Chapter 832 Beginning
[Beginning] is a time-loop TV series adapted from the novel of the same name by Qiyuanjun.
It tells the story of game architect "Xiao Heyun" and college student "Li Shiqing" who "came back to life" after a bus explosion, and constantly experienced time loops during the period of the bus accident, trying to prevent the explosion and find the truth.
Movies with time loop themes are not uncommon abroad. "Groundhog Night", "Source Code", "The Line", and "Edge of Tomorrow" are all excellent works on this theme.
However, this theme is rare in domestic dramas, and the filming of "The Beginning" is a very novel attempt.
At the beginning of the story, the heroine first "awakens" on the bus. According to her memory, the No. 45 bus she was riding had exploded. As a result, a strong light flashed, and accompanied by severe pain, she returned to the time when she first got on the bus.
She then managed to escape from the bus, only to have to go through the whole process again.
However, she soon discovered that the male protagonist had also "awakened" and had memories of the previous bus explosion.
After the two communicated with each other and experienced several explosions together, they found that they could not escape the time loop no matter what, so they began to look for the real cause of the bus explosion.
Because of the time loop, they can obtain new clues through repeated attempts and actions, and each cycle accumulates more information and clues for their cognition and reasoning.
Repeating the story in limited time and space, the protagonists take different actions, which will lead to different possibilities.
They obtain more and more information, getting closer and closer to the truth, and moving towards the end of the cycle.
As the two searched for the bomb carrier, the backgrounds of the various characters in the car gradually unfolded as branches in the play:
Old Ma, holding a snakeskin bag and looking nervous, was imprisoned for many years for hit-and-run. After being released from prison, he returned to his hometown to grow melons. He hadn't seen his son for many years and came to this city for the first time to give his son a watermelon.
Lao Jiao, who was carrying a suitcase, had a daughter who was in high school. Work was suspended due to an accident at the construction site, and he was driven out of the rented garage due to a fire inspection. He didn't know where to go with his luggage. When he heard from his coworkers that they could get a bonus for being brave, he tried his best to help the protagonists subdue the murderer.
There is also a middle school boy who rescues stray cats, the internet celebrity Happy Brother who broadcasts live and shoots short videos at any time, an enthusiastic aunt who carries various medicines with her, and a muscular man who listens to music with headphones.
Finally, there are two villains that no one expected: a strange aunt in a gray suit who gets on the bus with a pressure cooker, and a bus driver who looks honest and kind but is actually very secretive.
The essence and excellence of [Beginning] actually lies in the portrayal of these characters. Everyone on the bus is an ordinary person with flesh and blood, his or her own story, and each has his or her own difficulties.
Even the driver and Aunt Guo, who were the instigators, planned the explosion because of their daughter's tragic death.
This kind of profound and sincere portrayal of small characters is very touching, and is the fundamental reason why "The Beginning" became a huge hit.
"I have received a very important piece of information. The police have confirmed that the bomb is indeed in the car."
Sitting in the back seat of the bus, Gu Wei was wearing prop glasses and a gray shirt. He looked gentle and had the temperament of a "coder".
"Officer Zhang also reminded me of one thing. He asked me why I didn't tell the driver and passengers to get out of the car quickly when I knew there was a bomb in the car.
I was so anxious just now that I didn’t think of this solution.”
Zhao Jinmai next to him was wearing a blue short-sleeved T-shirt and black pants. Her fair face was full of collagen and her temperament was very pure.
“I’ve tried it before.
I told you the car would crash, but no one believed me! "
"The effect of a car accident being in the car being bombed is different."
After Zhao Jinmai finished speaking, she stood up and yelled to the bus driver, "Uncle, stop the bus! There's a bomb on the bus!"
After she finished speaking, Gu Wei also stood up and stretched out his hand to block Zhao Jinmai.
In the plot, the bus is about to explode at this time.
"Crack! Over, let's take a break and move on."
After the director finished speaking, Gu Wei and Zhao Jinmai relaxed and got out of the bus where they were filming.
The place where they are now is a studio.
[Beginning] The bus is a very important filming location, and a large part of the plot takes place on the No. 45 bus while it is moving.
However, since real-life shooting would have a huge impact on road traffic, the in-car scenes in [The Beginning] were all shot in a studio with the assistance of LED screens.
"You performed well just now. I feel like you've been getting into the groove these past few days, Mai Mai."
Sitting down in the rest area beside the studio, Gu Wei took the water cup from his assistant, took a sip, and praised Zhao Jinmai beside him.
"I'm under a lot of pressure. We have so many talented actors in our crew. It would be embarrassing if I kept making NGs.
I just have to work hard silently.”
What Zhao Jinmai said is true. Although "The Beginning" is only a low-cost web drama with 15 episodes, the actors are basically all talented.
Liu Yijun who plays the policeman, Huang Jue who plays the driver, and Liu Dan who plays "Auntie Pot", as well as other less famous actors, all performed very well.
"Brother, are you really going to Hollywood to film a movie?"
“It’s not about going to Hollywood, it’s about collaborating with Hollywood companies.”
Recently, Lionsgate Films announced that John Wick 4 has officially been approved for production and announced its collaboration with The Next World.
It was revealed by relevant personnel that Gu Wei will join "John Wick 4" as the protagonist, so this matter naturally caused a stir on the domestic Internet.
Gu Wei was naturally pushed to the forefront of public opinion.
This is not the first time that domestic actors have filmed Hollywood blockbusters. There are those who became famous all over the world through Hollywood, such as Cheng Long and Li Lianjie, while there are also those who had no effective participation, such as Jing Tian and Liu Yifei.
Gu Wei's fame and appeal have undoubtedly reached a limit in China. After hearing the news, everyone is looking forward to the performance of his first global film.
Gu Wei’s fans are naturally delighted, thinking that their idol will continue his previous glory even if he stars in a Hollywood movie.
But more passers-by and netizens are actually not optimistic.
Everyone feels that although Gu Wei has a strong appeal in China, he is not very famous internationally, especially in the Western world. If "John Wick 4" wants to be a big hit, it will probably have to rely on the Chinese market.
However, what everyone agrees on is that Gu Wei's participation in this performance is indeed a good opportunity to expand his personal global reputation.
"Same thing, according to the news you'll be one of the stars of the Hollywood blockbuster 'John Wick 4'. When the movie comes out, you'll be an international superstar!
I wish I could be like you someday."
Zhao Jinmai looked at Gu Wei, her eyes full of admiration and envy.
"Just act well. You've already achieved such fame at such a young age. Your future is limitless."
Gu Wei patted Zhao Jinmai on the head and encouraged her.
"Um!"
Zhao Jinmai nodded confidently at first, but then she felt a little discouraged when she thought of something.
"I started acting at a very young age, but I haven't won any significant awards in all these years. Sometimes I even wonder if I have no talent for acting."
Gu Wei looked at her with some amusement.
"How old are you and you want to win an award? There are so many actors in the entertainment industry who have filmed their entire lives and still haven't won a single award."
"But Zifeng is about the same age as me. She's been winning awards since she was young, and last year she even became the first Golden Rooster Award winner born after 2000."
Zhao Jinmai and Zhang Zifeng are also very good friends. When they were young, they filmed "A Little Farewell" directed by Wang Jun together.
"Er Zifeng is indeed more talented."
Before she could finish her words, Zhao Jinmai pouted. Gu Wei quickly continued, "But, there's one thing she's not as good as you."
"What?" Zhao Jinmai asked with her big eyes blinking.
Gu Wei laughed and said, "Zi Feng is not as pretty as you. Compared to the two of you, Mai Mai, you are undoubtedly the prettier!"
"hey-hey."
After he said that, Zhao Jinmai laughed foolishly.
[Beginning] The filming went on smoothly and half a month passed quickly.
On this day, Gu Wei took a day off and flew from Xiamen to Shanghai to attend the "Weibo Movie Night" held at the Shanghai Center Building.
Similar to [Weibo Night], [Weibo Movie Night] is an evening party hosted by Sina specifically for domestic filmmakers.
It was founded in 2016 and this year is its fifth year.
Thanks to the wide influence of Sina Weibo, a large number of top domestic entertainment stars participate in [Weibo Movie Night] every year.
Of course, everyone comes here first to give face to Weibo officials, second to promote their own movies, and finally some artists come here to get more exposure.
For example, the widely circulated incident of Eddie Peng and Li Bingbing swapping seats happened at the 2018 Weibo Movie Night.
At that time, Jiang Wen attended the event with the crew of "Evil Does Not Suppress Justice". The organizer arranged Jiang Wen and his wife and Xu Qing in the first row, and Peng Yuyan from the same group was arranged in the second row with Feng Shaofeng and Liao Fan.
As a result, Peng's staff member swapped his name tag with Li Bingbing's, and he sat next to Xu Qing.
In the eyes of others, there seems to be nothing wrong with the crew of "Evil Does Not Suppress Justice" sitting together.
Arriving in Shanghai at noon, Gu Wei changed into formal attire for the ceremony, put on some makeup, and arrived at the Central Building in the afternoon.
"Long time no see~"
In the backcourt, Gu Wei met Xin Zhilei who had arrived earlier than him. The other party greeted him with a smile.
Xin Zhilei wore a slim black tweed long dress today, with retro wavy long hair, fair skin, red lips and a delicate face. A round pearl necklace hung on her chest, echoing a pair of sparkling diamond earrings. She was full of the charm of a noble lady.
"The last time we met was at the end of last year on the set of Joy of Life 2. It's been over half a year now."
Gu Wei said as he looked Xin Zhilei up and down.
"But your temperament is getting better and better!
[Flowers] Finished filming? "
He felt that the other person's outfit today was about 70% similar to the "Li Li" in his impression.
Xin Zhilei was obviously very pleased with Gu Wei's praise and had a smile on his face.
However, when she heard his question, the expression on her face froze instantly.
“I really want to say that we have finished filming, and in fact, we have finished filming all the shots in the script.
But a few days ago I received a call from director Wang Jiawei, asking me to go back and reshoot the scenes, as he had some new ideas.
I don’t know when this will end.”
"Haha, this is very Wang Jiawei, there should be more than one of you, right?"
Xin Zhilei shrugged: "Of course, Hu Ge and Tang Yan also need to reshoot."
Gu Wei thought for a moment and said, "This month, [Life Events] will be released, and early next month, [Joy of Life 2] will be airing. You're involved in both dramas, so can you spare some time to promote them?"
The reason why the two walked the red carpet together was to represent the crew of "Life Events" which will be released at the end of the month.
"No problem. Although [Flowers] has been filming all the time, the workload isn't heavy. It's just taking a long time. Actors can just ask for leave if they have something to do."
Gu Wei nodded.
The two chatted for a while, and when it was about time, they came out of the waiting area and walked onto the red carpet prepared by the organizers.
After entering the main venue, Gu Wei separated from Xin Zhilei. His seat was in the middle of the first row. Obviously, given Xin Zhilei's status, it was impossible for her to sit with him.
Walking along the way under the guidance of the staff, Gu Wei saw many familiar faces. When others noticed him coming in, they waved and greeted him.
Sitting in the middle of the first row was the CEO of Sina, with Cheng Long and Zhang Yimou sitting on his left and right respectively.
Gu Wei's seat was next to Cheng Long, and next to Gu Wei was Xu Zheng.
"Brother Cheng Long, Director Xu~"
After sitting down, Gu Wei greeted the two of them.
"Gu Wei, you have a new movie coming out, right?"
[Life Events] started promoting as early as last month, and has been one of the most anticipated movies in this summer season. Jackie Chan obviously knows something about it.
"It's the end of the month, there's still some time."
"I heard you're going to be in a Hollywood movie opposite Keanu Reeves.
When I first met you, I knew you were something special. I never thought you would reach this level in just a few years."
Cheng Long is almost 70 years old. Although he has taken good care of himself, his face is still full of traces of time.
He wore a pair of black-framed glasses and looked at Gu Wei with emotion.
"Brother, you are too kind. I am just lucky and have benefited from the development of the domestic film market in recent years. It is not as exaggerated as you say," Gu Wei smiled modestly.
What he said was his true thoughts. In terms of international influence, he is not as good as Jackie Chan.
The other party's decades of accumulation have almost become synonymous with Kung Fu internationally.
Whether in developed countries or third world countries, as long as you make a kung fu pose, the first reaction of others is "Jackie Chan".
“The country has indeed developed very well in recent years, but it is rare to achieve your level.
It's a good thing to have the opportunity to go out now.
I am old, Li Lianjie can no longer fight, and there are no more Kung Fu superstars in China who can be called up."
"Wu Jing is fine. Brother Jing originally studied martial arts, so he can definitely take over your class."
Cheng Long shook his head.
“Wu Jing is quite good in the country, but few people know him outside of China.
I know you are very popular in Asia, and now you have the opportunity to expand your fame to the world. I just hope that you can have the opportunity to shoot more action movies in the future."
"I will if I get a chance."
Gu Wei nodded.
He actually understands Cheng Long quite well. When people get old, they all hope to pass on something.
Cheng Long did not want Gu Wei to inherit anything from him, but hoped that Chinese kung fu stars around the world could continue to pass on from generation to generation.
From the earliest Bruce Lee to his connection with Lee, they have had a significant impact on a global scale.
By the time of today, people like Zhen Zidan, Wu Jing, and Zhao Wenzhuo are basically only famous in China.
And in the next generation, even real kung fu actors are rare.
(End of this chapter)
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