Sergei's use of the term "dramatic performance" actually means "spoken drama." The term "spoken drama" originated in China and doesn't exist in Russian, but its meaning and performance style are identical.
Shang Yechu's eyes widened suddenly.
In the performing arts, there is an unshakeable hierarchy of contempt: stage plays > movies > television dramas.
Movies and TV series can have retakes, but a stage play, a performance lasting several hours, cannot be interrupted or restarted. Forgetting lines or the script can lead to a complete breakdown on stage. Every stage performance is unique and unrepeatable.
Furthermore, stage plays lack the elaborate sets and special effects of films and television dramas, and there is no directorial editing or embellishment. The characters are the focus of the audience's appreciation, and the actors' performances are the foundation of the play. A long play, with hours of continuous dialogue and high-energy, high-intensity performances and real-time interaction, naturally tests and hones the actors' acting abilities and improvisational skills. An actor's true skill can be fully revealed in a single long play.
A single, continuous shot is merely the lowest standard for stage plays.
Not to mention, compared to movies and TV series, stage plays are even more niche. Spending time in the theater means an actor is willing to endure long, unpleasant performances and has higher artistic aspirations. Especially considering Sergei's artistically striking face.
This isn't some nepotism case, this is a Brahmin!
With her last hope, Shang Yechu asked, "Are you the main character?"
Sergei slightly curled the corners of his lips and slowly said, "No."
Just as Shang Yechu breathed a sigh of relief, he heard Sergei say, "Both 'The Sled' and 'The Camp of Glory' are ensemble pieces, in which I play a supporting role. However, in 'Fedor,' I play Fedor."
Shang Yechu: "..."
Shang Ye turned back, not wanting to look at the Brahman's face anymore. Ever since the word "theatrical performance" came out of Sergei's mouth, his face no longer looked like someone with connections, his blue eyes no longer looked like cheap soda, and even his two comical mustaches were coated with an unattainable artistic radiance.
"I know you've played many leading roles." Seeing that Shang Yechu seemed inclined to end the conversation, Sergei surprisingly continued the awkward topic. Only now, it was Shang Yechu who was embarrassed. "Would you like to tell me about your plays?"
Shang Yechu wished he could burst out the door right now, run into a theater and perform in plays for ten or eight years, then throw his glittering theatrical resume in Sergei's face.
"Pshaw, what's so great about acting in plays? She acted in many sketches in her previous life, and sketches are essentially miniature plays. Besides, the audience was definitely larger than that Fronchi Theater that Sergei mentioned. Shang Yechu has never messed up a performance."
After mentally reassessing himself for a while, Shang Yechu finally felt that he and Sergei were equals again, and even seemed to have a slight advantage (a slight advantage!). Just as he was about to speak, he heard Director Lev say, "Hey! Volkov, it's not time for you to be infatuated with her yet! Can't you hear me?"
Volkov is Sergei's surname. For a teacher to use the formal "you" (formal pronoun) to address a student is unmistakably sarcastic, signifying that director Lev Pavlovich's patience has reached its limit. Sergei snapped out of his daze and immediately stood up, saying, "Excuse me, Lev Pavlovich, what did you just ask?"
Director Lev's face had turned a deep liver color from anger, and Shang Yechu suspected that he might actually have alcoholic liver disease.
Given that there were other people from other countries present, Director Lev couldn't afford to lose his temper and could only glare at him fiercely: "The reporters want to take a group photo of us, and they also want to take a separate photo of you and that rude girl. Take that thing out."
Shang Yechu quietly extended her middle finger, and before Director Lev could explode, the middle finger curved and landed at her temple, gently brushing the hair beside her ear, subtly indicating with this universally understood gesture that she understood.
Reporter Xiao Du turned to chat with the reporter next to him, not taking any pictures of this scene, and even seemed not to have seen Ye Chu's actions. Ye Chu has collaborated with CTS many times, so there is still some goodwill between them.
It turned out that Russian reporters had arrived while the two were talking. The staged photo shoot was nearing its end, and the two main characters were making their final appearance.
"What are you taking?" Because she kept asking questions, Sergei had been sullen by Director Lev for being distracted, and Shang Yechu felt quite guilty. Seeing Sergei remain silent, she took the initiative to start a conversation to ease the awkwardness.
“A little trinket from the script of ‘Ice and Iron’.” Sergei pulled two fluffy little things out of his pocket and handed one to Shang Yechu’s hand. “It’s Wei Bingkai’s headdress. Kovalev made it for her.”
Shang Yechu silently stared at the lump of... uh, leopard-print fluffy stuff in her palm. Would Wei Bingkai really wear such a headdress?
Director Lev's anger was almost at its limit, so Shang Yechu was too embarrassed to complain anymore and just chuckled twice: "It actually fits Kovalev's character quite well. Director Lev is very ingenious."
The accompanying translator translated this sentence to Director Lev, and the old man's expression finally improved. Shang Yechu thought sarcastically, "He probably thought I was praising him."
The two main creators posed for a photo with beaming smiles. Shang Yechu then took several individual photos and group photos with Sergei, finally completing the posed shots.
With their mission accomplished, the reporters on both sides breathed a sigh of relief. They then interviewed the director, screenwriter, and lead actors briefly to gather material for their articles before bidding farewell and leaving.
After all that commotion, everyone was exhausted. They were even more tired than after the verbal battle.
Both the Chinese and Russian representatives were expressionless. Director Lev slumped into two chairs, his hooked nose twitching as he breathed heavily. Director Huang was also constantly wiping away sweat.
“Alright,” Director Lev shrugged, “Huang, Lu, let’s all be honest with each other.”
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