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Chapter 136 Southern Anhui

"Director Li, we're almost there," Assistant Director Xiao Chen said in a low voice as he approached.

Li Jun opened his eyes and looked out the window.

In the darkness, the outline of the mountains was faintly visible, like the spine of a giant beast.

There are scattered lights in the distance; those must be villages.

"Is your accommodation arranged?" he asked.

"alright."

Xiao Chen nodded.

"As you suggested, instead of staying in a hotel, we rented several old houses in the village. The conditions were simple, but they were close to the filming location and had a better atmosphere."

Li Jun hummed in agreement and said nothing more.

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of a village.

The rain was still falling, and the fine raindrops looked like countless silver threads under the car headlights.

Someone came over with an umbrella; it was the village's Party Secretary, in his fifties, with dark skin and a simple, honest smile.

"Director Li, welcome! You must be tired from your journey!"

Li Jun got out of the car and shook hands with him: "Thank you for waiting for us so late."

"No trouble at all!"

The Party Secretary greeted them warmly.

"The rooms are all cleaned and the bedding is freshly aired. Come on, I'll take you there."

The group, dragging their luggage, followed the village secretary into the village.

The village road is paved with bluestone slabs, which shine after being soaked by the rain, reflecting the light of the lanterns hanging under the eaves on both sides.

The houses are all in the Hui-style architectural style, with white walls, black tiles, and staggered gable walls.

It was late at night, and most houses had already turned off their lights, with only a few windows still letting in a warm yellow light.

Li Jun was assigned to live in an old house at the east end of the village.

The house is quite old, with a wooden structure and carved window frames. In the courtyard, there is a blue stone water vat, where rainwater falls and ripples spread out.

The room was on the second floor and wasn't very big.

An old-fashioned wooden bed, a desk, and a chair.

Outside the window, the mountain shadows are dark.

Li Jun put down his luggage and walked to the window.

The rain pattered softly, mingled with the distant barking of dogs.

The air was filled with the smell of damp earth and the fresh scent of grass and trees.

He took out his phone and texted Zhang Liangying: "Arrived, everything went smoothly."

A few minutes later, a reply came: "That's good. Is it raining in southern Anhui?"

"Down, keep down."

"Remember to wear more clothes so you don't catch a cold."

"The same to you."

Li Jun felt a warmth in his heart.

In this unfamiliar village, on a rainy night, knowing that someone cares about you is a real comfort.

He washed up and lay down. The bed was hard, and the blankets smelled of sunshine.

The sound of rain outside the window was like a lullaby, and he quickly fell asleep.

He saw Lin Shen painting.

It's not done with a brush, but with your finger dipped in ink, applied to the rice paper.

The ink spread, turning into mountains, water, and clouds.

Then the scene burst into flames, and even in the firelight, the mountains and rivers remained clearly visible.

The rain stopped early the next morning.

Li Jun was awakened by the chirping of birds.

I opened the window; the morning mist hadn't dissipated yet, and the entire village was shrouded in a milky white fog.

The distant mountains are faintly visible, while the nearby black tiles are damp and glistening.

When he went downstairs, there were already people in the courtyard.

Master Li was squatting by the water vat, putting a few duckweed leaves into it.

Good morning, Master Li.

Li Jun greeted him.

Good morning, Director Li!

Master Li stood up and patted the dirt off his hands.

"This place is really nice, it has a special charm. Look at this water vat, this moss, these roof tiles, they're all ready-made scenery."

"How's the studio setup going?"

"That's about it."

Master Li said.

"It's in that old house at the west end of the village. It used to be a private school, and the layout is just right. I set up the painting table and writing implements overnight, and hung several antique-style paintings on the wall. When Teacher Xie arrives, he can use it right away."

Just then, Xiao Chen ran in: "Director Li, Teacher Xie and Teacher Qin have arrived. Their car has just reached the village entrance."

Li Jun and Master Li went out together to pick them up.

A minivan was parked at the entrance of the village.

Nicholas Tse came down first, wearing a gray cotton and linen long shirt and carrying a canvas bag. His beard was longer than the last time I saw him, and he looked much thinner.

Qin Hailu followed behind, without makeup, wearing a navy blue cheongsam jacket, her hair tied in a low bun, exuding a gentle and graceful temperament.

"Director Li, Master Li."

Nicholas Tse greeted him with a smile.

"The journey must have been tiring."

Li Jun shook hands with them. "Your accommodations are all arranged. Shall we rest for a bit?"

"Need not."

Qin Hailu said.

"I want to go check out the location first and get a feel for it."

"Me too."

Nicholas Tse nodded.

"Let's go straight to the art studio."

The group walked towards the west end of the village.

The morning mist is dissipating, and sunlight is shining through the gaps in the clouds onto the bluestone path.

Early risers lit stoves at their doorsteps, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys.

An elderly man sat on the doorstep smoking a pipe, watching the group of strangers with curiosity.

The private courtyard where the art studio is located is indeed a good place.

The building has three bays, with a central hall and side rooms on the left and right.

Master Li had set up the main hall as a studio—with a large painting table in the center, covered with a felt mat;

On the table were a brush holder, an inkstone, Xuan paper, and paints;

Several bookshelves stood against the wall, filled with thread-bound books;

There is a zither table under the window, with a guqin (a seven-stringed zither) on it.

The most wonderful thing is the light.

The east-facing windows were large, and the morning sunlight slanted in, casting patterns of window frames on the blue brick floor. Dust motes danced in the beams of light.

Xie Tingfeng walked in, stood in front of the painting table, reached out and touched the texture of the Xuan paper, then picked up a brush and weighed it in his hand.

"How is it?" Li Jun asked.

"Okay." Nicholas Tse said only one word, but his eyes were bright.

Qin Hailu walked to the window and looked out at the courtyard.

There is an old plum tree in the courtyard. It is not yet time for it to bloom. Its branches are gnarled and twisted, casting a faint shadow in the morning light.

"Wanrong should stand here often,"

She said softly.

"Wait for my husband to finish his painting, or wait for news of the war."

Li Jun's heart skipped a beat.

An actor often begins to get into character from such a moment.

"Master Li."

Nicholas Tse suddenly said.

"Could you give me some scrap paper? I'd like to practice my writing."

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Yes, yes, yes.

Master Li quickly brought over a stack of practice papers.

Xie Tingfeng sat down at the painting table, spread out the paper, ground the ink, and picked up the brush.

He didn't start writing immediately, but instead closed his eyes and sat quietly for a moment, seemingly adjusting his breathing.

Then, he opened his eyes, dipped his brush in ink, and began to write.

He wasn't drawing; he was writing. He was writing the two characters "山河" (mountains and rivers).

The brushstrokes are vigorous, and the ink tones are varied and nuanced. While it may not be considered fine calligraphy, it possesses a simple and unpretentious strength.

After he finished writing, he put down his pen, stared at the two characters, and remained silent for a long time.

Li Jun walked over and looked at it too.

The ink on the Xuan paper, still wet, gleamed faintly in the morning light.

What was Lin Shen thinking when he wrote?

Nicholas Tse suddenly asked.

"I want to see the real mountains and rivers."

Li Jun said.

"Think of the mountains and rivers being destroyed by gunfire, think of the mountains and rivers he can only rebuild on paper."

Xie Tingfeng nodded and spread out another piece of paper.

This time, he didn't write any words, but instead drew a few simple lines: the outline of the rocks and the flow of water.

His movements were slow, each stroke carefully considered.

It wasn't the skill of the technique that was remarkable, but rather the immersion in the art studio that brought the entire space to a quiet.

Qin Hailu also came over and stood beside him, watching.

The sunlight gradually rose higher, moving from the east window into the courtyard.

The shadow of the plum tree moved slowly across the blue brick ground.

Li Jun didn't disturb them and quietly slipped out.

Standing at the entrance of the private studio, he saw Xiao Chen leading other staff members to set up the filming location for tomorrow.

The lighting crew was setting up equipment, and the art crew was adjusting the furnishings; everything was proceeding smoothly.

Master Li followed him out and handed him a cigarette.

Li Jun answered, and the two squatted on the threshold to smoke.

"Teacher Xie is in good condition."

Master Li said.

"Um."

Li Jun exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Teacher Qin too."

"This film will be a success."

Master Li looked at the mountains in the distance.

"I have a feeling."

Li Jun didn't say anything, he just watched a yellow dog walk slowly along the village road, its tail wagging.

After finishing his cigarette, he stood up and said, "I'm going to check out the other scenes."

Filming officially began three days later.

The weather forecast said the next week would be sunny, so Li Jun decided to make the most of the time and start filming the indoor scenes first.

The first scene is Lin Shen teaching students in his art studio.

This scene is set early in the film, showcasing Lin Shen's daily life as a painter and teacher, and also setting the stage for the subsequent outbreak of war.

At five o'clock in the morning, the film crew took their positions.

A camera was set up in the studio, and the lighting technician was adjusting the lighting effects to simulate the natural light of early morning.

Nicholas Tse and the young actor playing a student are rehearsing their lines.

The actor's name is Zhou Xiao. He just graduated from drama school, and this is his first movie. He was so nervous that his palms were sweating.

"Don't be nervous." Nicholas Tse patted his shoulder. "Just treat it like a real class."

Zhou Xiao nodded and took a deep breath.

At six o'clock, everything was ready.

Li Jun sat behind the monitor, watching the screen.

The studio was decorated with a lively atmosphere. Unfinished paintings were laid out on the easel, scrolls were piled in the corner, books on the bookshelf were a bit crooked, and the asparagus fern on the windowsill was growing very well.

All of this is thanks to Master Li; details determine the realism.

"Actors in position."

Li Jun spoke through the walkie-talkie.

Xie Tingfeng sat down at the painting table, with Zhou Xiao standing beside him.

"Scene 1, Shot 1 of 'Dreams of Mountains and Rivers,' action!"

The clapperboard clicked.

The camera first zooms in from outside the window, and through the windowpane, it reveals the scene inside the art studio.

Then it moved slowly and landed on Tse Ting-feng.

He was holding a pen and demonstrating the brushstroke technique on paper.

He moved slowly and deliberately, explaining as he drew: "Texturing is not simply about depicting, but about feeling."

You need to feel the texture of the mountain, the quality of the stone, and then let the brushstrokes follow that feeling. Like this.

He drew short, quick strokes on the paper, the ink gradually lightening from dark to light.

The student, played by Zhou Xiao, looked at it intently and then asked, "Teacher, but real mountains are much more complex than this."

Xie Tingfeng put down his pen, looked up at him, and said with a deep calm in his eyes: "So you have to learn to make choices."

Painting mountains isn't about depicting every single rock or tree, but about capturing the spirit and essence of the mountain, your understanding of it.

He paused, looking out the window in the direction of the artillery effects that would be added later: "Perhaps one day, the real mountain will disappear. But as long as you remember its spirit, you can bring it back to life on paper."

"Cut!"

Li Jun called a halt.

The image freezes on Nicholas Tse's profile.

The morning light shone through the window onto his face, half bright and half dark, and there was an indescribable sadness in his eyes.

Everyone in front of the monitor held their breath.

After a few seconds, Li Jun said, "Passed."

A soft cheer erupted from the audience. The first take went smoothly, a good omen.

Nicholas Tse stood up from the painting table, walked behind the monitor, and watched the playback with Li Jun.

"here."

Li Jun pointed to the screen.

When you said "rebirth," a glimmer of hope appeared in your eyes, but it vanished in an instant. Very well, that's it. Lin Shen knew he was deceiving himself, but he had to believe in this self-deception.

Nicholas Tse nodded: "What I understand is that he is both clear-headed and stubborn."

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"right."

Li Jun said.

"Clearly aware that the country is shattered, yet stubbornly determined to rebuild it on paper. This contradiction is the core of the character."

Next, we filmed several shots from different angles.

Zhou Xiao gradually relaxed and became more and more natural.

In one scene, he tries to copy Lin Shen's painting, but he can't get it right, so he gets so angry that he throws his brush down.

Xie Tingfeng walked over, picked up the pen, laid out the paper again, and taught him step by step.

This scene has no dialogue, only actions and eye contact.

Xie Tingfeng grasped Zhou Xiao's hand and guided him in wielding the pen.

Both of their hands were trembling slightly; Zhou Xiao's trembling was due to frustration, while Xie Tingfeng's trembling was due to a kind of compassionate patience.

The camera zooms in, giving a close-up of the hand.

A brush and two hands move slowly across the rice paper.

The ink spread, gradually forming the outline of a mountain.

Li Jun watched from behind the monitor and suddenly remembered the first time he learned to make a movie.

The instructor held his hand and taught him how to hold the camera, how to compose a shot, and how to move the camera.

At that moment, he understood the meaning of inheritance: it was not the transmission of skills, but the passing on of a spirit.

"Cut! This one's good, keep one."

Filming went smoothly. By noon, five scenes had been completed.

We had lunch in the village; the village secretary's wife cooked some country-style dishes.

Braised pork with dried bamboo shoots, stir-fried wild vegetables, chicken soup, and rice. Everyone sat around in the courtyard to eat, the warm sunshine shining on them.

Nicholas Tse and Qin Hailu sat together, eating and discussing the afternoon's filming in hushed tones.

They had developed a certain understanding; a single glance or gesture was enough for them to understand each other.

Li Jun observed this and felt reassured. The chemistry between actors is something a director can neither control nor fully anticipate.

There is a one-hour rest period after the meal.

Li Jun returned to his old house, intending to take a short rest.

But lying in bed, I couldn't fall asleep; my mind was filled with the images I had just filmed.

He simply got up, opened his laptop, and looked at the post-production progress report for "Looper".

Carter's email said that the special effects were 80% complete, the soundtrack was being recorded, Villeneuve was very satisfied with the rough cut, and they planned to start the fine cut next month.

Meanwhile, news came from the Toronto International Film Festival that "Looper" was selected as the "closing film screening," which, although not in the competition section, is still an important opportunity for exposure.

At the end of the email, Carter asked, "Li, when will the promotional plan for the China region be finalized? We need to prepare the materials in advance."

Li Jun replied: "I'll give you the first draft next week. Also, I'd like to add a special project to the China region, inviting several contemporary artists to create works based on the time philosophy of 'Looper', which will be exhibited at the premiere."

,

I had just sent the email when my phone rang. It was Yuan Tao.

"Li Jun, there's something I need to tell you." Yuan Tao's tone was somewhat serious.