1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 265 Goodbye, Mi
Arthur Miller shook his head when he heard Lin Weimin's words, "I'm afraid I don't have that much energy!"

Only then did Lin Weimin remember that the old man will soon be 70 years old.

He felt a little regretful, and said, "If that's the case, I suggest you choose "Untouchable"."

Facing Arthur Miller's gaze, he continued: "If this drama wants to be moved to the mainland of the United States, the adaptation needs to be done is very small, and it can also be regarded as a test of the water."

Arthur Miller nodded and said, "You're right!"

He has seen both works, no matter which one is very good, he feels a little bit reluctant to let it go.

But the reality is that if he wants to bring Lin Weimin's works to the United States, he must do it himself, two are too many.

Why not try the water first, as Lin Weimin said.

Arthur Miller agreed with Lin Weimin and took away "Untouchable".

At the same time, in the backstage of the Renyi rehearsal field, everyone was talking about it.

"Mr. Miller really wants to bring Mr. Lin's works to the United States?"

"100%! Otherwise, can we suddenly act in these two plays?"

"Hey, Zhuang Zhuang, didn't Teacher Lin tell you?"

Someone asked Han Zhuangzhuang, he shook his head, "I've been filming on the set recently, and I haven't met my uncle."

Everyone looked different.

"If these two dramas go to the United States to perform, then we will be awesome!" Someone said with anticipation.

"What are you thinking? Going to the United States to perform has nothing to do with us. It is impossible for people to drag us to the United States. There must be another edition in the United States."

"Look at your thoughts, vulgar! Who said you're going to America? I mean, our play will be famous by then, and it will be considered glory for the country."

Han Zhuangzhuang remembered a word Lin Weimin said before, "This is called cultural export!"

Everyone clapped their hands and shouted: "Yes, yes, yes, cultural output, the word strong is a good one."

Han Zhuangzhuang scratched his head, "I just listened to what my uncle said."

Everyone couldn't help sighing: "Teacher Lin is indeed a great literati!"

In the auditorium of the rehearsal, Lin Weimin was still chatting with Arthur Miller.

After deciding which play to bring back to the United States, Arthur Miller's problem was solved, and he asked the original question again.

"Lin, come with me to America!"

Arthur Miller was very sincere, but Lin Weimin still shook his head.

"Why?" Being rejected again, Arthur Miller was even more puzzled.

In the 80s, there were many Chinese writers going abroad. Many of them were invited to visit abroad. Among them, there were very few official invitations, and most of them were invited by informal private institutions.

For example, the famous International Writing Program of the University of Iowa in the United States has invited many famous Chinese writers to the United States for exchange visits. This writing exchange program started in 81 and continued until 2000.

A writer who was invited to participate in this writing project expressed the experience in this way when he recalled it many years later:

"It was only later that I gradually understood the nature of this event, which was founded by Nie Hualing and Paul Angell.

They get some money, once a year, mainly for developing countries, so those who go there are from the so-called "problem countries", and the session we went to was the session with the most "problems". "

Since there are countries with "problems", there will naturally be countries with "no problems". Who is this country?

it goes without saying.

To explain it in Chinese, this is called the barrel station.

80% of the writers who were unofficially invited to visit in the 99s experienced this kind of experience.

Of course, Arthur Miller's invitation to Lin Weimin was more of an official nature, and it was definitely not as exaggerated as those invitations.

But at the same time, he is also very clear that he will not be any better than those writers if he goes to the United States.

The reason is simple, not famous.

This is not a question of whether you are Chinese or American, but whether you are famous or not.

Don't think that doing drama in the United States is very noble. In many cases, the situation of the people in the United States who do drama is not even as good as that in China.

At this time in China, it is a planned economy, and the gap between the rich and the poor is very small. Playing dramas is regarded as a literary and artistic worker, and the happiness index is very high.

Go to Broadway in New York to see, there are unknown musical and drama actors all over the street, and there are very few actors who can really make their mark, and some of them can't even pay the rent.

Most people who engage in drama in the United States do not live so chicly.

On the contrary, jumping out of this industry, such as switching to the film and television industry, almost all become rich.

This has to be said to be a huge irony.

The locals all have this virtue, let alone Lin Weimin, an outsider.

Therefore, even if it was an invitation from Arthur Miller, a well-known playwright, Lin Weimin refused directly without hesitation.

Lin Weimin was willing to let Arthur Miller bring his works to the United States. Anyway, he was just testing the waters, and there was no loss if he failed.

But let him go to the United States now?
Not interested in!
He's not a bunch of young people who have been brainwashed by all kinds of public opinion propaganda. The United States is a free country, and the air in the United States is sweet...

No name and no money, you are a fart everywhere!

Arthur Miller deeply regretted Lin Weimin's unhesitating refusal, and kept saying "Lin, you really should go to Broadway".

Lin Weimin understands his appreciation for himself, but this kind of appreciation cannot be eaten as food.

Going to the United States by yourself is impossible to receive such treatment from Arthur Miller in China, so why bother to ask for trouble.

Determined to bring "The Untouchable" to Broadway in the United States, the first thing Arthur Miller had to do was to find a reliable translator to translate the script into English.

The first thing that comes to mind is naturally Ying Ruocheng, the translator who translated "Death of a Salesman" into Chinese.

Ying Ruocheng's nickname in Renyi is "Ying Dawen". He graduated from the Foreign Language Department of Shuimu University and is a well-known talent in Renyi.When he was studying in Mizuki, he was a man of the school drama club.

Because he is proficient in English and familiar with the stage language, Ying Ruocheng led the translation of "Death of a Salesman" introduced by Renyi this time.

Arthur Miller did not understand Chinese, and Ying Ruocheng provided him with great help in the process of directing the Chinese version of "Death of a Salesman", so Arthur Miller trusted Ying Ruocheng very much.

"Mr. Ying, I will trouble you!" Lin Weimin said politely to Ying Ruocheng.

Ying Ruocheng smiled all over her face, "Mr. Lin, it is the pride of all of us that your works can go abroad. I will definitely do my best."

After the translation is found, the next time is to wait.

There were only a few days left before Arthur Miller left China. Mr. Wan specially spared time to treat him to a meal, and Lin Weimin was also brought to accompany the guests.

After coming out of the Yanjing Hotel, Mr. Wan asked, "I heard that Mr. Miller invited you to the United States, why didn't you agree?"

Lin Weimin smiled and said, "I thought you wouldn't know how to ask!"

Then, he said frankly: "Let's consider a few aspects. In terms of drama, I can actually do very little. Lao Mi's drama is also quite poor, and he probably doesn't make much money. The drama may not be famous if it is performed in public. .You said, why did I go there?"

Mr. Wan laughed dumbfounded.

"You, you, you really don't look like a literati! You don't suffer any time!"

"You have wronged me. I gave the script of "The Untouchable" to Mr. Miller, but I didn't ask for a penny!" Lin Weimin shouted.

Mr. Wan said, "Did you ask for the performance share?"

"Then you can't let me do free work for others, can you? I share the risk with my international friend, Lao Mitou!"

Mr. Wan saw that he was no longer young or old, so he couldn't help scolding: "Do you also call me Old Wantou behind your back?"

Lin Weimin quickly waved his hands, "Don't dare to talk nonsense. You are my dear teacher, can you be the same as Lao Mitou?"

Mr. Wan hummed twice and couldn't help laughing.

There was a bit of relief on his face.

I am gratified that my students are not so superficial, and they are not lost by the little profit in front of them.

The next day, "Death of a Salesman" was officially premiered.

As one of the most influential dramas in the American drama industry, the performance of "Death of a Salesman" quickly attracted the attention of Yanjing drama circles, drama lovers and the media, and the Capital Theater became lively again.

Arthur Miller's mission of being invited to China can be regarded as complete completion.

A few days later, Lin Weimin accompanied Mr. Wan to the airport to see him off. The specifications were similar to when he arrived. In addition to the comrades from Renyi, several comrades from the Ministry of Culture and Yanjing City also came with him.

"Lin, it's a pity that you didn't agree to my request!" Before parting, Arthur Miller said again.

Lin Weimin held Arthur Miller's hand, "Old friend! Not going to the United States this time does not mean that I will not go in the future. Maybe I will go to your United States to hold a signing event in two years!"

Arthur Miller laughed loudly, "I look forward to that day, when the time comes, I will definitely go to cheer you on!"

"You have to remember what you said!" Lin Weimin laughed.

"A word is settled!"

"A word is settled!"

So Zhizhi looked at Lin Weimin and Arthur Miller's free and easy communication, like old friends, his eyes were full of envy.

"Teacher Lin really has everyone's demeanor!" The comrades in Yanjing City suddenly sighed.

So he nodded in agreement.

Everyone participated in the reception work. Compared with Mr. Lin's relaxed and friendly attitude towards Arthur Miller, when everyone received Arthur Miller, they were always respectful, reserved, and sometimes even cautious. .

You must know that the other party is in the theater circle of the United States, but he is a person of Mr. Wan's status!
Watching Arthur Miller walk into the boarding gate, the farewell mission is over.

Lin Weimin joked: "Comrade Miller didn't come in vain this time. He sent "Death of a Salesman" to China, and took away "Intouchables". Reciprocity!"

Several people around laughed.

(End of this chapter)