I'm the director, I'm not bad

Chapter 555. Chapter 553.
Venice's food is mostly seafood.

At least it was the first time for Xu Xin to see someone selling fried skewers in a cafe...

A bucket of fried seafood, a piece of bread and a cup of condensed food is an unpretentious breakfast.

Everyone expressed their welcome to the extra foreign face in the team.After all, everyone's work content is different in Venice this time.

For the West Film Studio, they need to collect various evaluations of the film, select materials that can be used for domestic promotion, and sell the film at a good price abroad.For Director Xu, the most important thing is the movie.

This is an annual feast for filmmakers. There are so many excellent works here. As a colleague, it is only natural for Director Xu to want to catch all the movies.

So as long as the itinerary arranged by the factory is not delayed, Director Xu is Mondo.

Where to stay cool and where to stay.

After eating a fried seafood meal and drinking a cup of bitter concentrate, after coming out, Su Meng began to communicate with the people from "Southern Weekly" about the location of the interview.

Today's weather in Venice is very good, the wind is clear, the sky is sunny and the sun is pleasant.

The climate is also very comfortable.

When Su Meng asked Xu Xin if it was okay to arrange an interview in the hotel... He, who was always socially fearful, refused.

He wants to take a boat...

Because those punting buddies look especially interesting.

Moreover, when learning the text "Water City of Venice" in the text, it is said that they do not have vehicles and that boats are their means of transportation.

He wants to experience...

After I told Su Meng about this idea, Southern Weekly was a little embarrassed.

Because they are going to be recorded.

On a boat, the camera will be very shaky.

In the end, the two sides communicated for a while, and finally complied with Ai Qing's words:

"I know there is a coffee shop by the river, not far from the famous Venice scenic spot, the Aalto Bridge. It is very suitable for interviews, and the owner is my uncle, so he can provide an interview venue."

You see, it's easy to do things with local people.

After finally agreeing to meet at the Rialto Bridge, Xu Xin called Liu Yifei:

"Dudu...Hello?"

"Where have you been?"

"He's heading back... he should be entering the city."

"Okay, then we'll wait for you at the hotel entrance, and we still have to be interviewed."

"Okay."

Liu Yifei hung up the phone.

And Liu Xiaoli on the side also raised her head from the documents translated by Zhong Changyou in her hand:
"Xu Xin?"

"Ah."

Liu Yifei responded:
"Wait for me at the hotel. We're going to be interviewed later. Mom, are you tired? If not... come with me?"

"……okay."

Liu Xiaoli nodded, and finally stopped looking at these compliments to her daughter.

Instead, he set his sights on Venice outside the window.

In fact, she hadn't heard this sentence for a long, long time.

It is the phrase "come with me" from the daughter's mouth.

In the past, she was afraid that her daughter would learn badly, be bullied, or be immature, so she wished she could be by her side all the time.

Protect her, care for her, take care of her.

But I don't know when the relationship between mother and daughter has quietly changed.

She wanted to keep her daughter by her side more and more, but her daughter always wanted to run away from her.

I don't want to tell myself anything, and I always want to hide any itinerary from myself.

Now think about it... From the beginning of "Sculpture of God" to the stage before joining Mimi Company, the mother and daughter quarreled, fought coldly, and met as if they were enemies...

Liu Xiaoli really couldn't imagine how she got here.

Mingming felt nothing at the time, thinking that her daughter just didn't grow up.But thinking about it now... In fact, the problems during that time seemed to be bigger than my own.

And since her daughter joined Mimi's company, in all honesty, her coffee status hasn't improved much, and she even joined Mimi's work for two years.

But... After she left her world, her daughter gave her a different feeling.

The mother and daughter on the phone are more concerned about each other's health and warmth, and after meeting, they are as warm and dependent as they were when they were children.

The daughter was liberated, like a bird flying high.

And she was also liberated. After discovering that her daughter didn't need her, she also had her own freedom.

Even... at some point, she suddenly found that she began to care about her daughter's love affairs.

I used to avoid contact with the opposite sex like a snake and a scorpion, but now I really want it.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help asking:

"Is it true that there are no boys chasing you?... You are old enough, you can think about it."

"..."

The corner of Liu Yifei's mouth twitched.

"Mom...you were the one who didn't let me fall in love at the beginning, why are you the one urging me to fall in love now?"

"..."

Liu Xiaoli did not respond to these words.

Because she didn't know why she had such an idea.

but……

"I'm not urging you, but...you are so beautiful, so it's normal for someone to chase you? Look at Xiao Xu and Mimi, how cute those two children are~ Let me tell you, women get married earlier, earlier After giving birth, my body recovered very quickly. Look at me, I was already old when I gave birth to you, but my colleague in the group before, your Aunt Chen, she gave birth early, and now she looks younger."

"Mom, you are not old. I don't know how many people like you."

"Don't avoid the important and take the light, Mimi didn't say that you are forbidden to fall in love..."

"Oh, I don't want to be in love now either."

"You can try it, look at Xiao Xu and..."

"Oh mom!!!"

Liu Yifei was a little speechless.

"Can you stop using Xu Xin as an example..."

She paused:

"Those who don't know think you have a crush on Xu Xin!"

"If you can find someone like Xiao Xu, I won't worry about you for the rest of my life!"

Hearing this, Liu Xiaoli was even more speechless.

Facts have proved...Xiao Xu is really a good boy who is hard to find even with a lantern.

Don't talk about family background, just talk about this ability...

Take a look, what do the people in Venice praise him for?
How excellent is this ability?
And... the most important thing is the character of this child.

What a mess the entertainment industry is.

But if you look at others, apart from work, it is family, and I haven't heard any bad news since my debut.

This kind of child who is capable, can make parents feel at ease, and can also make the other half and parents feel at ease... Let alone holding a lantern, it is a child who can't find the sun...

Say something wrong.

Why can't I be cheap for my daughter.

Thinking of this, looking at the daughter who started pretending to be an ostrich again...

She inevitably sighed again:

"Ugh……"

And Liu Yifei didn't say a word, and the eyes under the sunglasses were also dazed.

Looking out the window, it was empty.

……

"Aunt Liu~"

"Hey, Xiao Xu~"

"Hahaha~"

Xu Xin greeted Liu Xiaoli with a smile.

In fairness, he agrees with that sentence on the Internet.

The beauty called Liu Yifei is inherited from her mother.

It's true.

A 50-year-old person still looks like a 40-year-old.

Whether it is temperament or appearance, beauty is somewhat contrary to common sense.

And it's been a long time since Liu Yifei joined Shuangwei, she fulfilled that agreement, and never had any thoughts of interfering with her daughter's career, so Xu Xin's impression of her slowly returned to the average line.

Unexpectedly, Liu Xiaoli nodded suddenly when she looked at him:
"He's getting more and more handsome."

"Uh……"

Xu Xin was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a smile:
"That's for sure, otherwise, if you stand beside your daughter and Lin Gou, you won't be killed in seconds?"

"Just say it, what are you doing with me~"

Lin Xunxin was speechless.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

While joking, Xu Xin asked Ai Qing to lead the way to the small pier where there are boats gathered, so to speak.

We have to take a boat to the Rialto Bridge.

"Have you read all the reviews?"

Walking side by side with Liu Yifei, Xu Xin asked.

"Look...hehe."

She couldn't help laughing too.

Obviously, the approval of the audience and the high score of the film brought a touch of relief to everyone's mood.

While laughing, she also said:

"There are a lot of compliments on you. It shouldn't be a problem to get the silver lion... Ah, bah bah bah, I'm sorry, I'm talking nonsense, I'm talking nonsense!"

She shook her head quickly:
"If you are hot, you will die! If you are hot, you will die!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Have you ever seen a fairy sister acting like a baby?
no.

Hey, I saw you today.

Xu Xin, Lin Gou, and even Liu Xiaoli were speechless when they saw their daughter suddenly having a convulsion.

Xu Xin really couldn't laugh or cry:
"As for what? So superstitious? Can't you be more confident? Didn't I tell that reporter yesterday? Everyone in the main competition unit has a chance, why can't it be us..."

"beep!"

Liu Yifei's fingers directly touched Xu Xin's lips.

It didn't touch, but it was very close.

"Shut up, don't talk nonsense, and apologize to God quickly! Children's words are not taboo, the wind blows away!"

"...and I don't believe in God."

"He is a local god, why don't you show some face?"

"Oh~ that's right. How do you draw the cross? First the head, and then how do you draw it?"

The two chatted there as if no one else was around.

Lin Juxin interrupted from time to time.

But Liu Xiaoli's expression gradually became weird.

Sissy's performance...

While thinking about it, she glanced at the corner of her daughter's mouth full of playful smiles...

After much deliberation, she chose to trust her daughter.

I should have thought too much.

……

"I've never been on this kind of boat before. Don't believe me. Think about it. I grew up in Shenmu. Although there is no shortage of water in our house, we don't have the extravagance to build an artificial lake for you. I've never sat in a boat that you mentioned that can go by pedaling. I want to try it, but Yang Mi said it was too naive and never let me sit..."

Sitting on the boat in the waterway of Venice, everyone felt relaxed while enjoying the exotic scenery, while comparing it with the domestic duck boat.

"It's tiring to kick that thing. Old Xu, believe me, you and Da Mi will sit on it once at most and you won't want to sit on it again. Do you know why?"

That is to say, I have known Lin Gou for a long time, otherwise Xu Xin might not understand the northeast dialect that he exposed from time to time.

"What?"

"Because you pedaled the boat by yourself. Da Mi is so virtuous, so she must think of ways to be lazy. Then you will be able to experience what it means to have cramps in your calves after pedaling."

"...experienced."

"Ling Gou saw that he had a lot of love affairs when he was a child."

"Isn't that necessary? Our buddy has been liked by girls since he was a child..."

"Ha ha ha ha……"

The topic of the two leading actors and directors on the boat never stopped.

From the duck boat, to the buildings here, and then Ai Qing joined in, and began to popularize the anecdotes of Venice, big and small.

The journey of more than 20 minutes makes people even forget the purpose of coming to Venice.

Purely with a tourist mentality to appreciate the customs of the city.

Soon, after getting off the car beside the Rialto Bridge, Xu Xin glanced at the overcrowded Millennium Bridge...

It was built in 1173... Maybe this thing has the same principle as Zhaozhou Bridge?

I'll have to check it out in a while.

While pondering, everyone came to the cafe opened by Ai Qing's uncle.

Her uncle's name was Alonso, and Lin Gou's first reaction when he heard the name was to ask if he could play football.

After Ai Qing chatted with her uncle for a while, she quickly got permission.

Even helped clear out a table area by the river himself, leaving only a few chairs.

Then start preparing the coffee and meals for the reception.

In less than five or six minutes, Wang Minmin arrived with his people.

"Director Xu."

"Reporter Wang, hello."

They have been friends for several years. Although he is not as familiar with his wife, he is not unfamiliar.

"Congratulations, "The Hawthorn" has received rave reviews."

Looking at Xu Xin who was wearing a microphone with the help of the staff, Wang Minmin said with a smile.

"Haha, thank you. The domestic propaganda will trouble you even more."

"Isn't that what it should be?"

The greetings were polite, the camera was set up, and the four of them were seated.

The camera set up here has attracted the attention of many tourists.

Fortunately, compared with these Asian faces, the Millennium Bridge is more attractive.

In addition, Xu Xin turned his back on them, so the pressure of social fear is not so great for the time being, which is quite natural.

And Wang Minmin, who was no longer that Xiaobai back then, was also confident in his hands.

This time I can make you crooked, I'll take your surname!

"Welcome to the three members of "The Love of the Hawthorn Tree" to accept our interview with "Southern Weekly". Welcome~"

One sentence indicates the beginning of the interview.

"Thank you."

The three thanked in unison.

"Before the interview gets to the point, I have a question. Regarding the evaluation of "The Hawthorn Tree", have you all read it?"

The three looked at each other.

Finally, Xu Xin said:
"Looked."

"Currently it is the sixth in the main competition unit, only 5 points away from "Black Swan", which is hailed as No.0.1 and a strong contender for the Oscars, and has been recognized by many film critics and audiences. To be honest, even us reporters feel that I'm happy... I don't know what the three of you are thinking right now?"

"Uh……"

Xu Xin looked at the two of them again, and seeing that they were both waiting for him to speak, he smiled and said:

"My idea is actually relatively simple. Last night, before the movie was released, my idea was a bit similar... to issue the results of the exam. Anyway, the papers have been handed in, the teacher has finished grading, and I have worked hard. But whether the grades are good or bad, I will I have no idea. And after the movie is released, the report card has been sent out, and after seeing that the test is not bad... My current thoughts are actually not on this movie."

"Oh? Then what does Director Xu want to do most now?"

"Watch a movie, then go for a stroll."

"..."

The corner of Wang Minmin's mouth twitched...

But looking at Xu Xin's calm face, it didn't look like he was joking.

Then I heard Xu Xin continue to say:

"Director Li, director Li Pingdong, isn't he working as the director of photography in the adaptation of Haruki Murakami's "Norwegian Wood"? Yesterday, "The Hawthorn Tree" just ended. But I haven't watched it yet... There are other movies, etc. Today's interview schedule is over, so I went to watch a movie. Look... over there is our translator Ai Qing, a native of Venice. She said at noon that she would take us to a farmhouse in Venice..."

"puff……"

Liu Yifei didn't hold back, and burst out laughing.

Lin Shenxin was also happy:

"I don't know if there is a big harvest here in Venice..."

"Hahahahaha..."

The three of them laughed.

Wang Minmin's complexion became "ugly".

Come again, huh?
Watch me turn around!

So, she looked at Liu Yifei:
"What about you, Liu Yifei? What's your current state of mind?"

"It's the same as him. We plan to go to the movies together, and then try... Dafeng... Puff... Haha..."

"Hahahahahaha..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

No.

These three evildoers are messing with my mind and destroying my Dao heart.

I have to hold on to the Lingtai.

A little clarity can never be broken!
"I'm talking about movies and the fact that you're being recognized for your acting."

"This is..."

The fairy sister who finally became more formal thought about it and said:

"Actually, the example Xu Xin gave is very appropriate. Before the movie was screened yesterday, we were all anxious candidates. But after the results were announced, whether it was awards or recognition, it was all about "The Hawthorn Tree". As an actor, what I need is to prepare for the next work."

Speaking of this, she paused for a moment, and her tone became firmer:
"I hope that after the movie is released, what everyone sees is Jingqiu. And when my next movie is released, what everyone sees is a brand new story."

Wang Minmin's eyes lit up, and she keenly grasped the meaning of her words:
"Do you mean to hide the person "Liu Yifei"?"

"Correct."

Liu Yifei nodded:

"I hope the world will forget me, and just remember the characters on the screen."

Immediately, Wang Minmin grasped the first breaking point of this interview.

After several years of silence, Liu Yifei's mentality seems to be completely different from before.

There's been a mind-shift that's pretty weird...but somehow seems like a good thing.

"Then... do I understand that you are ready to look forward no matter whether the drama wins an award or not?"

"Yeah, I'm already moving forward."

Although she noticed that the topic was turning towards her, she still wanted to take this opportunity to express her point of view.

So after correcting Wang Minmin's statement, she continued:

"The filming of "The Hawthorn Tree" was completed in June. After June, I have already started to move forward. So, for me, it is actually a thing of the past.

I'm looking for the next work, the next one... like "The Hawthorn Tree", the one that allows me to complete everything that the character needs in an isolated place, and mold myself into the character's appearance work.

However, it doesn't mean that I don't value "The Hawthorn Tree" any more.This drama is the painstaking effort of all of us, and I definitely hope that it can be recognized.Because...it's a really great story. "

Before she finished speaking, Xu Xin added a sentence for her:
"These two points do not conflict. An actor's career path is a process of continuous improvement, whether it is her, or Lin Gou...ahem, Lin Xunxin, or me as a director. What we present must be able to Satisfy the requirements in the current story. But the completion of a story already represents the end. Whether it is Liu Yifei or Lin Xunxin, they all have to embark on a new journey again. Is that what you mean?"

Liu Yifei and Lin Juxin nodded at the same time, expressing their agreement:
"Yes, that's what it means."

Seeing him speak, Wang Minmin focused the topic on him again:

"What about you? I heard what Liu Yifei said. You are actually filming this movie...or in other words, you have gained a lot from the whole process from the start of the project to the completion. What about Director Xu? ? What is your harvest?"

"……what?"

Xu Xin was stunned.

what... what?

reward?

What did you gain?
He felt that Wang Minmin didn't understand what he meant.

I also feel that I don't understand what the other party means...

Why do we have to use the word harvest to describe it?It's not about fighting monsters and upgrading...

How much experience can you get from making a movie, and then use these experiences to exchange for some god-level attributes...

Even if he has gained something, it cannot be described in words.

The director's creative method is to interpret the story of the script based on his own cognition.

It does not have a set of fixed programs.

From "Secret" to "The Wind" to this "Hawthorn Tree".

Not to mention Xu Xin himself, even outsiders can tell that this is Xu Xin's style.

Or rather, his perception of the world.

And all the fragment extensions are also based on inspiration and aesthetic perspectives.

But you ask him to tell you what level of inspiration he is now, and what level he has cultivated from the aesthetic point of view... How can he answer it for you?
So, after thinking about it...

"It's really rewarding."

Suddenly, he thought of something and nodded vigorously:

"If there's one big takeaway from the film, for me, it's understanding that pineapple is not included in Italian pizza."

"..."

"..."

"..."

This answer confused Wang Minmin again.

what?
Under her bewildered eyes, Xu Xin said:

"Reporter Wang, do you know? Pineapple is not included in Italian pizza."

"..."

"..."

In the speechless eyes of Liu Yifei and Lin Juxin, Xu Xin suddenly said this.

Wang Minmin was even more confused.

Then I heard Xu Xin say:

"In other words, I understand what is called cultural independence and cultural inclusiveness."

"...?"

Looking at her widened eyes, Xu Xin shrugged:

"That's right, we came over last night..."

After recounting what happened at the stall in front of the University of Venice, he continued:
"Maybe it's the director's occupational disease. When I watch something, I think more. To be honest, although I was selected for the Venice Film Festival, I am very happy. But after I came here, I was in the car and looked at the factory. The information that the person handed me... is the works of this competition, looking at the works of those directors, the resumes of the actors, etc., I am quite guilty."

Sitting up straighter, he said seriously:
"Not to mention anything else, I said "The Hawthorn" is no worse than "Black Swan", do you think I'm crazy?"

"..."

Wang Minmin seemed to understand what he meant, thought for a while, and said:

""Black Swan" has a lot of momentum, and it has even been a hot candidate for the best actress at this year's Venice Film Festival."

"That's right, so, while I'm happy with The Hawthorn in my heart, I'm not really arrogant enough to think that Black Swan is anything like what I've made.

This is what I thought at the time.

To put it bluntly, I am not confident enough, or it may be because Hollywood is the pinnacle of the industry in film history, and its name makes any director have to maintain awe and pressure.Before I came here, I really didn't think about it...including now, I didn't think I would hit Hollywood, I didn't have this idea at all. "

"..."

Wang Minmin didn't say anything.

Because she knew that Xu Xin hadn't finished talking yet.

"But at the owner of the food stand, after seeing him very, very seriously say to me that he would give me an authentic Italian Margherita pizza, I immediately understood the truth.

You see, pizza is Italian, right?Native Italians don’t add pineapple or any bells and whistles.Just flatbread, tomato sauce, basil, olive oil and cheese.This is their food culture that has been passed down to the present day.

However, pizza has gone to other places, whether it is in the United States or other countries, it has been improved according to the tastes of the local people, and it has become a more... international food.

Even I thought pizza with pineapple was a common thing at first.

But I saw the persistence of the stall owner.

I also understand the persistence of the Italians.It turns out that pizza doesn't need to add pineapple or those weird things, and it's also very delicious. "

As he said that, he made a movement of grabbing the air with both hands:
"And you move the pizza to the movie? The pizza sold in Italy in a year is definitely not as many as Pizza Hut in China. Pizza has gone from here to the world. There are so many improved versions, but Italians still insist on the most traditional pizza. How. Why? I think it's at the root of their culture.

Let's put this root culture on the film, let's not discuss the origin of the film for the time being, we simply divide it by language and culture, we belong to the Chinese film market, right?

Foreign films and Hollywood blockbusters were imported, and we saw advanced industrial culture and artistic works.

But we are not Hollywood, we are Chinese films.

Hollywood movies are really great, but what we make are Chinese movies.

So, from this matter, the point that really inspires me is this. "

Although at first glance, when he said "Pizza without pineapples", the big guys thought it was ridiculous.

But as Xu Xin slowly explained why he gave this example, and helped everyone present to nest into the director's perspective a little bit, what he wanted to say...or words, examples, and thoughts in his mind , it became clear little by little.

And his explanation became more and more straightforward:

“Hollywood, Pizza Hut. Pizza with pineapple, durian, anything weird, it’s delicious.

But the traditional pizza that Italians insist on is not bad either.

This is a cultural issue.

Pizza with pineapple, that's cultural inclusiveness.

The Italians insist on the traditional Margherita pizza, which is the independence of culture.

You have to ask me what I learned in the movie "The Hawthorn Tree"... Even if I learned it, I can't tell you clearly.Because the job of director is not a product of industry, it is a very idealistic personal perspective.

Everyone has a different perspective on things, some can empathize, but some are completely different.

For my improvement, it is impossible to describe it from a quantitative perspective.

And what I want to express when I tell you today is that I learned the independence of culture at this food stall.

Whether "The Hawthorn" wins an award is actually not important.The important thing is that I shoot Chinese-language movies.

To fight outside, you must first be safe inside.

For me, it doesn't really matter whether I can win awards at foreign film festivals or what kind of achievements I can achieve.

The most important thing is that I understand that Chinese films are the root of our cultural independence!
It taught me not to go blindly with Hollywood, or to make movies that do not conform to our own three views, but can cater to certain values ​​​​in order to win international awards.

What we make are Chinese-language films, and what we contribute to the world film industry is also the art of Chinese-language films.

What I let you see is our culture, our actors, our movie themes, and... our humanistic spirit.

This is the most essential thing that promotes the prosperity and colorfulness of world film culture.

Italians are still adhering to the tradition when pizza with pineapple goes to the world.

This is not conservative, but respect for one's own culture.

I feel like... at least personally, my films should be as well.

I was born in Chinese films, so I should be rooted here.Present our culture to the world, not follow the crowd.

I think……"

Speaking of this, amidst the silence of the crowd, he nodded firmly:

"That's my greatest achievement."

"..."

"..."

"..."

There was silence.

Not to mention Wang Minmin, even the cameraman, the radio, assistants including Su Meng, and Liu Xiaoli listening beside...

Everyone was silenced by the meaning of Xu Xin's words.

As Wang Minmin, who had the most intuitive feeling, she knew that Xu Xin was right.

Moreover, this answer is really her... the most sober, straightforward, and profound speech she has ever heard in her career.

After these words came out, she knew...

No matter what went wrong in the subsequent interview today, it was just a foil to this deafening summary of cultural roots.

Destined to be the icing on the cake.

In all honesty, these words are really worth a thousand dollars to those domestic filmmakers!
It is an inspiration that can make everyone see the sun!
This passage alone made her interview worthwhile today!
but……

At the same time as this kind of cognition appeared in her heart, she couldn't help showing a strange look in her eyes.

crooked building...

Or are you going to be crooked.

How do you guys go from a piece of pizza to elevating the conversation to this level?

Be nice.

In other words, the soul of a movie is really the director.

You people...

It's really different from others.

(End of this chapter)