Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 271 Changchang and Xixi

The story of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is actually not complicated. It tells the story of Bruno, the son of a German officer, who befriends a Jewish boy in a concentration camp during World War II. When Bruno puts on a striped pajama and climbs into the concentration camp, he is mistaken for a child by the officer Natalia and locked in the gas chamber. The little boy is sent to his death by orders issued by his own father.

Wu Yuchen changed the German officer in his case to a puppet army officer from Northeast China. He also discussed with relevant personnel whether striped shirts were worn in concentration camps in China during the War of Resistance Against Japan.

There are actually two types of striped shirts: those worn by prisoners and those worn by hospital patients. Concentration camps, however, used both types of shirts, as these people were treated as both prisoners and experimental subjects. Therefore, striped shirts weren't only found in German concentration camps; Japanese concentration camps on the mainland also had them, though not as many as in Europe, so filming in this way was perfectly acceptable.

It's not that Wu Yuchen is overly concerned with details, but rather that details cannot be overlooked when filming this type of movie. If it were filming "Brotherhood of Blades," minor errors in details wouldn't matter, since it's a martial arts film, which is inherently fictional and leaves room for imagination.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is different. It is an adaptation of real historical events. Every detail that can be researched must be thoroughly researched. This is why Wu Yuchen visited many concentration camps in China in the past month.

Meanwhile, Han Sanping also mentioned in his previous phone call to Wu Yuchen that Wu Yuchen's filming of an anti-Japanese war movie for the Oscars had attracted considerable attention from higher-ups.

Wu Yuchen is already a leading figure among Chinese film directors and a renowned international director, so he has considerable influence. His focus on the sensitive subject of the War of Resistance Against Japan has further drawn attention from higher authorities.

Indeed, the War of Resistance Against Japan is a sensitive topic. Many ordinary people in China may have become desensitized to the constant barrage of anti-Japanese war dramas and propaganda, even finding it rather boring.

However, this is within China. Internationally, especially in Europe and America, the Japanese currently have the most well-known and positive international image among Asians. Many people in Europe and America, upon seeing an Asian face, will first ask if you are Japanese, even though they may not know anything about the crimes Japan committed during its invasion of China.

Therefore, the theme of the War of Resistance Against Japan, which is undoubtedly considered absolutely correct in China, will be controversial when it is brought to the international stage. The source of this controversy is naturally the stubborn right-wing elements in Japan, who do not acknowledge the crimes their country committed.

China's current international propaganda efforts and scale are actually not as effective as Japan's. In this world, simply having the right to speak doesn't always work; sometimes it's a contest of who has the loudest voice. The Jewish people's current status as a source of sympathy is not only due to money, but also to their decades-long efforts in various forms of propaganda.

Now, Wu Yuchen has turned his lens to the War of Resistance Against Japan and is even preparing to use it for an Oscar nomination. This has drawn the attention of everyone who has heard the news. This is different from the previous "Brotherhood of Blades". It is no longer limited to movies and box office. It may also have political overtones and even affect the image of the country and the nation.

In fact, Wu Yuchen understood all of this, but he wouldn't think about it so much now. When he made up his mind to make the film, making a good movie was his top priority.

The news about the audition for "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" had already been circulating widely in the industry.

Although the newspapers have been reporting on all aspects of "Brotherhood of Blades" and the public is discussing whether "Brotherhood of Blades" can surpass "Titanic" at the box office, many people in the industry have already turned their attention to "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas".

Even if "Brotherhood of Blades" is good, it's already been released, so they can't be associated with it. But for this film, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," which hasn't even been filmed yet, whoever gets a spot there will truly be on a meteoric rise to success!

"Sigh, Director Wu, you've really messed up my filming schedule for 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'! You've completely bewitched me, the male lead!" Zhang Jizhong said to Wu Yuchen over the phone, jokingly but with a hint of complaint.

Zhang Jizhong originally planned to start filming "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" at the end of August. Hu Jun was also the character he had already chosen to play Qiao Feng. Back when he was preparing to film "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer", he had already made an agreement with Hu Jun that if "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" was well received, he would definitely find Hu Jun to play Qiao Feng when filming "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".

But now, the male lead, Hu Jun, told him that he is preparing for the audition for the role of the father in "The Boy in Striped Pajamas." If he is selected, it may conflict with "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils."

This really gave Zhang the Beard a headache. He quickly called Wu Yuchen, actually wanting to ask Wu Yuchen's opinion and see how Hu Jun's audition went. If he was really selected, then Zhang the Beard would really have to make more plans and adjust the filming schedule!
Wu Yuchen said with a smile, "Director Zhang, so you mean I should make things difficult for Hu Jun? Make him hurry back to film with you?"

Zhang Jizhong quickly said, "No, no, Director Wu, please don't! If Mr. Hu finds out that I've affected him, he'll hate me to death!"

At last year's Golden Horse Awards, Hu Jun and Liu Ye almost had a falling out over the Best Actor award. The film they starred in together, "Lan Yu," was the biggest favorite at last year's Golden Horse Awards. Before the awards ceremony, everyone said that Hu Jun would win Best Actor, and even Hu Jun himself thought so. In interviews, he was full of confidence and practically considered himself the Best Actor.

As a result, at the awards ceremony, Hu Jun was about to go up to accept the award when the presenter called out the name of Liu Ye, who was sitting next to him. You can imagine how dark his face must have been at that moment; he couldn't even control his facial expressions.

It is said that the crew of "Lan Yu" was very awkward that night and dared not celebrate too much because Hu Jun's aura was too strong and he kept releasing low pressure. Liu Ye could only be happy in his heart when he took the trophy off the stage. He didn't dare to laugh in front of Hu Jun and didn't dare to say much.

Zhang Jizhong had also heard about this. Liu Ye hadn't done anything wrong, yet he almost fell out with Hu Jun. If he had ruined Hu Jun's audition this time, it would have been a real grudge, making Hu Jun hate him for life.

The bearded man immediately said, "Director Wu, just give me a definite answer so I can prepare in advance!"

Wu Yuchen chuckled and said, "Okay, that's definitely no problem. I'll also be frank with you: Hu Jun has a good image, but whether he can land the role depends on his acting skills. He has quite a few competitors too."

The bearded man immediately chimed in, "That's right, Director Wu, every middle-aged male actor in our industry would love to give your film a try!"

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen thought about the role of the father in the movie. Quite a few actors wanted to audition this time; the requirements were male actors aged 30-50, which was indeed aimed at the middle-aged generation. However, to be honest, the physical appearance alone eliminated many people.

The father in the film is a high-ranking officer in the puppet army, in charge of the entire concentration camp. Therefore, the first requirement is that he must look like a soldier, tall and imposing. So Wu Yuchen set a height requirement of 175cm or more; those who were shorter shouldn't even apply for the audition. This alone eliminated quite a few people.

However, quite a few good actors do meet the height requirement, such as Chen Daoming, Wang Zhiwen, and Pu Cunxi. But Hu Jun still feels his chances are pretty good because the role requires him to portray the tough, soldierly demeanor, while these actors tend to have a more scholarly air and haven't played similar tough characters before. In this respect, Hu Jun has a significant advantage; his posture and presence are immediately apparent, making him look much more like the character than the others!

However, when he went for the audition, he encountered some formidable competitors, such as Zhang Fengyi, Chen Baoguo, and Jiang Wu...

Inside the room, Wu Yuchen watched Zhang Fengyi walk out and shook his head. The image was quite suitable, but… actually, Old Zhang's acting was pretty good, definitely above average, otherwise he wouldn't have been chosen by that rich guy. But Wu Yuchen just felt he was a bit too steady and lacked some tension.

After Hu Jun finished his performance and left, Wu Yuchen thought to himself that Zhang Dahuzi didn't need to worry anymore; Hu Jun could go back to playing his Qiao Feng role. Hu Jun's image was definitely good, and he had the toughness, but he just wasn't soft enough!

The role of a father is not just that of a military officer; it's also about being a father who shows a softer side within the family, possessing tenderness and delicate emotions towards his children. In this respect, Hu Jun seems to lack experience, perhaps due to his limited lifespan and relatively short time as a father.

Have you ever played a villain?

Zhang Hanyu immediately replied, "The Joker from 'Batman,' Hannibal Lecter from 'The Silence of the Lambs'..."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen raised an eyebrow and looked over, only to hear Zhang Hanyu say, "I did all the voice-over."

Wu Yuchen smiled. As a voice actor, he needs to be emotionally expressive, but everything depends on his performance on stage.

After he left the room, Wu Yuchen also made a mental note of him. His appearance met the requirements and his acting skills were passable, so he could be listed as a candidate.

After a while, once Jiang Wu had left, Wu Yuchen said to Gong Li beside him, "His acting skills are undeniable, but he looks a bit plump..."

Despite having "Wu" in his name, Jiang Wu is anything but martial. He has a chubby face, giving him an inherently honest and approachable air, especially when he smiles. This makes him somewhat unsuitable for the role of a military officer.

At this moment, Gong Li asked, "Hey, Director Wu, why haven't I seen Jiang Wen here?"

Gong Li thought Jiang Wu's brother, Jiang Wen, was quite suitable, and the two had become acquainted while playing the male and female leads in "Red Sorghum," so their relationship was quite good.

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this: "Him? I reckon he doesn't want to act under my direction anymore. In the first half of this year, our company started a new film called 'Looking for a Gun.' The director is a newbie, and he was bullied quite a bit by the male lead, letting him have a good time!"

Gong Li understood what was going on as soon as she heard it, smiled and shook her head, and didn't mention it again.

What Wu Yuchen didn't mention was that there was another reason Jiang Wen didn't come this time: his old flame, Liu Xiaoqing. After Liu Xiaoqing was arrested, Jiang Wen, true to their past friendship, busied himself trying to find someone to help her, but to no avail. He was ultimately detained for over a year before being released on bail.

However, Liu Xiaoqing poured her heart and soul into filming "In the Heat of the Sun" for Jiang Wen, but ended up losing everything. During filming, Jiang Wen and Ning Jing got together, leaving Liu Xiaoqing with nothing. Therefore, it's only natural that Jiang Wen came to help her this time.

Wu Yuchen didn't really care whether Jiang Wenlai auditioned or not. In the Chinese film and television industry, the middle-aged generation of actors represents the best group of male actors, while the overall level of younger actors who develop after them is actually declining. Therefore, Wu Yuchen didn't mind the absence of Jiang Wenlai.

While Wu Yuchen was auditioning for the role of the father, two girls were chatting away in a corner outside the door.

"Sissi, you may not know this because you've been away from the country all these years, but all those people coming in and out are big stars!"

The young girl, Shu Chang, pulled her best friend Liu Qianqian along and introduced them one by one: "This is Chen Daoming, that's Chen Baoguo, and this is Wang Zhiwen..."

Liu Qianqian interrupted her friend: "Changchang, I know~ I went abroad when I was 10 years old, I know all of these!"

Liu Qianqian met Shu Chang while filming "The Story of a Noble Family" this year, and the two became friends.

Shu Chang pulled Liu Qianqian along and continued to exclaim, "I never imagined I'd see so many big stars in one place, all here to audition for a role! It's amazing! Qianqian, does Director Wu have that much influence in America?"

Liu Qianqian nodded: "Of course! Wu Yuchen is now one of the most popular directors in Hollywood, and also one of the most famous Chinese. Chinese Americans are proud of him! My classmates and his fans come to me specifically to discuss Wu Yuchen! Even top Hollywood actors want to star in Wu Yuchen's movies!"

"That's amazing! I just don't know if we'll have a chance this time~" Shu Chang exclaimed.

She and Liu Qianqian came here to audition for the movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". The movie features a male lead with an older sister who has entered puberty, and the film is recruiting girls aged 12-14. So both of them signed up.

Actually, Liu Qianqian will be turning 15 in less than a month, but this opportunity is right here. Who would want to miss out on Wu Yuchen's acting? Even if it's still a day away from her birthday, she has to try her luck!
(End of this chapter)