Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 156 Brother, someone wants to harm you
As the sun set, three Chinese directors sat in Nikki Restaurant near the Carlton InterContinental.

Lou Ye from the sixth generation, Jiang Wen from an unknown generation, and Lu Kuan who claims to be from the new generation.

We often talk about the fifth and sixth generation of directors.

To be precise, the sixth generation of directors referred to by the domestic literary and art circles generally refers to a group of people who entered the Beijing Film Academy to study in the mid-to-late 20s and began their directing career after the 80s.

Because of the historical background in which this group of people grew up, the sixth generation is the one most willing to express their decadent nature and desire for free will.

Lou Ye is from the class of 85 of the Directing Department of the Beijing Film Academy, and definitely belongs to the sixth generation.

As for Jiang Wen, his age and career experience are rather awkward.

If you say he is the fifth generation, then he is too old. If you say he is the sixth generation, he himself will not admit it.

He felt that those sixth generation people were just complaining without any reason all day long and he was ashamed to be associated with them.

Boss Lu took a unique approach and raised the banner of commercial films before Zhang Yimou in this life. He can only be considered the seventh generation, or the new generation as he himself called it.

Among the three, Jiang Wen and Lu Kuan met for the first time. After a few pleasantries, they quickly became friendly.

"Come on! Brothers, let's have a drink!"

Jiang Wen was very aware of being the host and took the initiative to raise the glass at the beginning.

The mountains are high and the roads are long, so you really can't buy Chinese liquor here.

The three of them drank French Remy Martin cognac, but the alcohol content of over 40% was not satisfying at all.

"Hey everyone, this two-Michelin-starred restaurant is the best place to eat. If you're not full, keep asking for more! I'll give you as much as you want!"

"Yeah, eat something first. I'm hungry."

Without even looking up, Boss Lu held the oysters in his left hand, added a few drops of lemon juice or red wine vinegar to them, then picked them up by the roots with the small fork in his right hand and put them into his mouth along with the juice.

Delicious flavor to your lips and teeth!

He has been very busy these days. Can Bingbing let him go at night?

It’s time to work harder.

"Old Jiang, eat it now, or the guide will eat it all!"

Jiang Wen also looked at this long-famous young director with amusement.

The film was indeed well-made and the person seemed easy-going. He couldn't understand why Yanzi, Huayi Xiaolei and the others had a grudge against Lu Kuan?
The last time I had dinner with Han Shanping, I tried to trip him up like this.

"Old Jiang, how many years do you have left?"

Boss Lu almost spit out his wine. These sixth generation people have nothing else to talk about when they get together.

They are all like cellmates, the first thing they ask you is how many years you have left, referring to the years you will be officially banned from directing.

"Me? Soon, I'll be out in 2005! Haha."

Jiang Wen was not in a hurry at all. If he couldn't direct the show openly, he could just find a puppet, especially a weak one like Lu Tailang.

"Director Lou, stop asking about others and focus on yourself!"

Lou Ye smiled bitterly and clinked glasses with Lu Kuan, saying, "Don't mention it, it's all in the wine."

Anything produced by Lou Ye must be a banned item, and this is not just talk.

In 2000, "Suzhou River" participated in the film festival without permission and was banned.

In 2008's "Summer Palace", not only was he sentenced to 5 years by the General Administration, but it also caused Hao Lei to be banned and break up with her boyfriend Deng Chao.

This year's "Purple Butterfly" can be regarded as his first film since his comeback. He was about to go down that wrong path again, but was persuaded by investors.

Jiang Wen sighed silently: "If we say that we are all out of date, then the director should be someone like Xiaolu, who has both wealth and fame. How great it is!"

Boss Lu smiled noncommittally, not finding any truth to what Lao Jiang said.

Jiang Wen was indeed a little exhausted. Like Lou Ye, he used to pursue his artistic ideals with perseverance.

He was very opinionated when he was an actor. When filming Red Sorghum, he argued with Zhang Yimou and made the latter very angry.

Last year, he participated in the sixth-generation director Zhang Yuan's "Green Tea", acting with Yan Zi, and became the local tyrant in the play.

It is said that Jiang Wen was arrogant and conceited in the crew, and looked down on Zhang Yuan from the bottom of his heart.

He often sneaked behind the monitor to launch surprise attacks and teased Zhang Yuan: "Do you know why this shot was shot like this? Do you know why I acted like this?"

Zhang Yuan was not good at speaking, so Jiang Wen laughed heartily at Zhang Yuan's hesitancy.

His directing career was banned, and some directors who thought they couldn't control him dared not ask him to film a movie again.

Only China Film Group and Lao Han Film Studio could accommodate him, and they let him star in "Heroes of Heaven and Earth", which was completed two months ago and is scheduled to be released in September.

Jiang Wen praised Lu Kuan, and Lou Ye didn't dare to disagree, but his ideas and spiritual core in film were contrary to Lu Kuan's.

He is a staunch supporter of the auteur theory.

"Who wouldn't envy Director Lu? He became famous at a young age, but when it comes to movies, I still think he has to stick to his own way."

"I like to shoot emotions. Emotions are always bigger than stories. I've seen director Lu's Whiplash, which is great, but it doesn't fully amplify emotions."

"The emotions in your film serve the plot, the box office, and the Hollywood structure."

Lu Kuan opened his mouth to say something, looked at Jiang Wen, and then raised his wine glass with a smile.

“Seek common ground while reserving differences, seek common ground while reserving differences.”

Lou Ye is a private person who keeps a low profile and rarely speaks on social media.

He doesn't participate in variety shows, doesn't write an autobiography, and rarely makes public appearances except to promote his works.

He said this purely from the heart to express his creative ideas, unlike those film critics who criticize for the sake of criticizing and spout offrageous words on social media.

Lu Kuan didn't feel the need to argue with him.

He could have exaggerated the plight and crisis situation of Chinese-language films, emphasizing the importance of using commercial blockbusters to lead industry changes and attract audiences to theaters.

But what does it mean to Lou Ye?

Lu Kuan had seen an interview with his wife in his previous life, in which she said that Lou Ye was the first old farmer.

He goes to work in the fields at dawn, doesn't care what he eats, shaves his head, and is always the least noticeable one in the crowd.

Everyone has their own aspirations, and there is no need to force everyone to submit to your ideas.

Lu Kuan only cares about making his own money and playing with other people's women. He is not so competitive that he has to convince others to agree with him.

The market and the audience will teach them this lesson.

Lou Ye was not a person without emotional intelligence. Seeing that there was some awkwardness, he stopped talking about the movie and instead talked about some interesting things in the circle.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable dinner for both the guests and the hosts.

After the meal, they split into two groups. Lu Kuan and Jiang Wen, who lived in the Carlton InterContinental, went back together.

Jiang Wen laughed and said, "Director Lu, I've always heard that you're a flashy, arrogant, and aggressive person, and you're also very aggressive online."

"Why are you so low-key tonight? I was hoping to see some good show."

Lu Kuan looked at him in surprise. He seemed to be paying some attention to him and even knew that I was an internet troll.

"Director Lou is a pure filmmaker. There's no point in arguing with him. We should all just make our own films."

Jiang Wen secretly praised him in her heart. She always heard Zhao Yanzi and Xiao Wang say how arrogant and rude he was and how he looked down on others. It seemed that he was not the case.

He suddenly remembered Zhao Yanzi's story of seeking Lu Kuan's fortune-telling. So...

"Guide, can we have another cup of coffee in the Carlton lobby?"

"Okay, I also have something I want to talk to Director Jiang about."

Lou Ye was present just now, so he couldn't directly bring up the matter of voting for the award. Jiang Wen took the initiative to offer it to him, so there was no reason for Boss Lu to refuse.

The two chatted in the booth, each with their own thoughts. Neither of them spoke directly, but they both knew there would be more to come. Jiang Wenxian couldn't help himself.

"Director Lu, I have a personal request."

"please say."

"Oh! This is a bit difficult to talk about. It's about a friend of mine, Liu Xiaoqing, whom you must know. She is currently being held in Xiaotangshan."

"I begged and pleaded with everyone to help me a while ago, but I failed at the last moment. It seems that she is about to come out."

"I want you to take a look at her, after this..."

Boss Lu took a sip of cold lemonade and looked at the romantic leisurely.

"Director Jiang, just tell me straight up, let me calculate it for her or something!"

"Oh! You're so straightforward, brother. I know you might be avoiding this right now and have been too embarrassed to bring it up, haha."

Jiang Wen was not pretentious. She went to the bar to ask for paper and pen and provided Boss Lu with the materials for his charlatan skills.

Lu Kuan is also willing to accept good advice, but he is afraid that you, Jiang Wen, are arrogant and aloof and will not listen to any advice.

Since we all need each other, let's talk business seriously.

Lu Kuan fiddled with it for a while and then put down the pen and paper.

"The moon pillar's food god generates wealth, the Haizi seal star nourishes the body and moistens the dryness without hurting the food god, and the double Yi in the heavenly stems robs wealth and generates food without taking away wealth."

Seeing Jiang Wen staring at him, he smiled and explained: "You will have no worries in the second half of your life. Just wait for it to get better."

Liu Xiaoqing was released from prison on August 2003, 8, and then sought to make a comeback.

Although it is difficult to reproduce the prosperous business of the past, it can be considered that we have achieved what we wanted.

"That's good! That's good!"

"Hey, Director Xiaolu, is there anything else you can reveal or offer some guidance?"

Jiang Wen was a little skeptical at the moment, because Lu Kuan didn't say much concrete things, so he was dismissed with just one good word?
As mentioned earlier, Lu Kuan had made a public relations plan for Fan after his house collapsed in his previous life, which was actually based on Liu's template to a certain extent.

The similarity between the two is very high.

Judging from Jiang Wen's attitude, he is determined to help his ex-girlfriend turn things around.

If I don't tell him everything today, this romantic guy won't let me go.

"Ms. Liu's release from prison is important, but the subsequent public relations measures are key."

I haven't been involved in public relations business for a long time, so I'm still a little strange and not used to the wide road.

"How to say?"

Jiang Wen was very curious. Everyone had their own strengths. He knew a little about movies and performances, and he also had a group of close friends.

But a well-known director like Lu Kuan in the circle can easily make a 15-year-old amateur girl step into the first-line.

He was unique among the people he knew.

Those old-timers can no longer keep up with the times.

This question was an open-book test for Lu Kuan, and the solution he gave Fan was based on Liu Xiaoqing's.

It’s just that Fan did something stupid and there’s no hope for him to make a comeback.

How did this first-generation heroine do it?
First, an interview with an authoritative media outlet.

Later in October 2003, Liu Xiaoqing gave an exclusive interview to Phoenix TV, which covers both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong and Macau, and spoke to society and the public.

She was looking for Wu Xiaoli, then deputy director of Phoenix TV.

This is an old man who works in the news field. He used to interview people who could change the direction of policies.

This is an interview, but also a statement.

Liu said that the glory of his first half of life was due to the opportunities brought about by the reform and opening up. He went astray and failed to recognize the changes in the market and the improvement of laws and regulations.

The next step is to admit the mistake and then repay the debt.

Still owe the country a debt.

As a result, just two years later, she paid off her debts and regained her eligibility for the award.

That year he won the title of "One of the 50 Outstanding Film Artists in the 100 Years of National Cinema".

Her "The Lotus Lantern" was also broadcast on CCTV, which means that she was completely lifted from the ban and returned to the center of the stage!

What did Fan do?

She simply posted a long apology on Weibo, and then avoided mainstream attention, appearing on magazine covers and fashion shows everywhere, showing no intention of staying quiet at all.

She began to devote herself to charity, went to the Northwest to bring warmth, attended business events, and was awarded the annual charity figure by Sohu.

She was also busy trying to attract attention in the fashion circle, appearing in the Korean version of "Red Show", the Malaysian version of "Marie Claire", and the Vietnamese version of "Harper's Bazaar".

By the way, she also sent lawyer's letters to some Weibo writers and entertainment reporters who slandered her, and collected symbolic compensation from them.

Seeing that things were not going well, she began to praise her younger brother, which seemed to imply that he was joining the army in his sister's place.

Putting aside the factors of the times, the difference between the two lies in their pattern and cognition.

Liu saw it very clearly, so she turned down all business other than acting and stopped all opportunities to appear on screen outside of the play.

She re-entered the audience's vision as a pure actor, with no makeup on.

She took a low-key role in the state-owned film "Heroic Sons and Daughters of Yongle", playing supporting roles to Bao Jianfeng and Liu Tao, who had never even touched her heels before.

He was paid 50 yuan a day and occasionally played other guest roles in Hengdian.

Whether it was acting or not is unknown to outsiders, but the gesture was very thorough.

Of course, some crews are afraid to use her, fearing that she will be banned again and affect the work, but who knows if this is a good value for money!
There are risks but the rewards are huge, this is the first generation of top-tier streaming!
For her, the work is 1 and everything else is 0. Smart people know how to grasp the main contradiction.

Fan did the exact opposite and grabbed a handful of zeros.

It can be said that Liu has been planning his comeback since he was in prison.

She has been constantly sending a signal to the outside world: I am not wronged, I deserve it, and I want to turn over a new leaf.

In prison, she read classics, learned English, and exercised. After she was released from prison, she gave up her high profile and commercial hype, broke herself down, and started over.

In her first interview after the ordeal, Bingbing tearfully spoke about the injustices her boyfriend Li Chen and brother suffered because of her.

He also instructed the interviewing reporter to use a long article to highlight her.

Then he posted a Weibo:
"Try to live strong."

What is this called? This is called holding grudges, which is a big taboo.

Bingbing, you are confused!

Boss Lu made a penetrating analysis of the situation and major contradictions that Lao Jiang's ex-lover would face after being released from prison.

It also provides a very practical implementation plan, including support from public opinion.

This support, of course, comes from Blog.net.

I have a friend named Zhuang, he is the president of Blog.com...

Jiang Wen slapped his thigh and shook Boss Lu's hand hard!
"Xiaolu, what you said makes so much sense! You've really helped my brother a lot!"

Lao Jiang was also a very particular person. He took a sip of water to suppress his excitement and said something to Lu Kuan that left him dumbfounded.

"Brother, someone asked me to harm you!"

(End of this chapter)