Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

"There are rumors that your mother also made a cameo appearance on set. Is that true?"

Tang Yan was taken aback by the question, but then readily admitted, "It's true. After my mother recovered, she wanted to come and see me at work. When Director Zhang found out, he invited her to play a small role in a teahouse play. For me, it was a special gift—my mother was in my first film."

Her answer was sincere and natural, without a trace of pretense. Reporters took notes, and Tang Yan's eyes, captured on camera, were so pure that it was impossible to associate her with those sordid rumors.

After the open day ended, Zhang Yu's public relations team acted swiftly. That evening, a meticulously edited behind-the-scenes video was released on various platforms, fully showcasing the professionalism of the film's production and Tang Yan's hard work and progress in her acting.

Meanwhile, several authoritative film and television media outlets published set visit reports, highlighting the production quality of "Awakening of Insects" and the professional performances of the actors. One report stated: "In an era where traffic is paramount, the 'Awakening of Insects' production team has chosen to return to the essence of acting. Newcomer Tang Yan's performance is a pleasant surprise; her eyes possess a long-lost sense of authenticity. Director Zhang Yu's vision has once again been proven."

Public opinion began to reverse.

……

Following the media open day, filming progressed smoothly. Tang Yan's performance became increasingly relaxed, and her fusion with the character deepened. She began to understand Zhang Yu's words: "When you become the character, acting is no longer acting, but instinct."

Late one night after filming wrapped, Tang Yan was in her hotel room studying the scenes for the next day when she suddenly received a call from Zhang Yu.

"Do you have time? Let's talk."

She went to Zhang Yu's room and found him watching footage. On the screen were clips of her performances at different stages.

"Look, this is your performance from the first day, and this is now." Zhang Yu compared the two videos. "Can you see the difference?"

Tang Yan watched carefully. Although the initial performance was earnest, traces of "acting" could be seen; while the recent performance was natural and smooth, as if Lin Wan had stepped out of the script.

“You’ve grown up very quickly,” Zhang Yu said, turning off the screen. “So fast it surprises me.”

"It's all thanks to your excellent guidance," Tang Yan said sincerely.

Zhang Yu shook his head: "Guidance is just an external factor. The real change comes from within. Tang Yan, you remind me of... a friend from a long time ago."

There was a hint of nostalgia in his voice. Tang Yan keenly sensed that this "friend" might be more than just a friend.

“She was also an actress, very talented, but she encountered bad directors and companies when she was young, was exploited and taken advantage of, which eventually wore down her talent and caused her to disappear from the entertainment industry.” Zhang Yu’s voice was very soft. “When I first met you, I saw the same light in your eyes, and I also saw the same vulnerability. I don’t want the same thing to happen again.”

Tang Yan was touched. She finally understood that Zhang Yu's special care for her was not only because of her acting potential, but also because of an unfinished regret.

"What happened to that friend later?"

"She changed careers, got married, had children, and is living a normal life." Zhang Yu smiled. "Occasionally, when I see old movies on TV, I think of what she looked like when she was young. Sometimes I wonder, if someone had given her a hand back then, if she had encountered better opportunities, would Chinese cinema have had one more outstanding actress?"

The room fell silent. Outside the window, the Shanghai night view shone like a sea of ​​stars, while the two people inside remained silent at the intersection of light and shadow.

"Director Zhang, I will cherish this opportunity," Tang Yan finally broke the silence, "not only for myself, but also for... the regret of your friend."

Zhang Yu looked at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Tang Yan, the path in the entertainment industry is difficult. Even if this movie succeeds, even if you become famous because of it, there will be many more challenges ahead. The game of capital, the exchange of interests, the test of human nature... Are you ready?"

"I don't know," Tang Yan said honestly, "but I know that without your help, I wouldn't even have the chance to stand at the starting line. So no matter what, I will persevere."

Zhang Yu nodded, seemingly having made a decision: "After the filming of the movie is finished, if you'd like, you can sign with my company. It's not charity, it's an investment—I'm optimistic about your future."

This was a solemn promise. Tang Yan knew that in the entertainment industry, a director's personal favor might be temporary, but a contract with a company was a long-term guarantee.

“I will seriously consider it, Director Zhang.”

"No need to rush to answer," Zhang Yu said. "After filming, take a break and think carefully about what you want. Remember, in this industry, knowing what you want is more important than what you get."

As Tang Yan left after the conversation, she paused at the door and said, "Director Zhang, thank you. Not just for all the opportunities and help, but also because...you made me believe that idealism still exists in this industry."

The door closed softly. Zhang Yu stood by the window, gazing at the Shanghai nightscape, a complex mix of emotions welling up within him. His rebirth had given him a second chance, not just in his career, but also an opportunity to make amends and protect what he had missed.

And Tang Yan is the chapter he most wants to write well in this new story.

……

The last day of filming at Shanghai Film Park coincided with the first cold rain of late autumn.

The final scene of "Awakening of Insects" is Lin Wan's monologue in the rain. There are no other actors, only Tang Yan standing alone on the restored Waibaidu Bridge in Shanghai, facing the camera to tell the confession of a woman of the era.

For this scene, Zhang Yu decided to use a single-take filming method, requiring the actor to complete the entire process from calm to outburst and then back to restraint within a three-minute and seventeen-second shot. The dialogue was eight hundred words long, and any mistake would require a retake.

"Scene 7, shot 3, first take!" The clapperboard fell.

In the rain, Tang Yan held up an oil-paper umbrella, the hem of her cheongsam already soaked. Gazing at the murky waters of the Huangpu River, she began to speak slowly:

“Many people ask me why I do such a dangerous thing. Wouldn’t it be better for a singer to sing and dance well, please the customers, save enough money to marry into a good family?” Her voice was calm, as if she were telling someone else’s story. “But I’ve seen too many ‘good families.’ They treat women like vases, decorations, tools for bearing children. This country is sick, sick to the core. If no one cures it, our daughters, and our daughters’ daughters, will continue to live the same lives…”

The rain intensified, and the oil-paper umbrella swayed in the wind. Tang Yan's tone gradually rose:

"Yes, I'm just a singer, not very well-educated, and don't understand any grand principles. But I know that people must live with dignity! A nation must have dignity! Seeing those invaders swaggering across our land, seeing my compatriots living like dogs, I can't turn a blind eye..."