director of the millennium

Chapter 39 puts a semicolon on life again.

Zhang Guorong was silent, his eyes swinging back and forth between the script and Wu Yuan's face.

The script of "The Undertaker" is really good.

As an actor who has filmed dozens of movies, Zhang Guorong knows clearly that if this movie can be made, if it is made to a high level, it will indeed be able to win the top three awards in Europe.

Because Europeans and Americans are mysterious about oriental culture, if there is a film that explores the oriental concept of life and death and funeral culture, it will indeed attract their interest.

But it took half a year to make this film, and it took half a year to throw away all other work, which made Zhang Guorong hesitate.

Among the dozens of films he has made, there are only two films whose preparation + filming period exceeds half a year, and that is "Farewell My Concubine" and "Happy Together".

And these two works did live up to expectations and brought him the highest artistic achievements.

Can "The Undertaker" do the same?
Looking at the unacceptably young mainland director in front of him, Zhang Guorong hesitated for a while, but still didn't agree on the spot.

"Director Wu, thank you very much for your willingness to ask me to make a film, but the half-year schedule is not something I can decide in a few words, I'll go back and think about it first."

This result was already expected by Wu Yuan.

He never thought that he could persuade Zhang Guorong to suspend all work and follow him to the mainland to practice in seclusion with just a few words. This was unrealistic.

Zhang Guorong is an Asian superstar!Moreover, Yingge is a double-dweller, with a lot of work to do, how could it be possible to agree to it at the touch of lips, without considering the impact at all.

"It doesn't matter, I will be in Hong Kong Island for a few days, and this movie will not be launched in the near future. I have not finished my work in the United States. You have time to think about it slowly."

"That's right." Wu Yuan thought of something, and said with a smile on the corner of his mouth: "I heard that you also want to be a director, maybe I can help you connect with China Film Group in the Mainland?"

"No film company on Hong Kong Island is willing to take over, but that doesn't mean the mainland doesn't welcome it."

Wu Yuan knew that Zhang Guorong was actually talented as a director.

He has participated in directing film and television works such as "Days of Being Wild", "The Goldenrod" and "A Chinese Ghost Story", although he did not leave his name.

Moreover, the MVs "Dream to Neihe" and "Peerless Youth" directed by him were also shot very well.

As early as 2000, he directed a 30-minute public welfare short film called "Smoke Flying Smoke Extinct" to call for quitting smoking.

From the story to the director of this short film, Zhang Guorong took care of it all, and it took only five days to shoot it!

Although the film is not long, from the plot rhythm, light and shadow art, and shooting techniques, this film can fully reflect Zhang Guorong's directorial talent.

It cannot be said that he has no talent for directing, on the contrary, his talent for directing is quite outstanding.

To be reasonable, there are so many actors in the mainland who are good at acting and directing, and they can do the job of directing impressively. Although they can't make any masterpieces of art, they are more than enough to make commercial films.

Then why can't Zhang Guorong do it?
It's just that it's not popular for actors to switch careers to become directors in this era.

According to the original trajectory, in 2002, he finally prepared the first feature film "Stealing Heart" as a transition director, and all factors such as the script and actors were ready.

As a result, the film investor's company was suddenly seized and the funds were withdrawn, which led to the abortion of the filming plan.

At this time, he was already suffering from physical depression, and this news undoubtedly made him worse.

It's not that Zhang Guorong doesn't have the money to make his own movies, he has the money if he wants, but as an actor, he can't find a film company to distribute it for him. There is a barrier between actors and film capital, which is not so easy to break.

At least on Hong Kong Island, you can’t make movies just because you have money, you have to have connections and connections, and someone is willing to give you a hand and give you a chance.

In fact, it’s the same in mainland China. If you don’t come from the three major colleges, you have no access to major film studios, and it’s basically impossible to be a director.

There are barriers to being a director these days, and it is difficult for even a superstar to transform into a director.

After experiencing the miscarriage of this first feature film, Zhang Guorong was completely depressed, both physically and psychologically.

Later he wrote in his autobiography: "I think I may be a little bit depressed, and the reason may be that I am dissatisfied with myself, others, and even more dissatisfied with the world. Those days were really dark."

It can be seen that the shattering of the director's dream caused an irreparable blow to him who was suffering from depression.

Since Wu Yuan wanted to change him, of course he had to solve some problems that might lead to psychological depression.

Don't you just want to be a director?

There are a lot of superstars on Hong Kong Island, and all of them can sell at the box office. Those film companies look down on a movie with "Director Zhang Guorong" and are unwilling to take the risk of losing the box office.

But the mainland is short of superstars!

If Hong Kong Island can't do it, it doesn't mean the mainland can't do it!
Now China Film is short of new-generation directors, and Director Han is talking every day about the hope that there will be more directors who can sell box office.

China Film is very happy to let Zhang Guorong go north to develop, and will support him whether he is an actor or a director!

These three words "Zhang Guorong" can sell box office in the mainland!

I don't know how many inland women's Bai Yueguang Zhang Guorong's Ning Caichen is!

"The True Colors of a Hero" and "Across the World" filmed by him and Xiao Ma are even idols in the hearts of countless men in the Mainland!
Regardless of whether he is an actor or a director, as long as his name is on the movie poster, it is worth 1000 million at the box office!
If he is willing to direct and act on his own, that would be even better!
It's just that the two sides have always lacked a communication channel!

Zhang Guorong never thought of contacting China Film in the Mainland, and China Film had no idea that Zhang Guorong was preparing to direct a film.

Wu Yuan can definitely be the matchmaker in the middle, it's just a matter of talking, why not do it?
In this way, Zhang Guorong will not have time to spend on Hong Kong Island for the next whole year!

Followed Wu Yuan for half a year in "The Undertaker" and half a year for my own "Stealing Heart"!
After these two films were filmed, both the body and the soul were healed properly!

depression?
Zhang Guorong, who is happily busy working on his first film, has no time to be depressed!
It has to be said that Wu Yuan's last suggestion deeply moved Zhang Guorong.

The dream of directing has been his dream since he retired from the music scene in 89.

When he was interviewed by the media, he once said: "I think the director is the soul of the movie. I hope that one day I can fulfill my wish and make a movie."

Since 2000, he has been working hard for this dream, trying to make a short film for public welfare, which has received a good response from the industry, but the preparation of his first feature-length film is still not smooth.

Few film companies on Hong Kong Island are willing to take over the film, and they all persuade him to continue working as an actor, and there is no need to be a director.

At this time, Wu Yuan offered to help him connect with the China Film Group in the mainland. It's no wonder Zhang Guorong wasn't tempted by this proposal!
In his heart, Zhang Guorong was already inclined to nod in agreement with Wu Yuan, and sold his hundred catties to him.

It's just that the inner reason finally took over.

Clutching the script of "The Undertaker" tightly in his hand, Leslie Cheung stood up and smiled shyly at Wu Yuan: "I will seriously consider Director Wu's proposal."

"I'll give you an answer as soon as possible."

After finishing speaking, he shook hands with Wu Yuan again, indicating that he needs to leave.

He was afraid that if he didn't leave again, he would really be persuaded by Wu Yuan's penetrating tongue.

Wu Yuan got up to see him off, with a smile on his face: "Zhang Sheng, go slowly."

Nod, smile, and close the door again.

Standing at the door of the box, Zhang Guorong took a deep breath, suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart, and walked out.

Coincidentally, at this time, his song was playing in the tea restaurant.

"When the wind blows again, silently this heart no longer cares about and runs."

"Even if I want Yiyi to go home with tears, I'm willing."

"In these precious years, I am looking for the poetry in my heart."

Hearing this song, Zhang Guorong paused.

"When the Wind Rises Again" was his farewell to the music scene in 1989.

At that time, Zhang Guorong thought that this song brought an end to his career.

But it turned out later that this was just a semicolon.

But now, he once again stood at the threshold of life's choice.

Will this choice mark a new semicolon for his life?
he does not know.

But he hopes.

(End of this chapter)