Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 295 My whole family praised my acting!
"The War of Resistance Against Japan was the heaviest price paid in modern Chinese history. The Chinese nation made an indelible historical contribution to the complete victory of the World Anti-Fascist War with the blood and lives of more than 3000 million sons and daughters."

Now, director Wu Yuchen, through "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," cleverly uses a child's perspective to reveal a grand theme through an individual story, condemning the endless suffering inflicted on the people of both countries by the war of aggression against China. Through the innocent eyes of children, the absurdity and cruelty of war are all the more shocking.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" has gained global recognition, moving from evoking national memory to exploring historical reflection. Its themes transcend mere ethnic conflict, exploring profound questions of humanity and inhumanity, and conveying empathy and humanitarian concern that transcends national borders.

Wu Yuchen used film to express that although war is history, the lessons it leaves for future generations should not merely be the seeds of revenge, but also how war shapes the fate of two nations and the world, its profound lessons on humanity and international cooperation, and the pursuit of the lofty ideal of peace!

Wu Yuchen read the article in the People's Daily for a while, and then looked at some film reviews in other newspapers.

"The Boy in Striped Pajamas: Wu Yuchen's Warmth and Cruelty."

"Behind the two boys lies the tragedy of a nation!"

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: A must-see movie for every Chinese person!"

Wu Yuchen: I give you hope, then shatter it completely!

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is not only the most important film in Wu Yuchen's career, but also a prominent film reflecting the theme of World War II, giving people a strong emotional impact. Its character development and audiovisual language are worthy of careful study and emulation by all Chinese directors!

"This is not just a storyline, but a comprehensive victory for technology, cinematography, editing, acting, and soundtrack!"

Great films should be like this: not only profound in thought and moving in emotion, but also technically superb, offering invaluable reference for film students. Such films hold a very high place in the hearts of both ordinary film enthusiasts and academics; only such films can be passed down through generations!

To be honest, a lot of media outlets have been itching to write a review of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" for a long time.

Normally, given how many awards "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" won at the Oscars, it should have been released directly in China, allowing the entire nation to watch it in theaters. The media would naturally have taken the opportunity to promote it extensively and offer their opinions on the film.

However, this time it was truly unfortunate that the SARS outbreak occurred, preventing the film from being released. This meant that despite the media's previous praise of Wu Yuchen after winning the Oscar, they could only praise the person, not the film itself. This felt somewhat inadequate, both for the media themselves and for the general public.

We know Wu Yuchen is impressive for winning awards, and we know the movie is good, but we also need to know exactly why it's good!

Now that's great, the movie is finally out, and it's even being streamed for free on the movie channel. This is definitely going to be the most-watched movie since its release. Now they can finally let out a sigh of relief and write extensively about this great movie that won so many Oscars!
Of course, since even the central coal industry has set the tone, the media certainly won't go against it or nitpick; they'll naturally praise it from every angle!
However, this is exactly what the public wants. After all, many people were in tears after watching "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" yesterday, heartbroken by the tragedy of the two children in the film. The abundance of professional film reviews today naturally provides an outlet for people's emotions and a sense of shared experience.

To put it bluntly, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" has now truly achieved nationwide buzz. After all, no other film has ever attracted so many viewers and garnered such high levels of attention!
To be honest, Wu Yuchen is still a little unaccustomed to being a national treasure-level director.

The title of "national treasure director" is not given to just anyone. Only directors who have made outstanding contributions and had a profound influence in the film and television industry can be bestowed with this title. These directors are not only highly praised for the artistic value of their works, but their works also often transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, becoming internationally acclaimed classics.

Clearly, Wu Yuchen now meets this requirement, and this time it has been officially confirmed.

As for Wu Yuchen himself, he was naturally quite happy to receive such recognition, but on the other hand, he now vaguely felt that he was being praised a little too highly.

Sometimes being held in a high position is not a good thing. It can easily lead people to become complacent, lose their ambition, or become burdened by their fame.

Take Chen Kaizi for example. After "Farewell My Concubine," he received widespread praise. After that, he basically maintained a high-and-mighty attitude and couldn't let go of it. This mentality must have affected his subsequent creative career.

However, Wu Yuchen did not step forward to decline. He and "The Boy in Striped Pajamas" no longer only represent themselves, but are now a symbol and calling card for China's external exchanges and cultural promotion. Even if he himself did not intend to, he would still be pushed forward.

Just like yesterday when he was talking to the leader, the other party mentioned a sentence from the instructor: "If we don't occupy the high ground of public opinion, then the enemy will."

Although they are not enemies, a comparison of the treatment of Chinese and Jews reveals the disparity.

Jews claimed to have been murdered 600 million times during World War II, a claim they maintained for decades around the world, ultimately gaining sympathy and preferential treatment. But what about China? With over 3000 million people—several times the Jewish population—does anyone care?
Every year, so many books and other works are written about Jewish victims of World War II. Have those scholars who claim to be concerned about human suffering ever paid attention to the massacre of Chinese people during World War II?
Although there are complex factors behind this, such as politics, economics, and skin color, the battleground of public opinion is truly extremely important!
Now that we've finally managed to pull off a major success with Wu Yuchen and "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," a card that has gained significant international influence, we naturally need to maintain and utilize it well!
……

"Changchang, I heard there are more SARS cases in Beijing. How are you?" Liu Qianqian called her friend Shuchang from across the ocean to check on her.

"I'm fine, and I feel like everyone around me is okay."

"Then why did you sound so sighy when you were on the phone just now?" Liu Qianqian asked.

Shu Chang paused for a moment, then asked, "Um, Xixi, have you seen the movie 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas'?"

"Yes, I saw it! It's already showing in theaters all over America. I saw it last week, and I almost cried my eyes out! Changchang, I'm so envious of you for being able to act in this movie!"

Shuchang said, sounding a little aggrieved, "Qianqian, I sighed just now because of this. I saw a lot of people online criticizing me..."

Liu Qianqian asked curiously, "Huh? Why? I think Changchang, you acted really well!"

"They all say I'm an idiot, brainless, that I've been brainwashed by the Japanese, that I've even fallen for Japanese people, that I have problematic thinking, that I'm a traitor, that's basically it..."

Liu Qianqian was also taken aback upon hearing this. After realizing what was going on, she comforted her friend, "This, Changchang, it's all because you acted so well! That's why everyone was so immersed in the role..."

"That's what they say, but what I see..."

"Stop with the 'buts,' Changchang, this is a happy kind of trouble! If I were you, the more people who criticize me right now, the happier I'd be!" "How can you think like that!"

The two girls chatted for a while, and Shuchang's slight worries were forgotten. Then she asked Liu Qianqian, "Qianqian, when are you planning to come back?"

Liu Qianqian asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Changchang, did you miss me?"

"Mmm, I miss you so much..."

Shu Chang drawled out the last syllable, then said, "I miss your mother's cooking!"

"Hmph! You little rascal, Changchang, I'm going to tickle you when we get back!"

"Hehe, when you get back, we'll see who scratches whom~"

After the two girls laughed together, Liu Qianqian said, "I'll go back next month~"

"Next month? SARS might not be over so soon, right? Why don't you wait a little longer?" Shu Chang asked.

Liu Qianqian shook her head: "I can't wait any longer. Mr. Cai from Miracle Films said they want me to audition for the female lead in a TV series, and I have to go back next month."

Shu Chang exclaimed, "Miracle Films, President Cai? Qianqian, then I must congratulate you in advance! Miracle Films' TV series are all top-notch now, and everyone is scrambling to get into their projects!"

"What's there to congratulate? It's just an audition, it's not even confirmed yet whether you'll get the part~ Besides, you're nowhere near as good as Changchang, you've already acted in Director Wu's films!"

"Hehe, I was just lucky. I told you, I went to ask Director Wu on set, and he said it was because you're too pretty that they didn't choose you~"

"You're just trying to coax me~" Liu Qianqian said, a smile already playing on her lips.

……

While Shu Chang was on the phone with Liu Qianqian, Huang Xiaoming was also on the phone with his beloved teacher, Mr. Wu, playing the victim:
"Teacher Wu, you have no idea how many people are cursing me online right now! I'm too scared to even go online anymore. Luckily, it's SARS and everyone's staying home, otherwise I might get pelted with eggs if I walked down the street!"

Huang Xiaoming's portrayal of the Japanese officer, the worst character in the film, not only killed the old servant but also brutally beat Xiao Chun, constantly calling him a "Chinese pig," naturally earning him widespread disapproval from the audience. The amount of criticism he received in this wave far exceeded that of Shu Chang by more than tenfold.

Despite Huang Xiaoming's popularity as part of F4, his main audience is teenagers and young adults. However, the movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is watched by people of all ages. Naturally, many who didn't know him before will suddenly remember him as the "Japanese devil".

Wu Yuchen's words to Huang Xiaoming were nothing like Liu Qianqian's gentle comforting words to Shu Chang: "You little brat, you're still throwing eggs? Do you think you're Ge Cunzhuang or Teacher Chen Qiang?"

Ge Cunzhuang is Ge You's father, and Chen Qiang is Chen Peisi's father. Both are among the "Five Villains," frequently playing villainous roles. For example, Ge Cunzhuang played Captain Kameda, and Chen Qiang played Huang Shiren in *The White-Haired Girl* and Nan Batian in *The Red Detachment of Women*. Their performances were so convincing that they were pelted with eggs and rotten vegetables in the street. During certain periods, they were even labeled as "real bad guys" because of their acting…

"I dare not compare myself to Teacher Ge and Teacher Chen!"

Wu Yuchen laughed and said, "Heh, you're not entirely unaware of your limitations. If you feel wronged, then I won't ask you for similar roles in the future."

Huang Xiaoming hurriedly said, "No, no, no! Teacher Wu, I'm not wronged at all! My whole family praised my acting! My grandparents would love to slap me if they saw me!"
I feel really good right now. I called you specifically to say how grateful I am to have been for giving me this role! Please, please look for me again if you have the chance in the future!

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen shook his head with a smile. "That kid Huang Xiaoming, is he addicted to playing Japanese soldiers?"

After putting away his phone, Wu Yuchen smiled at Cai Yinong, who had just been reporting to him, and said, "President Cai, please continue."

During his return, he will definitely take advantage of the time to arrange the general work plan for Miracle Films in China.

Cai Yinong continued, "We have already purchased the rights to 'Chinese Paladin' from Taiwan's Softstar Entertainment, and the script has been polished. We are currently in the pre-production stage..."

Wu Yuchen nodded upon hearing this, and then said, "Adapting games into films and television series is actually similar to adapting novels; the casting must be on point. It doesn't necessarily have to be someone with a huge name; the fit of the role is very important."

Upon hearing this, Cai Yinong began to introduce the casting arrangements: "We plan to start auditions next month. Zhao Ling'er has invited He Meitian and Liu Qianqian..."

Wu Yuchen was also intrigued upon hearing Cai Yinong's introduction. He Meitian? She's currently a top sweetheart in the film and television industry, having played Yilin in the Hong Kong version of *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer* and Zhong Ling in *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, earning her a very good reputation. In his previous life, the developers of the *Chinese Paladin* game unanimously appealed to cast He Meitian as Zhao Ling'er, but unfortunately, she missed the opportunity due to scheduling conflicts…

Thinking of Liu Qianqian, Wu Yuchen smiled. In his previous life, after He Meitian refused, Liu's mother also looked down on "Chinese Paladin." It was only after Cai Yinong visited and repeatedly pleaded with them that Liu Qianqian was finally invited. But now, the situation seemed to have reversed. President Cai was a well-known figure in the industry, and a single phone call was enough to summon Liu Qianqian back from America to participate in the audition.

Wu Yuchen simply listened to Cai Yinong's report without interfering too much. With so many projects at Miracle Films every year, he certainly couldn't be involved in everything, or he would be too busy to handle it all.

The people in the company, such as Cai Yinong, Jiang Xuerou, and Li Guoli, are all capable; let them do their job. What he needs to do now is to grasp the overall direction.

Wu Yuchen was still a little curious. Would Liu Qianqian win the competition with He Meitian for Zhao Ling'er this time? Life is more interesting when there is a bit of suspense!

(End of this chapter)