Chapter 323 322 A symposium on the creation of the movie "No One Can Be Less"
The movie "No One Can Be Less" was a script specially written by Fang Minghua for Zhang Yimou during the Spring Festival last year (85). After filming and post-production, it was finally released nationwide this summer.
After the release, the response from the audience was very good. It is said that the film's revenue was as high as 1.1 million. For Zhang Yimou, who directed a film for the first time, it was definitely a double success in terms of word-of-mouth and box office.
The second Teacher’s Day will be celebrated soon. This creative symposium, hosted by the China Film Association and hosted by Xijing Film Factory, is also part of the celebration of Teacher’s Day.
As a screenwriter, Fang Minghua was naturally invited.
At this time, Fang Minghua was carefully reading a novella that Mo Yan had just sent.
According to Fang Minghua's requirements, all submissions from writers who have signed the "Great God Agreement", regardless of whether they are good or bad, and whether they decide to publish them, must go through his final review.
The book I am reading today is Mo Yan’s famous work "Red Sorghum".
"Red Sorghum" is based on the Anti-Japanese War and the folk life of Northeast Gaomi Township in the 1930s and 1940s. The series of anti-Japanese heroes portrayed in the story are all embodiments of justice and evil. The protagonist Yu Zhan'ao is a passionate man whose body is full of justice and brutality.
In the novel, Mo Yan creates a red sorghum world on the edge of ethics and morality, a kind of bandit-like hero who does all the bad things but also serves the country. They fall in love with each other and fight bravely, full of deviant and eccentric characters. It has the infinite vitality of the times.
Fang Minghua had read this novel and watched the film before he came to this era. The writing is indeed soul-stirring.
It’s just.
Who knew that some of these descriptions would cause criticism in later generations?
Be faithful to the original work.
Putting down Mo Yan's manuscript, Fang Minghua looked at the invitation letter from the Film Association. Isn't this just right.
Zhang Yimou can make this film.
This film creation symposium was held at the Tangcheng Hotel in Xijing. The participation level was very high, including relevant leaders from the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Ministry of Education, Xia Yan, the then chairman of the China Film Association, and relevant provincial and municipal cultural propaganda departments. Leaders, as well as the famous film critic "China Film Times", honorary editor-in-chief Mei Duo, director of Xiying Film Studio Wu Tianmin, and the main creative staff of "No One Less" totaled more than 20 people.
The meeting held heated discussions on "the relationship between film and novel adaptations", "the practical significance of the film "No One Less"" and other aspects.
As a novelist and screenwriter, Fang Minghua talked about his creative experience, especially his insights into the current situation of basic education in rural areas when he accompanied Shi Tiesheng to the Qinbei Plateau last year.
As the director, Zhang Yimou also told some of his deeds during the filming process: the actors all used their real names in the film, and most of the actors’ identities in the film are also the same as their real names. Consistent with the identity, in order to pursue a sense of reality, the slogans on the blackboard in the film were all written by the rural teachers at the filming location.
The famous film critic Meadow also gave this film high praise. He pointed out that the film is somewhat similar to the approach of Italian neorealist films, using non-professional actors, shooting in real scenes and natural light, and making extensive use of medium and long shots, calm and restrained scenes. Long shots, maintaining the objectivity and integrity of space and performance.
It shows the director's high artistic control, realistic style, and purity. In addition to the artistic level, the greater significance of the film may lie in its insight into social reality.
Undoubtedly, Zhang Yimou is the most dazzling figure in this creative symposium and a rising star in the domestic director circle.
Zhang Yimou was very happy and grateful.
He is grateful to two people: the first is Wu Tianmin, who seconded himself to Xiying Film Studio and created all the conditions for him to make this film.
The second one is Fang Minghua, who wrote this script specifically for himself, almost tailor-made. He always remembered this feeling.
Normally everyone is busy and it’s hard to see them, but today is an opportunity.
The old Qin people express their gratitude in a very simple way. First, they go to a restaurant and treat the guests to a meal. It is best not to return until they are drunk.
This afternoon, after the symposium ended, Zhang Yimou invited Fang Minghua out for a drink. "Director Zhang, didn't you just drink?" Fang Minghua said.
No matter what kind of meeting is held these days, people usually drink at the end of the meeting, so Fang Minghua said this.
"What's that drink? To us old Qin people, it's just a mouthwash. Let's go, I'll call Director Wu."
So the three of them went to the hotel together. I went to a small restaurant outside, ordered a bottle of Xifeng, and started eating four dishes of wine and food.
I saw Zhang Yimou filling Fang Minghua and Wu Tianmin's wine glasses with wine, and then served them to them respectfully, and then he picked up his own wine glass and said sincerely: "I want to thank you for this glass of wine. You two, editor Fang wrote such a script for me, and director Wu specially seconded me to film at Xiying Studio. I will definitely remember this kindness!"
This kind of wine cannot be shied away from, so three Everyone drank it all.
Wu Tianmin watched Zhang Yimou pouring wine for him and said: "Yimou, I have decided to recommend this film you made to participate in the selection of next year's Golden Rooster Award and Hundred Flowers Award in the name of Xi Film Studio."
"Thank you, thank you." Zhang Yimou was overjoyed when he heard this.
"Also, your daughter-in-law Xiao Hua, I am going to transfer to Xiying Film Studio, are you willing? As for you, you have to be seconded for the time being, but the salary will be paid by our Xiying Film Studio, 100 yuan a month . ”
Now Wu Tianmin is very good at Xiying Studio.
After filming "Into the Dust" written by Fang Minghua in 1981, and winning the Golden Rooster Award for Best Story, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress the following year, Wu Tianmin immediately filmed "Into the Dust" written by Lu Yao. Life", and won the 1984 Popular Film Hundred Flowers Award for Best Feature Film. It can be said that it has won many awards.
Under his leadership, Western Film has suddenly emerged in the past two years: the film "Yellow Earth" directed by Chen Kaige won the Best Cinematography Award at the 5th China Film Golden Rooster Award, and "No One Less" filmed by Zhang Yimou has an excellent reputation. It is very likely to win the Golden Rooster Award next year.
Now Wu Tianmin is really a bit of a "big brother".
"Minghua, I want to apologize to you." Wu Tianmin said suddenly.
"Apologise? What are you apologizing for?"
"I decided to give up on your article "The Sun Also Rises" after careful consideration. To be honest, I don't think I could capture the essence of your novel. .”
This happened.
When we had dinner together before the Spring Festival last year, Fang Minghua took the initiative to write the script for Zhang Yimou, "No One Can Be Missed". At the same time, Wu Tianmin also wanted to film "The Sun Also Rises". Fang Minghua Agreed.
But later Wu Tianmin thought for a long time and decided to give up. He told Fang Minghua about this on the phone, and today he apologized in person.
When Fang Minghua heard him mention this again, he smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, just leave it alone. If you want to take pictures, just take pictures."
"I'm taking pictures. If they don’t come out, we’ll have to look to the younger generation of directors,” Wu Tianmin said.
Zhang Yimou thought he was talking about him and quickly said: "Director Wu, I can't do it either."
"If you want to make a movie, just make a novel that tells an honest story, like this one written by Minghua You can’t even capture the magical writing techniques.”
Zhang Yimou nodded quickly.
Looking at Zhang Yimou like this, Fang Minghua's heart moved and he said with a smile: "Director Zhang, I have a very good novel. Do you want to make it into a movie?"
(End of this chapter) )