Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 55 Admonition
At its core, "We Two" is a film similar to "Postmen in the Mountains" in its focus on genuine human emotion. It tells a touching story about an elderly woman living alone in a courtyard house and a young girl studying in Beijing. The film won numerous awards, including Best Actress at the Tokyo International Film Festival, Best Actress at the Golden Rooster Awards, and Best Director at the Golden Rooster Awards. It was also invited to screen at the Berlin International Film Festival and received a nomination for Most Popular Film.

This type of film will not have any censorship issues. As long as you make it well, it can resonate with audiences in any region.

The original film cost 200 million to make, but do you know how long it took to film?

Filming took three years, during which time it encountered SARS, the actress playing the old lady fell and was hospitalized, delaying the film for more than half a year, and so on, which greatly increased the film's cost.

In fact, 90% of the movie takes place in a small, run-down courtyard house, so there's no need for any complicated sets. Wu Yuchen is fully confident that he can make it for under 50 yuan.

The story of "The Two of Us" is not complicated. It can be said to be the shortest and easiest to understand of the three scripts. Director Gu finished reading it in a short time.

Just then, Grandma Ruan had finished reading "Mr. Donkey." She first sighed, and then exclaimed twice, "That's really good!"

Director Gu then handed the script of "The Two of Us" to Old Mrs. Ruan and asked:

"Ruan Tai, would you like to take a look at this one first?"

Grandma Ruan shook her head and didn't take it: "I'm too old to think straight and can't digest so much stuff. You're in charge here, don't worry about me."

Director Gu nodded, then turned to look at Wu Yuchen and remarked with emotion:

"Xiao Wu, I knew you were something special after reading 'Car 44,' but I never imagined you were this talented!"

He picked up the three scripts in his hands:

"All three of your books are really good! Personally, I think your 'Mr. Donkey' is exceptionally well-written; I love it!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen was not pleased; instead, he inwardly cried out in alarm, for there was often a twist to this statement.

Just as he expected, Director Gu's next words were: "However, your notebook has too many political metaphors! And the satire is too strong!"

Anyone who has seen "Mr. Donkey" knows that the Sanmin Primary School, Principal Sun, and the determination to transform the countryside are all blatantly telling you what the film is about. "Mr. Donkey" is a satirical film about the political situation at the time, and even the character settings and identities of each person have meaning.

Wu Yuchen quickly offered a defense:
"Director Gu, my background is from the Republican era, and it's a satire of the Tongmenghui (Revolutionary Alliance) at that time. It shouldn't cross our current lines, right?"

This aspect definitely cannot be changed; it is the greatest charm and artistic essence of the script "Mr. Donkey." Changing it would make it mediocre.

At this moment, Old Mrs. Ruan spoke up: "Little Wu, your movie will be finished next year, so think about what it will be the year after next?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen thought for a moment, "If it's filmed next year, 96, then it will be released in 97, the year after next, when Hong Kong Island will be returned to China. The return of Hong Kong Island is also a demonstration and proof from the higher authorities to Taiwan."

Wu Yuchen finally understood. Taiwan is still part of the Tongmenghui (Revolutionary Alliance), and at this time, "Mr. Donkey" is using all sorts of satirical articles to mock their ancestors... Old Mrs. Ruan and Director Gu's sensitivity is far beyond Wu Yuchen's; they immediately grasped the underlying meaning.

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen sighed inwardly. Indeed, any film or cultural creation is inseparable from the influence of the current situation!

At this point, Director Gu also said, "Your film 'Mr. Donkey' might not be unfilmable, but our movie channel is not suitable for investing in this kind of film at the moment, do you understand?"

Wu Yuchen nodded. What if the broadcast displeases someone in a higher position? Who will take responsibility?
It seems that the "Mr. Donkey" project will be put on hold for the time being.

Then Director Gu picked up the script of "The Two of Us" from the three books: "This one is pretty good. The story is simple, so there is no problem with the audience not understanding it. Moreover, the emotions are warm and simple, and it is also very educational, calling on us to pay attention to the problem of lonely elderly people."

Wu Yuchen nodded repeatedly in agreement, thinking to himself that Director Gu was indeed worthy of being a person within the system, having chosen "We Two," the most stable and upright of the three in terms of subject matter and style. Fortunately, he was prepared; "We Two" wasn't bad either, as long as they could fund its production.

Then Wu Yuchen tentatively asked, "Director Gu, I wonder when..."

Director Gu smiled and said, "This can't be rushed. It's not something I can decide on my own to produce a movie. I still need to show your script to other people in the next few days, and then we'll have a meeting to make a decision. I can't guarantee you the final outcome right now."

"Yes, then I'll leave it to Director Gu!"

"It's nothing. Seeing these three scripts of yours today is a real treat for my eyes! Xiao Wu, you should cherish your talent. As long as you don't get too stubborn, you have a bright future ahead of you!" Director Gu encouraged.

"I still need more practice, and I can't do without the care and guidance of Teacher Ruan and Director Gu!"

Wu Yuchen spoke politely, but he also understood that Director Gu's words contained a warning.

After leaving the movie channel's office building, Grandma Ruan pulled Wu Yuchen aside and said earnestly:

"Xiao Wu, your book 'Mr. Donkey' is really well written! From your 'Cart 44' onwards, it was clear that you were good at creating satirical works, and this book 'Mr. Donkey' is even better."

I know you're talented, and I know artists yearn for creative freedom, but the current situation is what it is. Film, as a form of cultural dissemination, can be large or small, and it definitely needs strict control. You absolutely mustn't go against the tide. Look at Teacher Tian from your Beijing Film Studio—what a pity!"

Grandma Ruan's words of concern were much more direct than Director Gu's earlier. The "Teacher Tian" she mentioned was Tian Zhuangzhuang of Beijing Film Studio, who was banned from directing for 10 years in 92 for his film "The Blue Kite"—a very severe punishment. Those were the 10 years a director should be at his most mature and peak!

Wu Yuchen sensed the sincerity in Grandma Ruan's words and, holding her hand earnestly, said:
"Don't worry, Ms. Ruan, I'm definitely careful about this. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought three scripts with me today. I won't touch the script for 'Mr. Donkey' until it's ready to be filmed. Thank you for your concern!"

Grandma Ruan smiled and nodded upon seeing this, not wanting such a talented young man to actually go astray.

Wu Yuchen thought that "Mr. Donkey" could wait for a year or two. After Hu Jintao was re-elected next year, and after a few years of more outrageous independent remarks, the higher-ups should be completely disappointed. At that time, there should be no more worries about the progress of "Mr. Donkey".

(End of this chapter)