love Ballad of Jack and Rose," etc.
However, she is best known to movie fans for another identity: she is the wife of British actor Daniel Day-Lewis.
After getting to know the guests, the dinner began and everyone ate and chatted.
Lin Weimin is the protagonist of tonight's dinner, so the topic naturally revolves around him. Compared to the first time he came to the United States, there are now too many topics about Lin Weimin that are worth talking about.
"I heard Steven took on your movie adaptation of The Intouchables?" Rex Reed asked.
The filming of "The Intouchables" is no secret in Hollywood. Countless media, peers and audiences are paying attention to Spielberg's latest work. Rex Reed is just stirring up the topic.
"Yes. This is all thanks to producer Mr. Phillips. He has a good personal relationship with Mr. Spielberg." Lin Weimin said.
"I heard that Steven also got the copyright of your book "Life is Beautiful Anyway." Rex Reed asked tentatively.
Compared to the start of filming of "The Intouchables", Spielberg's acquisition of the copyright of "Life is Beautiful" was much more secretive. Rex Reed was able to know this news because he was obviously paying attention to this matter.
"You are really well-informed." Lin Weimin said.
Not denying means a positive answer.
When Rex Reed got this answer, he exclaimed, "Lin, I'm afraid your work will sweep the Oscars again!"
"The movie hasn't been made yet! Mr. Reed, your prediction is too advanced!" Lin Weimin said with a smile.
"No, no, no, this is not a prediction, but an analysis." Rex Reed shook his head and denied Lin Weimin's words. He continued, "I've seen your film, Life Is Beautiful. It's very well written and very much in line with the Oscars' taste. As long as Steven performs normally, it will be hard to avoid winning the award."
At this point, he paused and said, "Come to think of it, I've actually seen the current play 'The Intouchables'. It might win a few awards."
Following Rex Reed's topic, the two naturally talked about the Academy Awards, the highest award in the American film industry.
For senior producers like Rex Reed who have been working in Hollywood for many years, the Oscars they see are completely different from those seen by ordinary Americans and foreigners. There is less of the unattainable mystery, and more of the intrigues and scheming during public relations.
Rex Reed revealed some Oscar secrets at the dinner, leaving several guests who had little contact with Hollywood dumbfounded.
Chen Chong was deeply shocked when she heard this information, and at the same time, she became more determined to cling to Lin Weimin.
If she really relies on herself, when will she be able to make a name for herself in such a big melting pot as Hollywood?
The dinner ended in a happy atmosphere.
After Arthur Miller's welcome dinner, Lin Weimin brought Tao Huimin to Broadway the next evening.
"The Kite Runner" is being performed at the Nederlander Theater at 208 West 41st Street. It has been two years now and the play has gradually passed its peak.
"I've seen many of your plays performed by the National Theatre of China in the past, but this is the first time I've seen it performed abroad." Tao Huimin said, looking at the ticket in her hand.
"The plots are basically the same, the only difference is the language and the actors."
Today's tickets were specially prepared by Arthur Miller for Lin Weimin. His work has been performed in the United States for two years, but Lin Weimin, the original screenwriter, has never seen it. Now that he has come to the United States, he naturally wants to make up for this regret.
The two of them were now sitting in the best seats in the theater. Audiences were coming in one after another around them. It was the first time that Tao Huimin truly felt the influence of Lin Weimin's works in the United States.
“So many people came to see your play!”
"Broadway is the headquarters of American drama, so of course there are many audiences here."
The two chatted casually, and after a while, the stage curtain opened and the performance officially began.
Tao Huimin's English was not very good, so Lin Weimin translated the plot for her from time to time.
"Hey, that's Chen Chong, right?" Tao Huimin pointed at an actor on the stage and whispered in surprise. She and Chen Chong had just met yesterday, and seeing them again on a stage in a foreign country today gave her an inexplicable sense of surprise.
"It's her."
The two spoke in low voices, for fear of disturbing the people around them.
After more than two hours, the performance officially ended. The audience in the theater burst into warm applause, and the actors returned to the stage one by one to take their curtain calls.
Just then, Arthur Miller walked onto the stage.
"Dear gentlemen and ladies, hello, welcome to the Nederlander Theater tonight to enjoy The Kite Runner. I am one of the writers of this play, Arthur Miller!"
The applause from the audience reached a climax.
Arthur Miller is a leading figure in the American theater world. The audience is naturally familiar with him, and many people come to watch this play just for his name.
"As we all know, The Kite Runner is adapted from the work of Chinese writer Lin Weimin."
Having said this, Arthur Miller paused and then raised his voice a little.
"Today, on the occasion of the 900th performance of The Kite Runner, Mr. Lin Weimin, the original author and screenwriter, came to the Nederlander Theater. Let us welcome him with the warmest applause!"
Arthur Miller said this and applauded. The applause in the theater became even louder. The audience was surprised by this Easter egg at the curtain call today.
Lin Weimin was also surprised. He didn't expect that there would be such a play at the Netherlands Theater today.
Although he was surprised, he did not hesitate and walked onto the stage from the audience to thunderous applause.
Many audience members today were surprised to see such a young Lin Weimin on the stage.
In recent years, Lin Weimin's works have become increasingly visible in the United States, and his fame as an author and screenwriter has also grown day by day. He is no longer the unknown figure he was when he came to the United States a few years ago.
National Book Critics Circle Award, Tony Award, Prix Goncourt, Academy Award…
Amidst round after round of media reports, more and more American readers and viewers have a deeper and deeper impression of Lin Weimin, a writer from China.
Under the stage, the audience applauded for a long time.
"Thank you, thank you everyone!" Lin Weimin bowed to everyone. As he spoke, the applause began to subside.
Lin Weimin went on to say: "Mr. Arthur Miller and I are close friends regardless of age. I am honored that he has brought my works to the Broadway stage, and even more honored that they are loved by the audience. Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Arthur Miller. Without him, I think my works would not be seen by so many audiences, and I would not have received so many honors!"
Arthur Miller couldn't help but hug Lin Weimin. Over the years, the two have always collaborated seamlessly, which is an extremely rare harmony in Arthur Miller's decades of drama creation career.
The applause from the audience became even louder, as this is the kind of show the audience loves to watch the most.
Arthur Miller whispered to Lin Weimin: "Lin, can I announce the good news here?"
Lin Weimin smiled and gestured to him.
Arthur Miller suppressed his inner excitement and spoke again.
"In 1983, I was invited by the famous Chinese playwright Wan Jiabao to visit China, where I met Lin and also appreciated an outstanding drama, which marked the beginning of my cooperation with Lin.
From "The Intouchables" to "The Kite Runner", our cooperation has achieved great success, which has also strengthened our belief in continuing the cooperation.
Over the years, I have held that outstanding play close to my heart.
Today, here, on the stage of the Nederlander Theater, I would like to solemnly announce a good news to you all.
Lin has agreed to bring his outstanding work, Farewell My Concubine, to the Broadway stage. In the near future, the audience will be able to enjoy this wonderful work of art on Broadway!"
After Arthur Miller announced the news passionately, the audience was silent for a moment, and then burst into applause again, echoing throughout the theater.
I took my kids out to play, so I’ll only update twice today.
(End of this chapter)
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