Chapter 306 Johnnie To and "Underworld"
In China, Chengtian suddenly held a press conference.
“Chengtian Entertainment and director Wu Yusen have reached a cooperation and are preparing to shoot an epic masterpiece "Three Kingdoms·Red Cliff". It is initially estimated that the investment will be 600 million. We are now recruiting actors from across the country and hope to have the strength. The actor recommended himself..."
Wu Kebo was full of confidence and was drowned by the flash as soon as he made the announcement.
A big production worth 600 million yuan, the reporter sighed.
Currently, the most expensive movie in China is Zhang Yimou's "House of Flying Daggers", which is said to be 290 million yuan. "The Promise" is said to be even higher, 350 million yuan, but it has not been released yet.
"Red Cliff" directly hit 600 million. I dare not say that it is unprecedented, at least it is unprecedented.
Chinese people are really familiar with the theme of the Three Kingdoms. Among the four major classics, it is estimated to be the most read, so it naturally has traffic.
Some people suddenly thought of the war scenes in "Heroes". The scene of the Qin Army's arrow formation is the only ancient Chinese war scene they have seen so far. I wonder if "Red Cliff" will have similar scenes. .
Wu Yusen on the stage nodded mentally, Wu Kebo knows how to publicize.
Now that the news of the national audition for roles in "Red Cliff" has been released, it will immediately bring a wave of popularity, and it can beat Zhang Chen. "Hurricane Rescue" has been too hot these two days.
Wu Yusen was very proud at the moment, with his triangular eyes curled up in a smile, and he cheerfully answered reporters’ questions.
“The theme of the Three Kingdoms is very well-known throughout Asia, and the characters in it are familiar to us, but unfortunately, no one has filmed a similar theme so far. We don’t want the pearl to be covered in dust, so we try to make it Put it on the big screen..."
"The Battle of Red Cliff is the most important battle in the late Three Kingdoms period. It is of great significance. The grass boat borrows arrows, the burning camp, and Zhou Yu fights Huang Gai. These are all in the Battle of Red Cliff. Even if you have not read "Three Kingdoms" in its entirety, you are very familiar with these stories..."
"With a 600-million-yuan big production, of course we have to use the best in all aspects, and we have to use the best scripts. I hired the best screenwriter Lu Wei in the industry to help write, and the rest of the Fuhua Road are also the best. For the soundtrack, I am only planning to contact the famous Japanese musician Kenji Kawai..."
The atmosphere at the press conference was very lively, and everyone was cheering for it, but suddenly a reporter asked: "Excuse me, Director Wu, Director Zhang Chen said he would teach you how to make a secret agent movie, "The Rescue", and now its box office has exceeded 100 million in five days. What do you think about this?" What do you think?”
As soon as Zhang Xiaobei asked this question, the press conference immediately fell silent.
The harmonious and friendly atmosphere just now is gone.
Wu Yusen said nothing with a dark face, while Wu Kebo looked at him bitterly.
Zhang Xiaobei didn't care, why should he be an entertainment reporter if he cared about this? He continued to ask: "Director Wu, what do you think of "The Rescue" compared to your "Mission: Impossible 2"?"< br>
Wu Kebo over there finally couldn't help it anymore: "Shut up, which newspaper company are you from? Today is a press conference about "Three Kingdoms·Red Cliff". Please don't ask questions that have nothing to do with it~"
Zhang Xiaobei ignored him and continued to carry forward the spirit of asking for answers: "Director Wu, have you watched "Hurricane Rescue"? Do you feel there is a gap between you and Director Zhang Chen..."
"That's enough, security, kick this guy out..." Wu Kebo couldn't bear it anymore.
……
Kai Tak Airport, Boss Yang personally picked up the plane.
"Boss Yang, why do you bother to come over in person..."
Seeing Boss Yang and Huo Wenxi at the airport pick-up gate, Zhang Chen took two steps quickly.
"It's okay. I have already said that I will entertain Director Zhang well whenever he comes to Hong Kong, but Director Zhang never gives me this opportunity. Now, I have got what I wanted."
Boss Yang may look polite, but he speaks with a sense of heroism.
“Let’s not stand here anymore, I have prepared a reception banquet for everyone...”
Behind the boss was not only a long convoy of vehicles, but also two large sedans. It was obvious that he was very well prepared.
Huo Wenxi only found the opportunity to talk to Zhang Chen at this time. Zhang Chen was not pretentious, and it was better to obey orders than to be respectful.
During the dinner, the group received warm hospitality from Boss Yang.
After the meal, Huo Wenxi took the crew of "Kowloon Walled City" to arrange shooting matters, while Boss Yang and Zhang Chen changed places to drink tea.
"Director Zhang came to Hong Kong this time to promote the movie?" Boss Yang invited tea.
Zhang Chen picked up the small tea cup and took a sip of the fragrant tea, feeling the fragrance linger in his mouth.
"Well, I agreed to Dou Wentao's last issue of "Qiang Qiang Threesome". Just as "Kowloon Walled City" was about to start, I came with him. There is another reason. I want to come here to watch it. "Underworld"..."
"Oh, Director Zhang also likes Du Da Pao's movies?"
To Qifeng's nickname in Hong Kong is 'Du Da Pao'. It is said that this guy has a very bad temper on the set. It stinks, it’s common for actors to be greeted by his whole family.
But this guy is very popular in Hong Kong. At this stage, with the sluggish film market environment in Hong Kong, many companies are unable to start operations.
Only Du Dapao can guarantee to produce one work every year, which is already remarkable.
Zhang Chen nodded: "I admire Director Johnnie To's interpretation of Hong Kong gang culture. I have also seen his previous "Gunfire". This time I came here just to watch the original "Gangster". "."
Zhang Chen actually likes Johnnie To. This guy has a very strong personal style in movies.
For his movie posters, you only need to take a look at the composition to know that it must be Johnnie To's.
His interpretation of gangster movies and the fatalism he advocates are very fascinating in the movie.
There are so many directors in Hong Kong who film gangsters and tell the story of the underworld from various angles, but only Johnnie To tells the most profound story.
Even twenty years later, the two-part "Underworld" can still be called the best gangster movie in Hong Kong.
Unlike "Young and Dangerous", "Underworld" does not beautify gangsters at all, and exposes their living conditions for everyone to see.
It turns out that the brave and ruthless gangsters cannot get ahead.
It turns out that there is no sense of brotherhood among gangsters at all.
It turns out that the old age of being a gangster is very miserable.
It turns out that even if you become a gangster, you will still be bullied by the police.
Zhang Chen watched Johnnie To's movies and liked his composition very much.
"Gunfire", "Underworld", "Exile"...
This guy makes romantic movies just to earn a living, but even the romantic movies are pretty good.
And the metaphors in this guy's movie are also very good. At the beginning of "Underworld", the Hongmen ceremony started with black characters on a red background, and later changed to white characters on a black background, symbolizing the changes in Hongmen. .
Big D and A Le negotiated and the cars formed a team. Later, they disagreed and the team parted ways.
Normally speaking, he should be able to become a master.
It’s a pity that we didn’t catch the good time.
The Hong Kong Island film market is declining and the mainland market is rising.
It just so happens that the genre he specializes in is under pressure in mainland China, and good films are cut to pieces.
Because "Big Brother" involves religion, the editing was messy and the audience couldn't understand it, so they scolded the director for filming Tuo Xiang.
Actually, this has nothing to do with Lao Du. Lao Du takes the blame for no reason~
"Underworld" is better, not unintelligible, but it has also made a lot of changes. Mainland China Even the name was changed, called "Dragon City Years".
The Hong Kong version opens with a group of people paying homage to the ceremony and reciting gang rules, but the mainland version just doesn't have it.
When Uncle Deng was discussing how to hand over the baton to Le Ge, the Hong Kong version said: "When I was elected, even the four major detectives came to congratulate..."
Mainland The version is: "When I was elected, I danced with lions and dragons..."
When going to Guangzhou to get sticks, the mainland version only showed the mainland policeman played by You Yong coming out to arrest someone. It's over, and the Hong Kong version is: You Yong asked everyone around him to go out, and then talked alone with a person in the room who went to get a stick. Only then did I learn that he was originally an undercover agent of the mainland police. Before 1997, he was an undercover agent in a gang in Hong Kong, so he knew the character who went to get the stick.
In the police station, a police chief negotiated with Dumbledore. In the Hong Kong version, Dumbledore replied as follows: "We and Lian Sheng have more than 50,000 members, plus hundreds of thousands of people from other societies. What will happen if you try not to give them food..."
The old man's dialogue in the mainland version changed to: "We and Lian Sheng have more than 50,000 members, plus hundreds of thousands of people from other societies. What will they do if you don't give them food?"
Although it is only I changed a few words of the lines, but the feeling is completely different. One is a bully who threatens the police, and the other is a grandson begging the police for food.
It was originally a masterpiece, but in the end it became a mediocre work after some cuts.
It's no wonder that "Underworld 2" was not released in the mainland. Even a director can't stand his own work being ruined like this.
"If Director Zhang is interested in Du Dapao, I can arrange for you to meet and sit down and chat together..."
Boss Yang saw that Zhang Chen admired Du Qifeng so much, and couldn't help but want to match him.
One is the most awesome director in the Mainland, and the other is the most awesome director in Hong Kong. When the two meet, I don’t know what kind of sparks will be created.
(End of this chapter)