Chapter 705 Hidden Front
As we enter the twelfth month of the year, the temperature in Yanjing reaches the lowest point of the entire winter.
At this time, the crew of "Farewell My Concubine", which has been competing in the US award season for a month, has received good news. At the just-concluded 51st US Film and Television Golden Globe Awards, the domestic film "Farewell My Concubine" won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
When the news reached the country, the film industry was in an uproar and the people were delighted.
In recent years, the dissemination of information in the country is no longer as closed as it was in the early 1980s. Especially with the deliberate propaganda of many media, many ordinary people have some understanding of many things in foreign countries, especially in Western developed countries.
Compared with the three major European film festivals, the Golden Globe Awards is not very famous in China, but everyone knows that this award is as famous as the Academy Awards in the United States.
In the 1990s, the Soviet Union collapsed and the United States became the world's only superpower. For many Chinese people, the Academy Awards is a more authoritative and influential award than the three major European film festivals.
Throughout late January, domestic media reports were almost dominated by the news that "Farewell My Concubine" won the Golden Globe Award.
At the same time, many media and ordinary people discussed whether "Farewell My Concubine" could win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, which made the popularity of "Farewell My Concubine" remain high.
There is still half a month before the Academy Award nominations are announced, and nearly two months before the awards ceremony. "Farewell My Concubine" and everyone and everything related to this movie are surrounded by endless praise and discussion.
The novel "Farewell My Concubine" also set off a sales boom again, and the inventory was decreasing at a rate of 20,000 to 30,000 copies per day.
This situation exists not only in the country, but also in many foreign countries.
In terms of cultural influence, the United States is indeed the world's dominant country, especially in the 1990s.
Before the Chinese New Year, Lin Weimin finally completed the creation of "The Thirteenth Son of the South China Sea".
I conceived the idea of this novel in August, started writing it in September, and it has only just been completed.
The novel is basically based on the movie story, but the elements of the historical background are more prominent and the details are extremely vivid, which is inseparable from Lin Weimin's detailed early data collection.
After completing the novel, Lin Weimin handed it over to the editorial department of Contemporary Magazine.
Since the publication of Jingfu's "Bali Love and Hate" in the first half of 1993, "Contemporary" has been somewhat quiet for the past six months. It has not published any well-known and influential works, resulting in somewhat sluggish sales.
Lin Weimin's new work was completed and handed over to them, which immediately cheered up the somewhat depressed atmosphere in the editorial department and everyone rushed to circulate it.
After reading the manuscript, everyone's first feeling was that it seemed familiar.
Without any communication, everyone tacitly thought of one of Lin Weimin's representative works - "Farewell My Concubine".
These two novels do have similarities in subject matter, plot direction, and character creation.
They all feature opera characters from the opera world, all of whom are somewhat foolish. The historical background is that China was poor and weak and suffered from wars. The tragedy of the times is highlighted by the misfortunes of individuals.
But when you think about it carefully, the two works have nothing in common.
Cheng Dieyi in "Farewell My Concubine" is a crazy man who cannot live without being crazy. He is obsessed with drama and love all his life. Jiang Yuliu in "The Thirteenth Son of the South China Sea" is also a drama fanatic, but he has a strong sense of family and country.
"Weimin is becoming more and more sophisticated. Look at this sentence: The one who stole my left shoe was the British, and the one who stole my right shoe was the Mud-Hunter. They stole all the Chinese shoes. There is no way out. There is no way to go. There is no way out! With just one sentence, Jiang Yuliu's character is established."
Zhang Zhonge discussed this with Tong Zhonggui with some admiration.
“There are many characters that can be brought to life with just a few strokes of the pen. Take this passage about Tang Ti-sheng for example.
'I want to prove that articles have value! In another thirty or fifty years, no one will remember those stocks. Gold stocks and world events are all passing clouds. But a good play will still be appreciated by people fifty or a hundred years later. Even if I die, my name and my play will not be forgotten by anyone. This is called articles have value! '"
Tong Zhonggui recited the sentences in the novel and couldn't help getting excited. Only those who are engaged in creation can truly understand the spirit and value contained in these words.
He was speaking excitedly when Liu Yin interrupted him, "I told you two to stop here. There is only one copy of the manuscript. After you finish reading it, others will have to read it! You two are so good that you even started discussing it. Do you want me to pour you two a cup of tea and some snacks?"
Liu Yin mocked the two of them without any hesitation. Tong Zhonggui didn't dare to hold the manuscript anymore and handed it to Liu Yin, who happily flipped through it.
Zhang Zhonge continued to discuss with Tong Zhonggui, "Xiao Tong, which one do you think is better, this one or Farewell My Concubine? Which one is better?"
Tong Zhonggui laughed and said, "Teacher Zhang, you are setting a trap for me!"
"How can this be considered digging a hole? This is just a discussion between us!"
At this time, other people in the office were also interested in this topic and started to cheer: "Xiao Tong, tell us how you feel first, and then let Lao Zhang speak."
Zhang Zhonge pointed at Yao Shuzhi and said, "You are the worst!"
He added: "Forget it, let me speak first."
Then he pondered for a moment and said, "If we simply talk about the quality of the writing and the completeness of the story, I think the two are equally good. The advantage of Farewell My Concubine lies in the word 'spirit'. Weimin was only in his early twenties when he wrote this novel. Young people are full of talent and can express themselves freely. The character of Cheng Dieyi fully demonstrates this talent, which can be said to be perfect."
His comments were extremely accurate, and several colleagues nodded in agreement.
"As for "The Thirteenth Son of the South China Sea"..."
Zhang Zhonge pushed up his glasses and continued, "It is said that twelve years is a cycle, and also a century. Weimin's growth is also visible to the naked eye. His talent is still dazzling, but what is more unforgettable is the maturity and strength of his writing. The same subject matter and the same character attributes, but the character Jiang Yuliu is written with a completely different flavor from Cheng Dieyi."
"Cheng Dieyi's obsession is somewhat focused on the fate of the individual, but Jiang Yuliu's obsession perfectly integrates the fate of the individual with the honor and disgrace of the country and family. It is moving and touching!"
Literary criticism is not about lengthy speeches, but about precision. This is the case with Zhang Zhongye's evaluation. After listening to his evaluation of "The Thirteenth Son of the South China Sea", the two young editors in the office couldn't help but applaud.
Yao Shuzhi said, "Don't be fooled by this old fox. He talked for a long time but didn't say who is good and who is bad."
Everyone suddenly realized that it seemed to be true.
Zhang Zhonge shook his head and smiled bitterly: "You have a really good memory."
"Well, I think "The Thirteenth Son of the South China Sea" is slightly better. Weimin has grown up after all."
After he finished speaking, Tong Zhonggui also echoed: "I think so too. When I read "Nanhai Shisanlang", I somewhat jumped out of the editor's perspective and read it from the perspective of a creator. I think the creative techniques and thinking displayed by Mr. Lin in this novel are simple and unpretentious, and have completely reached the realm of returning to nature."
"Oh, oh, oh! You really are worthy of being your master's good disciple. You are just trying to flatter him. It's a pity that you are not here!" Yao Shuzhi teased.
Tong Zhonggui showed some embarrassment on his face, "I am telling the truth."
"Don't listen to her nonsense. Xiao Tong, you explained it very well. Weimin's creation this time has a sense of simplicity and simplicity."
He Qizhi stood at the door of the office at some point and expressed his support for Tong Zhonggui.
As he was talking, he walked into the office and said with a smile, "I heard you guys discussing the novel Wei Min right after I came in. What do you think? In addition to Xiao Tong's opinion, everyone can share their feelings. Let's discuss and verify each other's opinions."
Zou Changyi said: "In fact, I prefer "Farewell My Concubine". "The Thirteenth Son of the South China Sea" is not bad, but I think Weimin may have matured. His creation lacks the lawless energy of the past, and it is not exciting enough!"
"In the final analysis, it's still the youthful spirit. Old Zhang is right. Weimin was so young when he wrote Farewell My Concubine. He had just turned 20. At that time, his talent was so strong that nothing could stop him.
It’s different now. I know how to hide my shortcomings.
Although “The Thirteenth Son of the South China Sea” may seem harmonious and peaceful, it still has a sharp edge inside, and you have to peel it apart to see it.”
Zhu Changsheng spoke slowly, holding a teacup in his hand.
After everyone finished speaking, He Qizhi's smile widened. "It seems that everyone has a very high opinion of the novel "Nanhai Shisanlang"!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
He Qizhi added: "In that case, this novel will be published. The treatment will be the same as before. It will be published on the front page, in large font, and in one issue. Do you think it's feasible?"
When Lin Weimin was the editor-in-chief, like He Qizhi, he respected the opinions of his colleagues most of the time. However, when there were different opinions, he would still stick to his own ideas, and sometimes even acted arbitrarily regardless of opposition.
For example, when publishing "Ordinary World", most colleagues did not agree to give this novel high treatment, and some even disagreed to publish this novel, but Lin Weimin still decided to publish it.
He Qizhi is more peaceful than Lin Weimin. This peacefulness can be seen as democracy, or it can be seen as insufficient control over the editorial department.
"That's fine with me."
"No problem."
"I agree!"
Everyone expressed their opinions, except Liu Yin, who was reading the novel carefully. She said to He Qizhi in annoyance, "Can't you wait until I finish reading before asking for my opinion?"
He Qizhi smiled and said, "It was my mistake. You noticed that you haven't finished reviewing the manuscript yet, so you can take a look first."
Faced with this kind of scene, no one cared at all and had already gotten used to it.
There has never been any concept of superiors and subordinates in Contemporary magazine. The rise of this trend can be traced back to the editor-in-chief Lin Weimin.
When he was a junior editor-in-charge, he was very casual with Meng Weizai and Qin Chaoyang. When he became the editor-in-chief, he also did not have the official airs of an editor-in-chief. The atmosphere of the editorial department was developed bit by bit in this way.
After He Qizhi left, it was almost time to get off work, and everyone stopped discussing the novel and started discussing JZ's house building.
Housing has always been tight at Guowen Society, and although conditions have improved over the years, they are still very limited.
This time, the cooperative acquired a piece of land of more than 7,000 square meters. It is said that it will build five or six seven-story residential buildings for family members, with a total area of more than 20,000 square meters. It will not only easily solve the previous problems, but also provide a good environment for new people who will join the cooperative in the future.
"Young people today are living in a good time!" Zhu Changsheng sighed.
Thanks to book friend 20230825123551582 for the reward.
(End of this chapter)
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